Internationals USA, headed for the last 11 years by Ivanildo Trindade (pictured), has announced some major structural changes. Excerpted here is part of the announcement from IUSA board member David Lawson, executive pastor of the Wooster, OH, Grace Brethren Church.
We are writing this letter to all Grace Brethren Churches across the nation, as well as the financial contributors and prayer supporters of the ministries of Internationals USA, Inc. (IUSA). This letter will inform you about some imminent changes within our ministry, which we hope will create some new opportunities to reach internationals for Christ in the U.S. through the FGBC.
For almost 11 years now, God has used the ministry of Internationals USA to raise the awareness and equip our Fellowship for the task of reaching internationals living among us. We believe God has used the ministry of IUSA to leave an indelible mark in our Fellowship. We are very thankful to Pastor Ivanildo Trindade for his leadership throughout these years.
As a board, we felt it was our responsibility to ensure that the vision, energy, and trust for the ministry to reach internationals for Christ would continue to grow under capable and godly leadership.
After considering different options, we turned to the one that made most sense under the circumstances: We decided to entrust the ministries of IUSA to Grace Brethren International Missions (GBIM). We have dialogued extensively with GBIM’s top leaders and believe that reaching internationals for Christ in the U.S. is a high value and a cherished goal within their mission.
Indeed, they are already embarking on nationwide initiatives to make disciples of the nations within the U.S. We are convinced that the torch is being passed to capable hands and expect that the race to bring internationals to Christ will continue to the finish line. We are excited about this change and want to encourage all of you to continue making IUSA a priority in your prayers and giving.
While some of the details of this change are still being discussed, we can tell you now that GBIM has named Jay Bell as coordinator for IUSA, and he will assume the leadership of this ministry sometime in August. We are in full support of this move. Jay has been one of the great champions of the cause to reach internationals, even before IUSA came into being. We believe he will do a great job and ask you to pray for him as he takes on this responsibility.
As for Pastor Ivanildo, he has been offered and accepted the position of Associate Pastor of Outreach Ministries at Wooster GBC. His family will be moving there sometime in Midsummer. We are excited for this new opportunity God is opening up for the Trindades and ask you to pray that God will use them mightily as they serve Him in Wooster, OH.
If you would like to contact the Trindades directly, you may call them (805-501-0663), e-mail them (intlusa@aol.com) or write them at their new address in Wooster: 3309 Colton Ct. Wooster OH 44691.