In an effort to keep our congregation vitally connected with the work of Christian missions around the world, ACAC has endeavored to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with ministries on different continents. To date, Five such partnerships have been established with works in Guatemala, Syri@ ,Kenya, and Cambodia. An additional partnership between the WPA District plus Russia is managed by ACAC. Go to Russia District Partnership Page for more information (menu located to left).

These partnerships each have unique designs and ministry objectives, but are similar in that they offer opportunities for ACAC members to make significant contributions to the ministries of our international partners, perhaps by participating in short term mission trips to these lands. In return, participants invariably see the Lord enlarge their hearts and stretch their understanding concerning His great love for every person in every people group around the world. (John 3:16)  

Below we offer a brief introduction to each of our mission partnerships. For more information, or to inquire as to how you can serve in the work of the partnership or as part of an upcoming short term mission team, please contact the Partnership Director. 

Our missions partnership in Guatemala began in a rather informal manner when one of our church members, Dr. Daniel Holt, a physician, began inviting others to join him in medical missions to one of the poorest communities in the western hemisphere, Chichicastenango, Guatemala. In short order Dan was leading several teams a year to serve in this way, and many in our church family were profoundly moved by this work.

In recent years, we have adopted this work as a partnership outreach of the church. For many, their participation in a short term mission to Guatemala is their first taste of cross-cultural missions work, and the field serves well in this capacity for several reasons, including:

• low travel costs (in comparison to other fields)
• 7-8 day trips
• same time zone (no jet lag)
• good overnight accommodations for teams of any size

Nonetheless, the work in "Chichi" is varied and challenging. In 2009 and beyond, one of our major projects will be to help the local Christian leaders by building small communities of homes for poor families that for many will offer their first opportunity to rise above a mere subsistence-level existence. Also, an ACAC couple, Josh and Leigh Sevick, will be moving to Chichi as full-time international workers/Gospel Messengers. Josh will work in the area of community development, while his wife, Leigh, will serve as the in-country host for short term teams like those from ACAC.

Dr. Daniel Holt serves as the Director of the Guatemala Mission Partnership.  

Guatemala Partnership - Mission Bog   

ACAC partners with the national Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in the nation of Syri@ in their efforts to shine the light of the gospel in this predominantly Muslim land. There are approximately 17 C&MA churches in Syri@, all part of a small evangelical presence that represents approx. 1% of the total population.

Contrary to what many Americans might think, these churches are legal in Syri@. However, evangelical Christians are viewed with suspicion by the majority culture, and sharing the good news outside of the church buildings is strictly forbidden. However, the faith of our brothers and sisters in Syri@, and their determination to let their light shine is truly an encouragment to any who visit this land. And the hospitality of the Syri@n people knows no bounds.

Our ministry efforts have been directed to helping the national church in leadership development, including work with college-age students and church leaders, Iraqi refugee relief, and creating a medical/dental clinic that serves as an outreach in a poor neighborhood in the capital city of D@mascus. 

Although the situation in Syria is not stable, the Lord is using the program of bible quizzing to bless the churches.  The kids in the whole country are enjoying the scriptures as new churches are starting the program.

In Jordan, the Latin Churches are interested to start the program. Their new challenge is to get approval from the newly appointed Bishop for the Latin Churches. They need his approval to allow them to start using the program in their schools as part of their own curriculum.

We praise the Lord for that and we are waiting in expectation for what the Lord is about to do in Jordan.

Raeda just traveled to Jordan to plan and train the church leaders

                                                                                                 The Director of the Syri@n Partnership is Kate Shaugnessy  

      Syri@ Partnership - Mission Blog

The newest of our 3 ACAC Mission Partnerships centers on work in the West African nation of Kenya. Gospel Messengers, Dr. Chuck and Amy Bemm (and their children), serve with World Gospel Mission at the very highly regarded Tenwek Hospital in Kenya. However, apart from their work at the hospital, the Bemms have volunteered their time to work with several orphanages located in communities not far from Tenwek.

Fast forward to 2006 when ACAC member, Deb Lantz, took advantage of some vacation time to visit Africa and volunteer her services to help the Bemms in their ministry. Deb's life was forever changed by this "vacation", and in short order the Lord used her to draw others' attention to the plight of these orphans, and from these beginnings a new missions partnership at ACAC was formed.

In August 2008, the Bemms returned to the Pittsburgh area and ACAC for their furlough year. However, the very active Kenya Team has continued to work to refine the direction of our efforts so as to yield the greatest Kingdom results. Of immediate concern is the effect that a severe famine in Kenya will have on the most vulnerable orphanages. Unfortunately, this famine is largely man-made... political strife in Kenya caused the planting season to be missed, leading to severe present-day shortages and high food prices throughout the country.

Through contacts that the Bemms have in Kenya, ACAC is helping to provide funds for extra food for 3 orphanages that have been particularly hard hit. The Kenya Team will be monitoring this situation closely, even as plans are being made to return a short term team from ACAC to Kenya later this year.

Deb Lantz continues as Director of the Kenya Partnership Team. 

Kenya Partnership - Mission Blog