Missionary Moments
If you are interested in helping spread the gospel of our Lord and Savior to others whether they are close or in another country, please click on one of the links below for more information on ways you can help.
....Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28: 19-20.
WEEK OF JUNE 2, 2013
Morning Prayer: MATT and ELAINE TIPTON were surprised by the affection they gained for New Orleans. God used that time to prepare their hearts for long-term ministry there, even in the wake of tragedy. Matt and Elaine lost everything in Hurricane Katrina and moved home to Tennessee. But God continued to burden their hearts about New Orleans. Five years later, the Tiptons were back in New Orleans to plant Hope Church. Our commitment to give through both the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is helping Matt and Hope Church fulfill its desire to see many new churches planted in the New Orleans area and for the gospel to transform the city they love.
Evening Prayer: What do 90,000 people look like? Imagine the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, nearly filled to capacity. That's how many Nama (pronounced NAH-mah) people are living without a Christian witness. Music, poetry and storytelling are important to the Nama, who have a tradition of passing down stories from generation to generation. Please pray that through your generous giving through the Cooperative Program, God will send people to share the life-changing story of Jesus and His love for all the Nama people to hear. Pray that some will come to know Jesus as Savior and then faithfully pass along His story to the rest of Namibia's Nama people.
Statement: Romans 12:1 - God's first goal for giving is that we give ourselves to Him. Reconciliation to God frees us to grow in the grace of giving. The percent of our income that we give may be used as one measure of growth in His grace.
WEEK OF JUNE 9, 2013
Morning Prayer: More and more, Peruvian believers are catching the missionary vision. And as more Peruvian Christians answer God's call to missions, TOMMY and BETH LARNER are helping prepare them for what they'll face on the field. The Larners, IMB Missionaries in Peru, work with a Peruvian organization called Peru' a Las Naciones (Peru to the Nations), which prepares national believers to serve on the international mission field. Your giving through the Cooperative Program is providing necessary training Peruvian missionaries to be equipped to do their part in reaching the nations. Please be in prayer for the Larners and their work in Peru.
Evening Prayer: New York City is often thought of as glamorous, modern and very influential. It is an international city, with close to 500 distinct people groups speaking more than 800 languages. For North American Missionary, LAMAR DUKE, New York is a huge mission field. As the missions team leader for the Baptist Convention of New York, Lamar leads a team of 11 church planting catalysts who are starting new churches to guarantee gospel access to 28 million people; 27 million of whom are not believers in Jesus Christ. Our commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission through the Cooperative Program is helping Lamar and his team start new churches within driving distance of each of the 28 million people in their region.
Statement: 2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ gave Himself for us. Many people have given their creativity, even their lives, that we might enjoy national and religious freedom. Giving through our church helps share the gospel which can free people from sin.
WEEK OF JUNE 16, 2013
Morning Prayer: YOSHI UBUKATA pastors a Japanese-speaking church, near St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife, HYEYEON, and their young daughters. Through the Japanese Southern Baptist Church planting network and a sponsoring church, they are planting a new Japanese congregation in Orlando, Florida. They hope to start 120 Japanese Southern Baptist churches in North America. While in America, Japanese people are receptive to the gospel and many become believers. But 80 percent stop attending church after they return to Japan. The Ubukatas are thankful for your commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission through the Cooperative Program and ask that you pray that the Japanese people in the U.S. will be reached with the gospel and trained more effectively.
Evening Prayer: JANE, a Christ follower serving in Central Asia, got to take a vacation from her country recently, but she was unable to forget the plight of her people. She knew they were deep into Ramadan, a month of religious fasting for Muslims. It is hard on Jane to see the people living in such bondage. She continues to share her faith in Jesus Christ. "I have never been more aware just how deeply the lies of their religion encompass every single element of how they view the world," she said. "But the light of our Father in the midst of the darkness has been remarkable."
Statement: Proverbs 23:24 - On this Father's Day let us who are fathers be good stewards of the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. One part of our stewardship is providing an example for our children in the way we use money and in the way we give our money.
WEEK OF JUNE 23, 2013
Morning Prayer: Workers ADAM and TRINITY WEMS have a heart for the poor and focus their ministry toward lower-income communities. Adam helps destitute people coming off the streets receive medical care and rehabilitation. Trinity leads a women's group, giving women a safe place to share their burdens and hear the Gospel. With so many unengaged, unreached people groups in their region, they also dedicate time to training leadership and connecting congregations in the U.S. to the vast amount of work that needs to be accomplished in South Asia. As you give, pray for the work of Adam and Trinity, and ask God to send more workers into the dark areas.
Evening Prayer: Born in the Dominican Republic into a Catholic family, ANTONIO SANTOS was introduced to Christ at the age of 14. Year's later, Antonio was invited to a church plant led by Southern Baptist missionaries and felt called into the ministry. He served the church in various roles and helped them plant three churches in the Dominican Republic. Thanks in part to your gifts through the Cooperative Program, Antonio serves as church planting missionary in North Carolina. His goal is to help churches begin Hispanic works by providing resources, training and assistance in finding pastors. Join Antonio and his wife, STEPHANIE, in praying for more churches to respond to the great need to start Hispanic churches.
Statement: Ezra 1:5-6 - It has always been true of God's people: when in fellowship with God and ready to serve Him, they give willingly.
WEEK OF JUNE 30, 2013
Morning Prayer: Elsa was promised a chance to live the "American Dream" through an education program offered to young women in Indonesia. That dream turned into a nightmare as she became the victim of a human trafficking crime ring based in New Orleans. Elsa found a Christian friend and advocate in KAY BENNETT, missionary and director of Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans, a transitional housing program that offers ministries to homeless women and children who are often easy prey for human traffickers. As Kay is building relationships, meeting needs and reaching people like Elsa with the love of Christ, she is encouraged by your prayers and commitment to missions through the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.
Evening Prayer: KELSEY, a Southern Baptist worker, is used to children mocking her about her faith in Jesus Christ. At the center where she works with Russian children in Estonia, they know she believes in God, loves Him and talks with Him. She teaches Bible stories through art and English lessons to the children, many of whom come from impoverished and broken families. "It grieves me that many of these young ones are already so hard-hearted and resistant to His Word." Kelsey says. Lately, she has had more opportunities to share with the children one-on-one. Kelsey asks for prayer that God will soften their hearts and that they will be open to His Word.
Statement: Acts 20:35 - One accomplishment that comes through using our money is helping the helpless.
Below are other areas for information and ways you can be involved.
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