RIO church banquet puts focus on missions

Photo by Leslie Karnowski

Connie and John Hawthorn with LOCC missions in Haiti came to present ideas and information to the RIO members and guests attending the program.

Photo by Leslie Karnowski

Susana and Dr. Charles Lambert came to the banquet to share their experiences with Christian television in the Middle East.

Photo by Leslie Karnowski

Gathered to tell the faithful about the Restoration International Outreach Church’s missions are Christi Prater, executive pastor; Dr. Charles Lambert, senior vice president of a Christian television station in the Middle East; Senior Pastor Ronnie Hepperly and Jeannie Hepperly; John Hawthorn with Haiti missions; and Terry Zimmerman, liaison with Project Amazon.

The Restoration International Outreach (RIO) churches invited those interested in missions to break bread with the RIO group on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 18, at Rothchild’s Catering and Convention Center in Knoxville. Presenters shared their experiences with missions to the group gathered.

RIO church is active in domestic and foreign missions. RIO Revolution, for example, started a new ministry in Haiti in 2007. They help support an orphanage of 125 children in LaHatte, near Port-au-Prince and teamed with LOCC missions, who have been in the Haiti mission field since 1970. On-going and future efforts in Haiti include adult and children’s crusades, building projects, jail ministries and Encounter weekend. John Hawthorn with LOCC, whose father founded the Haiti ministry, was one of those sharing at the RIO Mission Banquet.