Written By
Ken Koronovich
Board Chair
Thoughts at the Start of a New Year — We Have Hope
As we step into a new year, I want to begin with a simple and heartfelt thank you. Your support of CMRC over the past year has truly mattered. Because of you, our work continued to grow and bear fruit throughout 2025.
I hope you’ll take time to read – and even re-read – our newsletters, not just to stay informed, but to celebrate what we have accomplished together. These stories are a reminder that God is good, and His mercy truly does endure forever.
Each of us is called to do what we can – no more and no less. For me personally, stepping into the role of Board Chair this past year has been both humbling and an honour, and simply another way to serve in the work of the Kingdom.
As we look back, the world has felt unsettled – full of noise, uncertainty, and sudden challenges that can shake us deeply. It’s easy to ask, “Where is God?” Yet Scripture reminds us that He is near. Jesus’ words still stand: “I am with you always.” What a comfort that is.
Thank you for walking this journey with CMRC. We step forward with hope – together.
Just before Christmas, the CMRC Board decided to give a small financial gift to those we support monthly in Peru, Guatemala and Cuba. Pastor Elpidio sent this thank you note, below:
Written By
Elpidio Pérez
Pastor, Cuba
Cienfuegos, December 2025 -Year of the Lord-
Grace and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear brothers, my name is Elpidio N. Pérez Gil. I am a member of the Biblical Baptist Church “Living Stones” of Cienfuegos, which has as its headquarters the building of the Biblical-Theological Seminary Nazareth in the city of Cienfuegos.
I would like to thank the CMRC mission for their unconditional support and help that I have been receiving for several years, and that has been sent, thanks to God, by CMRC brother Douglas and his collaborators here in Cuba, at this time Brother Michel Rodríguez. And always without setbacks. I thank God for the generosity and because God has used them as an instrument of blessing and help for me and our Ministry.
Since 2000, when he began, I worked at the Nazareth Biblical-Theological Seminary in the city of Cienfuegos, at first only as a part-time professor. Since 2009, I began to work in this Seminary full time as Vice Rector Teaching and professor of the same. Currently my main function is the preparation of the different curricula in correspondence with the programs and courses that the Seminary offers, thus giving the opportunity to train workers and missionaries in Cuba. Within the curriculum of the Seminary, I teach in the specialty of Pedagogy and Teaching.
In the local Church, I am a Deacon and I also lead the entire Christian Education program of the church, which includes the preparation of all the material used in Sunday School, for all ages, from children to adults. I have been married since 1989.
My wife’s name is Alina Martínez. Although she is a doctor, she currently serves as the Teaching Secretary of the Nazareth Biblical-Theological Seminary. We have a son, his name is Samuel, also married, and his wife’s name is Beatriz.
We thank God, once again, for all the help given by brother Douglas Springer and CMRC Mission to us in Cuba, for his vision and his desire to help workers in our country. We also and in a special way give thanks to all those brothers and sisters in Canada who make it possible for us to receive our sustenance. May the Lord bless you all richly.
In the love of Christ.
Written By
Doug Springer
Executive Director
Greetings Friends:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for your generous prayers and financial support in 2025. When I first began CMRC, I was introduced to a mission in the USA with very similar goals. The goal was to help churches become stronger through helping others outside of their church, focusing more on how to help others than on the problems, issues and politics inside their church. Our focus has changed over the years, but continues to focus on helping pastors in communities of poverty, especially in Latin America. We will continue to do that.
From the very beginning, we have tried very hard not to ask for money. Very rarely do we ask for financial donations. I am not saying that is wrong to do, just that we don’t normally. During covid, we asked for help to support churches suffering, and we have occasionally asked for financial help with specific projects.
In 2025, we have been able to be generous to those we support, and it is because of your blessings. As long as God keeps us healthy and continues to provide financial support through you, we will continue to serve him through this mission. You can help us by providing names and contact information of anyone you know or hear of that would be interested in working with CMRC full or part time. They would have to raise their support with our help. We do need to look ahead and plan for the future.
Thank you again for your support in prayer and in finances as we look forward to the future in helping spread the Gospel through local churches in communities of poverty.
God bless you.
Prayer Requests
-Pray for our pastors in Cuba that God will give them strength and wisdom during this new year.
-Pray for Karen and the ministry in Peru. Pray for the girls and their families.
-Pray for the CMRC board that God will give health, wisdom, and guidance as they lead this beautiful ministry.
-Pray for Doug Springer and Marni; they are precious tools that God is using for His ministry.
-Take time to pray and ask the Lord how you can be involved in His ministry through CMRC.
