Prayer Requests and Updates from 01/01 – 01/14/25
01/14/25 Prayer Request Update– (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Sherry Garrett (Lynn Haven, FL) On Wednesday 01/08, Sherry’s blood pressure was very high and had tingling in her right hand and face. After being admitted to the ER and subsequent CT scan it was determined she had a mild stroke caused by a tiny blood vessel in the brain that closed off. They continued to run more tests while she was in the hospital. She is now home, and still experiencing difficulties as a result of the stroke. Please keep her in your prayers as she recovers.
01/08/25 Prayer Request – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Fires in the Los Angeles area. I’ve been in touch with Clark Miller in Pasadena, California. Your urgent prayers are requested as devastating fires continue to spread in the Los Angeles area, fueled by relentless winds. On Tuesday, January 7, three major fires broke out: 1. Pacific Palisades: Now advancing toward the coast, forcing the evacuation of over 30,000 people. 2. Eaton Canyon: Driven by hurricane-force winds (98+ mph), flames have rapidly spread through East Pasadena, Altadena, and upper Pasadena. Tragically, the Budge family’s home was lost overnight. Evacuations have now extended westward to La Crescenta. Many Church of God groups in the area are facing home loss and evacuations. 3. Sylmar : This fire started last evening and is near the Fish’s home, though evacuation zones currently remain westward. LA fire resources are stretched to their limits, with an all-hands call for personnel. These winds are not just breezes—they’re violent gusts capable of toppling trees, fences, and sending embers miles away. Please pray: That the winds would cease, halting the rapid spread of the fires. • For the comfort and encouragement of those that have experienced loss. • For protection and strength for the fire and emergency crews working tirelessly to contain the flames. • For the safety of those in evacuation zones, protection for their property and ultimately a safe return to their homes. Your prayers and support are deeply appreciated during this critical time. *Any who would wish to donate for financial assistance to several who have lost their homes (and have no insurance) may do so at this link https://cogministries.org/donate/ as CGM is currently helping those in need. You may also send funds to our P.O. Box, and in the subject line earmark as “Disaster Relief/Church Assistance Fund”.
01/07/25 Prayer Request Update – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Barbara Shanks (Montgomery, AL) “Just wanted to tell you that I got some more good news! I have been referred to a Rehab Facility & have an appointment this coming Thursday. My brother went this morning and was REALLY impressed with the progress in just one treatment! So, this is another HAPPY, HOPEFUL step forward!”
01/06/25 Prayer Request Update – (Ben Faulkner, pastor, Church of the Sovereign God, Tampa, Florida) Delicious DeBlair, CGG, member from AR, has bled over three pints of blood in the past 24 hours and will see a doctor tomorrow about getting a referral to a GI specialist. She has lost over 30 pounds in the past three days and feels horrible. The cause may be an arthritis medicine having caused some kind of intestinal perforation, leading to major blood loss and intense, debilitating pain. Your prayers for God’s merciful intervention are appreciated.
01/01/25 Prayer Request update – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Pam Kimmons (Boque Chitto, MS – pancreatic cancer) I sent out an update from Anthony to all on our mailing list. Please continue to pray for Pam, and Anthony.
Ongoing Previous Requests
12/11/24 Prayer Request Update – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) I spoke via WhatsApp video connection today with Noé Monsanto (CGM Guatemala City, Guatemala). December 11th’s court proceedings were delayed after convening due to the other person’s attorney not showing up. He requests continued prayers regarding a very serious situation he is still facing and needs God’s intervention and will to be done. The legal decision has been extended again (after the meeting today, December 11) to February 20. Please continue to join my wife and me in prayer lifting Noé before our Father in heaven that His will be done in this situation with divine intervention as needed.
12/10/24 Prayer Request update – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) I appreciated your prayers for surgery on my right shoulder completed on Tuesday morning 11/05. Repairs were made to my bicep that was torn, rotator cuff tear, and several shredded tendons. It’s now been roughly 5 weeks since surgery, and recent PT “stretching” sessions due to soft tissue repairs that take much longer than bone to heal are rough. I will have multiple months of rehab before the shoulder will be back to “normal”. I am doing better each passing day, although this rehab is not for sissies. 🙂
10/10/24 Prayer Request Update – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With the multiple brethren we have been in communication with in both NC and FL there has been difficulty, but no life threatening injuries or deaths to date. In NC some have just now begun to see power partially restored. Here is what CGM posted recently on our CGM FB page. “In times of distress and disaster we at CGM help many who are suffering by the impact where they live. Many have asked “How can we help through you all?” Since the aftermath of Hurricane Helene we have been sharing resources from our “Disaster Relief and Assistance Fund” made possible by generous donations from those affiliated with CGM and others. You may donate here https://cogministries.org/donate/ if you wish to do so, and we assure you the funds will be only used for assistance to those in need affected by this storm and others as they come. Currently we are helping mostly folks in the Morganton, North Carolina area as having served in these areas as their pastor we are aware of specific needs and in contact with people directly. Most commonly we are helping with bottled drinking water, funds for gasoline for mobile generators, chain saws, supplies for clean up, and food. Thank you in advance and blessings to you for your care! T. S. Hoefker – President & Senior Pastor, CGM”
09/05/24 Prayer Request Update – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) I spoke with Patty Graham this afternoon and she asks that we continue to pray for her husband Stan Graham. “Our condition here remains difficult. Several weeks ago Stan fell, and ended up having them go in through the back of his neck to staple, screw, and wire several vertebrae in his neck that were broken. He is just starting to walk again. Stan also has cirrhosis of the liver and is very sick, continuing to decline daily. He basically sleeps, watches a little TV and goes to treatment for 5-6 hours. I truly believe trials are for the testing of our faith and when endured gives the peace and strength needed to endure even harder times. Without them, we would not need to rely on God”. The Grahams live in Pensacola, FL.
05/31/24 Prayer Request Update – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Wanted to give a brief update on my left eye that I had surgery on in September of 2023. For the last 8 months I’ve had no problems. However, last Sabbath I experienced some very disturbing symptoms that lasted through Memorial Day. After an extensive exam on Wednesday of this week it was determined that there is no detached retina. However, a “glob” of some type of liquid has separated and is floating through my vision, which gives me headaches trying to concentrate around the opaque film. I was told “it may clear up in a week or take as long as a year…” No further surgery is required at the present time. I’d appreciate prayers for it to clear up as I do need my vision to continue with this calling God has called Gayle and me to. Our Father’s will be done.
05/11/22 Prayer Request – (from Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) From Larry Field, (Nebraska). “I would like to ask for continued prayers – it’s my back/pelvic area. I was badly injured in 2016 when a machine fell on top of me, breaking my pelvis in 4 places, and severing a bunch of nerves. It also cracked my tailbone and came extremely close to severing my spinal cord. I would/should have been paralyzed, if not for God’s intervention. Lately the pain in my pelvic area has ramped up to extreme levels, and it is very difficult to walk. The strongest non-prescription drug, Tylenol, is no longer effective. My body just is resistant to pain medication, for some reason. I’m not getting much done at all, and I’m falling seriously behind on everything here…please pray that there be some relief, at least for this pain, if it be God’s will”.
(These prayer requests and updates listed are partial, as there are a large number received each week, so we simply cannot list them all. These come from several fellowships of the body of Christ throughout the U.S. and world.) Any prayer requests or announcements to be shared on the CGM website and/or this weekly update should be sent directly to Scott Hoefker by Wednesday of each week, (via e mail if possible). You may also use the “contact us” page on the CGM website to do so.)