CBC Students: Willing to Go

CBC-Colorado student, Nadine Reitz, shares the love of God with a little girl in Nicaragua. (Click to enlarge)Charis Bible College-Colorado sent a 33 person mission team to Nicaragua in April. The group, led by Bruce and Joyce Ball, had the privilege of being hosted by Andrew's friends, Karen and Darey Jolley, and their ministry, Ambassadors to the Nations. Ambassadors is an international missions ministry, the focus of which is meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the poorest communities in Central and North America through short-term mission projects.

CBC-Colorado's 2013 Nicaragua team. (Click to enlarge)This CBC team ministered primarily to children in Managua, the Granada Islands and on the Island of Ometepe. The students performed skits, street dramas and puppet shows to engage the youth. They also preached, offered prayer, and passed out food, toys and necessities to the community.

While the humanitarian aid and ministry were warmly received, the CBC students could not look past the hurt behind many of the children's eyes. The pain perceived by CBC student, Marie Marsden, overwhelmed her. Marie said she saw sadness in many of the littlest girls and some middle and high school-aged children. "My heart just broke for them. I know that sexual abuse is rampant in Nicaragua. I was told by a team member from Ambassadors to the Nations that one out of every three girls is sexually violated on a regular basis," Marie shared.

Marie Marsden (right) with several Nicaraguan young ladies.
(Click to enlarge)The team saw some difficult living situations, particularly for the children. Marie came upon these situations regularly, and began to feel weighed down, so she turned to the Holy Spirit for comfort. In spite of the language barrier between Marie and the Spanish speaking communities, God was not hindered in moving among each and every divine encounter Marie experienced. "Not being able to speak the language, in some ways, made it easier to focus intently on the leading of the Holy Spirit while we were ministering. We saw the Spirit of God touch people’s hearts and lives—moving them to tears. We also saw bondages loosed, and the spirit of joy released in those for whom we prayed. Most enjoyable were the smiles which came from the beautiful children’s faces. Sadly though, we were not able to draw smiles from all the children," said Marie.

Gillian Moore (right).
(Click to enlarge)Gillian Moore was also touched by her trip to Nicaragua, and her experience solidified her call to the mission field. Through this trip, Gillian was able to see God working all things together for good. Before she left for Central America, the Lord brought people, even some unbelievers, to help her prepare for her journey. People at work found out that Gillian was going on a mission trip, and they offered to provide the supplies she needed for the journey. Gillian said, "They really did help. They gathered crafts and toys, candy, women’s articles, and clothing. They pretty much filled my check-in bag, and we were able to distribute these items all over the place."

Gillian enjoyed the ministry in Nicaragua, the laughing, playing and dancing, and she said it was a rewarding experience. Among those to whom Gillian was able to minister were the two children she sponsors through Ambassadors' Sponsorship Program. "I was able to meet both of my sponsored children in Ometepe, and together with a fellow student, was able to minister to the mother of my one young boy who was in a difficult home situation. I am trusting that this home will continue to CBC Student, Jon Wolter, helps to paint the walls behind these young boys. (Click to enlarge)grow in the love of the Lord because of this ministry," she said.

Both Marie and Gillian mentioned the simplicity of making a difference in someone's life; it is the willingness to say, "Here I am Lord, send me."

I believe God is calling me to missions in the future, and going to Nicaragua has rekindled a flame that I thought had died out. I believe God wants His children to hear His heart, His love for the nations, and be willing to go. I am saying, "Here I am, Lord—Send me!"

Meet the Eastwoods, Directors of CBC-Kansas City

Mark and Charla Eastwood, Directors of Charis Bible College in Kansas City. (Click to enlarge)Mark and Charla Eastwood met in rural Kansas in 1990, and both truly believed they were born again. But when they realized that neither of their lives showed any visible fruit of the peace and joy that Jesus has promised to those who follow Him, they knew something wasn’t right.

