Prayer Requests and Updates from 08/03 – 08/23/26
08/23/26 – Memorial and Thank You Announcement – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) (From Amanda Stiver) “On Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, we held a very beautiful memorial service for my dad, Randy Stiver. We gathered in the old Oral School, in Oral, South Dakota, that Randy attended as a child and where my grandmother taught for some years. Randy’s brother, Mr. Marshall Stiver, delivered the service, and Mr. Rand Millich, his mentor in the ministry, gave additional remarks and the final prayer. Mr. Scott Thouvenin led the congregation in the hymn, “Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord.” Family and friends shared a meal and fellowship after the service. Randy would have been right at home enjoying a good cup of coffee and sharing stories and memories. It was a fitting memorial of his life, work in service to God, and time with family.
To the many family, friends and brethren, near and far, who sent cards of encouragement, sympathy, and condolence over the past few months before and after Randy’s death, and to those who left messages of sympathy and fond memories on social media, thank you so much. Your kindness is very precious to us! – Amanda & Linda Stiver” (Brookings, SD)
08/15/26 Death Announcement – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) (From Ashley Lewelling). Jeanne Welch (Bonifay, FL), Grandma passed at 8:00 a.m. this morning. Thank you to all for your prayers these last few months.
08/06/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) (Sad News- Ryan Kemp Sr.) Ryan Sr. passed away last night at approximately 4:30 a.m. after his organs began to fail. Throughout the process, he was kept sedated and comfortable. Our family is grateful that he is no longer suffering and is now at peace. We will share information regarding funeral arrangements as soon as those details are available. Jayne and Robert still have a very long road ahead, please keep them in your prayers as they continue to recover and process this loss. Thank you again for the outpouring of love, kindness, and support. It has brought comfort to our family during an incredibly difficult time. Sincerely, Heather Poma
08/03/26 Prayer Request – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) (Kemp family) [From Heather Poma (Kemp)] – Please pray for Ryan Kemp, his wife Jayne, and young adult son Robert. Their home exploded and burned to the ground. Apparently Ryan was working on a stove and it exploded, burning down their house (in Louisiana)They are long time COG members in the Visalia LA area. (Brother to Ron Kemp of Tennessee). Ryan has burns on 90% of his body, she’s burned on 80% of her body, and there son is burned on 50% of his body. All have been life flighted to the burn unit in Baton Rouge. Their niece Jacqueline was at the site shortly after it happened and is now on her way to Baton Rouge General. Their son, has now been contacted and is on his way to BR from the Dallas area.
Ongoing Previous Requests
05/10/26 Death Announcement – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) (Via Amanda Stiver) Dad (Randy Stiver) died peacefully at about 1:17 this morning. My uncle and aunt were there…we said our goodbyes before we left hospice and we asked God to let dad attain his rest peacefully, and God answered that….he’d been unresponsive for days. Mom and I feel at peace. Now it’s our job to finish the race and be there. (Linda and Amanda, Brookings, SD) (Please keep Linda and Amanda in your prayers in the weeks and months ahead)
05/01/26 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) – (Via Bill, her husband) Bill and Sherry Garrett (Lynn Haven, FL) request prayers for Sherry. She received the results from recent tests and has a large cyst (9.7 cm) on her left kidney that is most likely not cancerous, but they are asking for God’s healing. She’ll need to go back in a few months for an ultrasound. If the pain worsens, they will have to drain the cyst. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.
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)
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 firstly with prayers. Many have asked “How else 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).
(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.)