Prayer Requests and Updates from 06/11
06/11/25 Prayer Request – (from Ken Swiger, pastor, SDCA) Jeff Bennett, Karen Spivey, and Charley McMeans have had a terrible adventure this evening as their home in La Follette, TN caught fire and was largely destroyed. They all got out safely. The fire appears to have started in the back bathroom. The fire department did what they could and are still putting out hot spots. Jeff, Karen, and Charley will be staying at a hotel tonight. Let’s pray for comfort and consolation for the family. Let’s also pray for inspiration about how we can be of help to our spiritual family members in their time of stress and loss.
Ongoing Previous Requests
05/30/25 Prayer Request – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) From Randy Stiver, SD. It’s been some time since I’ve sent out a prayer request, but the past several weeks have seen health challenges for my immediate and extended family. First of all, my younger brother, Marshall Stiver, had a very serious heart attack last Saturday night. Four stents were placed to open up blockages, with the possibility of additional stents later. Marshall is very careful with his health so this was a shock for all of us and we would very much appreciate your prayers for his swift recovery as well as full healing of his heart. Secondly, I have recently been diagnosed with a very low functioning thyroid as well as serious adrenal exhaustion (a health issue I’ve dealt with on and off for some years). It is a real challenge since I am extremely fatigued on a daily basis. We are treating the condition with natural supplementation and ask for your prayers that that will be effective in swiftly regulating the thyroid and adrenals. Perhaps there is no better time to ask for prayers for healing as we go into the Pentecost weekend knowing that through the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ and via the effective working of God’s Spirit we are healed.
05/08/25 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 United Church of God congregation who had a very bad accident while skiing with his family in Colorado on April 4) “…broke 7 ribs, broken sternum, Poke hole in his heart, broken arm, broken neck, and broken back. When they went to stabilize his back, his heart stopped…so they had to work on the heart issue first. He had a stroke that took out one eye. They expect him to regain use of arms and hands, but not the legs. His spirit seems more positive than I would have been. He should start rehab. In Denver next week.”
04/07/25 Prayer Request – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) The family of Nathan (Nate) Berg of Keller, Texas, would like to request prayers for Nate. He is having 2 upcoming surgeries on his right foot (Charcot foot condition). The first surgery will take place on Friday, April 4, and the second surgery will take place in early May. Please also pray that a quality skilled care facility can be located for Nate — he will be staying at this facility after each of the surgeries, for 3-4 weeks each time. – Cherine Berg
03/05/25 Prayer Request Update– (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Sherry Garrett (Lynn Haven, FL) From Bill, her husband: “They want Sherry to continue having physical and occupational therapy for her right arm and leg. Her blood pressure is beginning to stabilize. We are walking almost every day. Please continue to pray for complete healing.”
03/05/25 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) I spoke with Patty Graham this afternoon and she asks that we continue to pray for her husband Stan Graham. He continues to decline in health. His recent challenges have in addition to not being able to even get up some days due to lack of physical strength, but suffers from cellulitis on his hands. Please continue to keep Stan and Patty in your prayers for strength and comfort. 09/05/24 Prayer Request Update: 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.
01/29/25 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Fires in the Los Angeles area. To date CGM has been able, thanks to generous donations, to assist and help in a substantial way specifically to those who did not have insurance. Your continued 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/ . You may also send funds to our P.O. Box, and in the subject line earmark as “Disaster Relief/Church Assistance Fund”.
10/10/24 Prayer Request Update – (Scott Hoefker, pastor, CGM) Aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. “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 Hurricane Helene we have been sharing 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, 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, and food. Thank you in advance and blessings to you for your care!
05/11/22 Prayer Request – (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.)