As they sought the Lord, He led them to watch Kenneth Copeland’s television program, where they heard truths of God’s Word that they had never before been taught. Once they got a glimpse of all God had for them, they became immersed in learning more of His Word and His ways: “We learned about Mark and Charla on their second-year mission trip to Mexico in 2001.
(Click to enlarge)divine healing, which we knew nothing about,” says Mark. “I prayed for Charla, and the sinus headaches she’d been plagued with almost daily for more than two decades were gone, never to return. We were off and running!”

After several years of walking with the Lord in a Spirit-led relationship, God put it on their hearts to attend Bible college. They had no idea where to begin searching for a Bible college, but God did. God led Mark into a conversation on his construction job site one day, and he was given a cassette tape of one of Charla teaching in Mexico. The outreach began while there was still daylight, and according to Charla, there were not many in attendance. By the time the team gave an altar call, more than 120 people came forward from the shadows to receive Jesus. Out of darkness into the Light! (Click to enlarge)Andrew’s teachings.

After learning more about Andrew and his ministry, they also discovered that he had a Bible college. At the time, Charis Bible College (CBC) Colorado was Andrew’s only college, so the Eastwoods began their studies via the correspondence program. After finishing their first-year courses, they relocated to Colorado Springs to complete the second-year program.

At CBC, the Eastwoods learned about God’s grace and love, how to live victorious Christian lives, and how to pray effectively—for themselves and for others. Charla recalls, “We were trained to minister. We volunteered on the prayer line, we effectively ministered discipleship, and we even traveled to other countries to minister.” In May of 2001, In 2012, the Eastwoods became the Directors of CBC-Kansas City. Here students attend class at the extension school. (Click to enlarge)the Eastwoods became graduates of CBC-Colorado.

Upon graduation, Mark and Charla returned to Kansas and began serving as prayer ministers at Gospel Truth Seminars around the country. “Using the training we had received at school, along with the opportunity for practical application, we were able to minister God’s love and grace to hundreds—seeing signs, wonders, and miracles following,” said Mark.

During this time, God arranged many divine appointments for the Eastwoods, and they began holding local Bible Mark and Charla speaking during a special event. CBC-Colorado's Healing School held a special seminar at CBC-Kansas City. (Click to enlarge) studies and meetings, where they taught the Discipleship Evangelism program while ministering and praying for people. In 2011, God opened a door for them to intern with CBC-Kansas City when the director, Cody Hull, relocated to Houston to start a new CBC. In March 2012, the Eastwoods were chosen to take the helm as directors at CBC-Kansas City.

“The 2012-2013 school year has been an exciting one,” said Charla. “The college relocated, we have all- new classes for first-year students, and we have hungry students who are learning Mark (center) praying for a pastor in Nicaragua. To Mark's left is CBC-Florida's Director, Danon Winter. (Click to enlarge)and growing quickly... Our second-year class has already been on a mission trip to Nicaragua, where they saw blind eyes opened and many physical ailments healed, along with salvations and baptisms in the Holy Spirit.”

Mark and Charla have caught Andrew’s vision of planting Charis Bible Colleges all over the world. They have seen firsthand how the message of God’s goodness and grace that is taught at CBC is both life giving and life changing. As the newest directors of CBC-Kansas City, the Eastwoods have the opportunity to impact their home community—and ultimately the world—in a bigger way than they ever thought possible. And it all started with a teaching tape that led them to CBC over ten years ago.

CBC Students Visit Berlin & Cologne

CBC-Colorado staff and students in front of the Berlin Cathedral, Oberpfarr- und Domkirche (Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church). (Click to enlarge)Germany has become a ministry hotspot for Charis Bible College students from Colorado. While every CBC mission trip offers its participants ample opportunity to pour out the love of God in the surroundings of a foreign land, the teams that have visited Berlin over the past few years seem to have had decidedly different experiences than that of the other teams. Perhaps it is because street ministry in Germany more closely resembles ministry in a metropolitan American setting than that of a third-world nation; the people, with whom the ministry is shared, are just as needy in spirit, but they are not trapped by economic shortage. Whatever the case, to see those whose bondage stems more from having society's advantages, than from poverty and lack, receive Christ, provides a different sense of joy.

