Prayer Requests and Updates from 01/06/26 – 02/19/26

02/19/26 Prayer Request – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) From Noé Monsanto (CGM Guatemala City, Guatemala) Good morning. As I mentioned to you on Tuesday at BB, can you please add my boss into the Prayers Request of the Church, his name is Andrés Schellenberg, he is the General Manager of the company I work. I have a special respect and affection for him, since he has treated me very well since I started working at his company, and also because he supported me in a certain way last year when I had my big problem between May and June, since he helped me not to lose my job. Anyway, he is 42 years old, and he told us that he will start a treatment previous a surgery of a tumor that he will have at March in a Hospital out of Guatemala; if I am not wrong he will be in some hospital of USA for a while. So I would appreciate if you can pray for him, that everything goes well in his treatment and surgery, because he mentioned that it is a high risk surgery. Thank you very much!

02/19/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Bill and Sherry Garrett (Lynn Haven, FL) Bill asked me to update everyone about their recent ongoing challenges with some type of virus that was very difficult for them both for several weeks. They are both doing much better and thank everyone for their prayers!

02/18/26 Prayer Request Update – (from Ken Swiger, pastor, SDCA) I spoke with Karl Wilson [#84 Sickness & Suffering] about himself and his wife, Sharon Wilson [#85 Sickness & Suffering]. Sharon is still dealing with stage 3 breast cancer. She had communicated to me that she is feeling well physically. She is scheduled to go in for more blood work the first week in March to look for any cancer markers. Let’s give thanks that she is feeling better and pray that she gets good news. Karl tells me that he is struggling in his battle against prostate cancer. We had shared previously that it had metastasized into his bones. Karl’s case has been shared around among the top-level cancer centers in the U.S., including the Mayo Clinic and MD Andersen. Now they have re-diagnosed his situation. They now say he has AVPC [Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer]. They are promoting chemo-therapy for treatment. But Karl is trying a 30 day alternate treatment and will be reassessed after that. Due largely to the cancer being in his bones, Karl is living with constant and miserable pain. He is only able to sleep about an hour at a time. This means he is not experiencing the deep restful sleep his body needs to have a chance to recover. His nights are long and difficult as he moves from the bed to the recliner and back just to try to find a position that hurts less. As you can imagine, Karl is also struggling with extreme fatigue.

02/16/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) (Via Amanda Stiver) Hello brethren, this is Randy Stiver‘s daughter, Amanda, writing. We would appreciate your prayers for my father Randy. What we had hoped was a simple thyroid issue has become more complicated. Along with longstanding eye issues, Randy has increased cognitive issues in the past couple of months as well as very high inflammation markers. We are beginning the process of tests and doctor’s visits to figure out what is going on. We all three would appreciate your prayers for God’s guidance in this process of finding answers to Randy’s health problems. And, above all, we request your prayers for God’s healing for my dad. Thank you all so much. With love in Christ, Amanda, Randy, & Linda Stiver (Brookings, SD).

02/14/26 Prayer Request – (Ben Faulkner, pastor, Church of the Sovereign God, Tampa, FL) John Plunkett, a long-time COG member from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, has been diagnosed with an extremely painful nerve issue in his jaw near his ear, making it very difficult for him to eat. John has not been eating much or sleeping well, and he is also suffering from low blood pressure. At a doctor’s appointment, he was very weak and almost passed out; once the doctor saw him, he was taken to the hospital by ambulance. He will stay there so his fluids and energy can be restored. He is scheduled for an MRI, which may confirm that he needs minor surgery to place a small cushion between his nerve and the jawbone. Please pray for Tricia as well; she is quite worried about John’s health. Please also remember Warren and Sue Lee, who are providing care. The family thanks everyone for your prayers.

02/15/26 Prayer Request Update/Death Announcement – (Dave Havir, pastor, COG Big Sandy) Scott Shaffer, “The neurosurgeon confirmed that Scott had a stroke that produced a brain-bleed prior to his fall on 02/01. This past week he became unresponsive – His family all went to Tennessee. In keeping with his healthcare directive, they honored his wishes and disconnected him from all machines. He passed away Saturday evening.

02/11/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) via email to Mark Sappington – Mark Mickelson, WA. “One year ago, Mark was Michelle’s caregiver due to her disabilities. Now Michelle takes care of Mark who is on hospice care. Michelle didn’t get better. Mark just got worse. Still, they have simplified their life and are content in their more limited environment. Mark spends part of every day resting in bed but is also able to be up in a recliner part of the time. The best time of the day? Having coffee with Michelle every morning, and thankfully, there is some of that left.”

