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Here's a short summary of each of the mission activities we currently support around the world.

Cliff and Lynn Allen are our missionaries in England. Cliff was born and raised in Streator, Illinois. Cliff attended Lincoln Christian College and Springdale College in England. While he was in England he met Lynn. Back in 1981-1982 Cliff served as a missionary helping with Christians behind the Iron Curtain. They currently minister at a church in Tunbridge Wells, England. They have three children Naomi, Philip and Daniel. Their mission is called "The London and South-East Bridge." 

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, in Lincoln, Illinois has been preparing Christian Leaders for ministry in the local church, on the mission field, or in parachurch organizations for more than fifty years. LCC & LCS are known for academic excellence with a global perspective. Alumni serve in every state and 36 other countries. You can learn more about the college and seminary by checking out their web page: www.lccs.edu.

Jane and Jesus (Chuy) Ramirez (back row, right), minister to the church in Yauco, Peurto Rico. They have three grown children and two grandchildren. Jane and Chuy's ministries also include a Christian camp in Puerto Rico. One of the most recent themes for a Ladies' Retreat was taken from Psalm 31:15 "My times are in your hands." The Ramirez have always served God with this perspective and want others to know that our Creator God has all of us in His hands. Their mission is know as "Caribe Christian Mission".

"Appointed Times Ministry" is led by missionaries Lonnie and Coral (Lillie) Mings. The Mings had been missionaries in Japan for 25 years before coming to Israel. Lonnie teaches at Israel College of the Bible and Christian Friends of Israel. They also work with a Japanese congregation. A scripture God laid on their heart is from Psalms 102:13 "You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come."

Carrol Fulford is a native of South Africa. He is a graduate of Minnesota Bible College. He married his wife Martha in 1981. They work with several groups, including a new church in Summer Greens, South Africa, as well as Bible studies in Edgemead and Plattkloof. Our own Shirley Camp from here in Streator is their forwarding agent. 

Eric Elder and his wife Lana, run an Internet outreach called "The Ranch" which is designed to help people around the world grow in their faith in Christ. The purpose of Eric Elder Ministries is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by any and all means, including but not limited to the Internet, radio, television, publications, and various evangelistic outreaches. You can learn more about their ministry by going to their web site: www.theranch.org.

Northern European Evangelism is the ministry of Randy and Katy Smelser. Randy is a graduate of Ozark Bible College and his wife Katy is a graduate of Milligan. They both met while working on the mission field with TCM (working behind the iron curtain). They married in 1989. Their ministry now is to bring Christ to Germany. They have currently begun a congregation in Peine, Germany. They evangelize through personal contacts and home Bible Studies and they participate in camps and retreat programs in Europe. The Smelsers also help train new missions recruits though an internship program.

Haitian Christian Outreach partners with Haitian Christians to develop disciples for a lasting impact through the continuation of the Gospel. They primarily work in and around the Port-Au-Prince area of Haiti. The two Haitian ministers, pictured on either side of current Executive Director, Steve Collins is Roro Eustache left and Gerard Eustache right. Roro started Emmanuel Christian Church in 1985. Now joined by his brother, the work continues to grow and includes, along with the church, educational facilities and a feeding program.

Richard (Dick) and Edith (Edie) Hugoniot, have been missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators for more than 30 years. They have worked in many parts of the world, but presently Dick is the President of Wycliffe. They have raised three children on the mission field. Their heart's desire is that the World would know Jesus. You can find out more about Wycliffe at: www.wycliffe.org.

As a major philosophy, the mission structure of the Dominican Republic is to allow national workers or indigenous people to lead their own congregations. The current minister we support is Freddy Rodriguez. American missionaries, Rick and Suzanne York, report back to us concerning the work. In past years, several from our congregation have gone to work in the Dominican Republic for several weeks at a time.

Kagoshima Christian Mission's missionaries are Walter and Mary Maxey (shown in the center of their family photo). Walter is the second generation of his family to work in Japan. We here at Central began supporting Walter's parent many years ago. Walter's work includes home Bible studies, prison Bible studies and camp work, as well as regular ministries in the church.

Rock River Christian Camp is about 100 miles northwest of Streator. This is a place of retreat and refreshment for all ages. Summer is the busiest time for camps and retreats.  However, with the addition of some all-season buildings, the camp now has year round use. The camp environment offers a wonderful opportunity to stop and look at one's life and relationship to Jesus Christ. Learning about Jesus Christ and how to grow in Him is the major thrust of RRCC. 

USA

Christian Campus programs at U of I (Champaign, IL) and ISU (Normal, IL) both help strengthen Christian fellowship and growth on university campuses.

We also support the National Conventions and outreach programs of Christian Churches. These include The North American Christian Convention (N.A.C.C.), an annual gathering of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ; The National Missionary Convention, also an annual meeting when we can gather to learn of all our missions around the world supported by Christian Churches; and Christ in Youth, better known as CIY, which affords our teens an opportunity to gather with other Christian teens from various parts of the USA to grow and fellowship.