Students performing a drama in the center of Berlin, Alexanderplatz, with the International World Clock in the background. (Click to enlarge)In mid-April, 23 students and three leaders from Colorado Springs, including, CBC Mission Coordinator, Michelle Patterson, visited Cologne and Berlin. For nearly two weeks, the Colorado team was hosted by Jeff and Barb Serio and their Berlin-based ministry, European Initiative, and they spent most of their time ministering on the streets and in the open spaces of both cities.

Some aspects of the street ministry were a stretch for one CBC student, Justin McCormick. "I was way outside of my element," Justin said, "Dancing and skits just aren't my thing. However, I was committed to doing the Lord's work."

Although Justin soon realized that the trip was not about what he was comfortable with, but about blessing the people of Germany, he found that he was having limited success ministering to After watching one of the street performances, the two young ladies (left of center) had just received Jesus.
(Click to enlarge)the people after each performance. Justin asked God to show him what the problem was, and God quickly responded. Justin said, "I asked God, 'What's the deal?' He said, 'Quit leaning unto your own understanding. Trust me, and I will fill your mouth.'"

Instantly, Justin thought of Proverbs 3:5-6 and Revelation 12:11, and with newfound boldness, he approached two girls from the crowd and began to tell them about the skit they had just watched. As he spoke, he asked if they had ever heard of Jesus, to which they both replied, "No." As he shared Christ, he stopped mid-sentence and looked at the girl to his left and said, "You have heard of Jesus. In fact, you have heard a lot about Him, and have been considering asking Him into your heart." The girl began to cry, and the Holy Spirit prompted Justin to share more with her. Moments later, she accepted Marcus Gresham (second from right) stands with some young men who received Jesus as their Savior.
(Click to enlarge)Jesus as her Savior.

"On this trip I learned to trust God and let Him do the work. I stepped out in faith, and He did the rest," said Justin.

CBC student, Marcus Gresham, also found that as he spoke to the people of Germany, the Lord filled his mouth with His words. Marcus said, "Sometimes I spoke to groups as large as ten people. No matter the size, the Holy Spirit downloaded everything to me that I was to say to them. It was just like the instructors of CBC have taught—God will give you the right words to speak in that moment of time. The results were astounding! I personally was able to see 33 people make the decision to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior."

The CBC team working with another ministry, Christliches Jugendzentrum Orenienburg, to help remodel a home to be used for child foster care.
(Click to enlarge)Another CBC student, Tim Spadino, came across a group of Muslim students visiting from nearby Belgium. Tim found that one student was suffering with pain from a broken knee, and he offered to pray for him. "I offered to pray and he accepted, so Jeff [Serio] and I put our hands on his knee and commanded the pain to leave. Then I asked him to move it around, and he got super excited and started running around and saying, 'It's a miracle!' His teachers came over and asked what was going on. With a big smile, I told them to ask the boy about his knee. Then I got to tell them that Jesus was the One that healed him. They had to leave before anybody could accept Jesus, but I'm confident that this will change their view about Jesus—a little bit."

Letting Jesus' light shine in Germany—Hard to miss enthusiasm like this! (Click to enlarge)With each mission trip to Germany, more and more seeds are planted in the hearts of the German people, and the harvest for each team continues to grow. “This is my third time to lead a team to Germany, and I can see God moving, opening doors and transforming lives. The first team we took in 2011, only saw two people receive Christ. In 2012, we saw 44 salvations, and now this year, we had 121 people to accept Christ during our street ministry...The people are hungry, searching and opening up to receive," said Michelle.