02/09/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) via Nancy Loveman, Connie Williams (LGM, Montgomery, AL) “I saw my oncologist today. Lab report shows the results from the surgery that they got the cancer cells. Hallelujah! I will not have chemo, but I will have radiation for about six weeks M-F and will also continue on the hormone blockers for 5 years. The radiation people will contact me to get the treatments set up. Thanks for your prayers on my behalf…”

01/30/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Richard Self of Deridder, LA (brother of Elizabeth Behan) is doing better, and continues to learn to live with the allergic complications from the stainless screws that were used in surgery, when his ribs were plated, (instead of titanium). He thanks everyone for your continued prayers.

01/16/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Here’s an update from Steve Schemenauer, Dave’s brother. David Schemenauer, (a member of the Elkhart, Indiana UCG congregation who had a very bad accident while skiing with his family in Colorado on April 4, 2025) “He returned home in September. He is currently paralyzed from the Chest down. He has use of his right hand, though his left hand has poor motor skills. He suffers from Nerve pain… since the nerves have been severed. He had an elevator installed in his home…He goes to work 1-2 times a week, but mainly works from home. He requires daily assistance getting out of bed etc. Surprising… he is attending the Atlanta gift show this week. He has an amazing motorized chair that does most everything. His mood is better than one might expect, but always in need of Prayer.”

01/16/26 Prayer Request – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) From Steve Schemenauer. “In other news: I have Gleason 8 (Aggressive) Prostate Cancer. I have been through 19 sessions of Radiation with 26 more to go. So far I am doing fine. The radiation has about an 80% chance of killing the Cancer. Thanks for your prayers. I am not worried. God is still in charge, and He knows what He is doing.”

01/07/26 Prayer Request Update – (Ben Faulkner, pastor, Church of the Sovereign God, Tampa, FL) Elizabeth Brown, CGG, 21 years old, has received some good news: the cancer is localized rather than systemic. She and the family thanks everyone for your continued prayers.

01/07/26 Prayer Request – (Ben Faulkner, pastor, Church of the Sovereign God, Tampa, FL) Travis and Heather Kinnunen, CGG, are asking for prayers for Heather, who is in heart failure and also has some lung issues, including COPD. To make matters worse, Travis and Heather are at risk of losing their home because they are far behind on their mortgage payments because Travis’ construction work prospects have been slow and intermittent. They thank everyone in advance for your prayers.

01/06/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Bryana Saquilmer (fiancé of Noé Monsanto) and Noé (CGM Guatemala City, Guatemala) ask for your continued prayers. He was in the hospital in December, (starting 12/08/25) due to a herniated disk in his back. The team of doctors initially felt that it would require surgery. He has been now for several weeks unable to drive, but is having physical therapy to help him walk, and possibly avoid the surgery. Once I have the details of the date of surgery (if it is still needed) I will pass on to you. He is currently still in a large amount of pain.

Ongoing Previous Requests

12/17/25 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Here’s an update from Patty Graham, she asks that we continue to pray for her husband Stan Graham. “…His condition continues to decline.  He’s having trouble walking so I’m concerned about him falling.  The liver cirrhosis creates a condition known as Ascites which causes fluid in the abdomen.  It’s overdue in being drawn off, so he’s very uncomfortable with the pressure.  He’s losing weight because his appetite has somewhat decreased.  We spent a week in Memphis with our daughter and family during Thanksgiving, so this helped his spirit tremendously.  He loves being around loved ones! We hardly ever travel and when we can, our daughter in Arkansas comes down and drives for us.  We have learned to be content here at home.  Transporting Stan to appointments and treatments keeps me busy. I hope you and Gayle are doing good.  We think of you often.” (The Grahams live in Pensacola, FL)

12/12/25 Prayer Request Update (from Ken Swiger, pastor, SDCA) Danny Jacques (NC) shared the following information regarding his lovely wife, Aggie Jacques [long-fought battle with infection in foot]. They had been celebrating good news as the doctors told her that the last surgery had done the trick and her foot was finally well. But then there was a new development. After 15 months, 8 surgeries, and not being able to walk, Aggie was told her foot was well… Last Friday she was told that the foot that was thought to be healed had opened and another surgery would be necessary to close. ALSO she was told that if this surgery did not repair fully, she should make preparations to lose the foot and part of her leg.  Please pray special prayers for her that this will not happen.

Disaster Relief and Church Assistance Fund: In times of distress and disaster we at CGM continue to help many who are suffering by the impact where they live. Many have asked “How can we help through you all?” We share resources from our “Disaster Relief and Church 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. You may also send funds to our P.O. Box, and in the subject line earmark such as “Disaster Relief/Church Assistance Fund”. (i.e. October 2024 Hurricane Helene and Milton, January 2025 Fires in the Los Angeles area, both received substantial help thanks to generous donations received).

05/11/22 Prayer Request – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) From Larry Field, (Clarinda, IA). “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.)