Pray for Recovering Addicts at the House of Hope in Central Asia
Today is the last day of our 7 Days of Prayer for International Mission Board missionaries. Today, we are praying for Aaron and Melanie Stoval. Aaron and Melanie serve in Central Asia bringing hope, healing, and discipleship to men who are recovering from addiction at a half-way house in the area. Let's pray for Aaron, Melanie, and recovering addicts at the House of Hope in Central Asia.
At the House of Hope, men are provided a placer to stay. They also learn skills that will help then learn a trade to support themselves. The men staying at the House of Hope attend Bible studies and prayer times. In addition to skills training, they raise and sell rabbits and vegetables. The Stovals live among these men, mentoring them as they grow in their faith and positively impact the region where so many are lost.
How to Pray for Recovering Addicts at the House of Hope in Central Asia
Here are three specific ways you can pray for the Stovals’ ministry:
1. Pray for the men at House of Hope to grow in their personal faith and relationship with Christ as they participate in Bible studies and prayer times. Pray that they would be empowered to impact the vast lostness in their region.
2. Pray for Aaron and Melanie as they mentor and disciple these men. Pray that God would grant them wisdom, compassion, and grace as they share God’s love and truth with them.
3. Pray for House of Hope’s continued success in providing a safe place to stay, job skills training, and fellowship for recovering addicts. Pray that more men would come to know Christ and find hope and healing at this halfway house.
Download the following graphic listing ways to pray for the Lowes and their ministry. Mount it somewhere in your home so that you will be reminded daily to pray for Aaron and Melanie Stoval and their ministry in Central Asia.
Ways to Pray for Aaron and Melanie Stoval and Their Ministry
Don't forget to continue to pray for our previously mentioned International Mission Board missionaries.
Jeri Whitfield who serves in remote areas in Thailand where some have never heard the gospel
Cordy and Eloise Lowe who share the gospel and provide medical care in a South Asian village
You can download and print all 7 graphics (one in each post) listing ways to pray for these missionaries serving around the world through the International Mission Board. Let's continue to pray over them now and in the days to come.
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Pray for Recovering Addicts at the House of Hope in Central Asia
We are continuing our 7 Days of Prayer for International Mission Board Missionaries. Each day, we have received specific information about particular missionaries and the people they serve. So far, we have prayed for Paul Yount and Willie Brown who serve in StoryOne Camps in Africa, Tim and Annie Tidenberg who serve in a pastoral care ministry in West Africa, Don and Pam Lynch who serve in a unique Coffee Bike ministry in Belgium, and Eric and Ramona Reese who serve as church planters in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Jeri Whitfield who serves in Thailand. Today, we are praying for Cordy and Eloise Lowe. Cordy and Eloise share the gospel and provide medical care in a South Asian village where people are afraid to seek medical care due to a shortage of facilities and it's too dangerous for them to travel to clinics that are too far away.
Lucky is a doctor friend who has helped the Lowes reach groups they would not otherwise have access. Lucky, a local Christian, is working to open a small clinic in his community. He will also serve 7 other villages nearby where there are no other known Christians.
Together, the Lowes and Lucky have hosted medical clinics. The clinics provide opportunities for them to share the good news of Jesus with those who don't know Him. Many of the people who seek medical care at the clinic have never even heard the name of Jesus. The Lowes and Lucky are making a significant impact in the lives of the people they serve in South Asia.
How to Pray for Cordy and Eloise Lowe and Medical Care in South Asia
Here are four specific prayer requests we would like you to consider as you pray for Cordy and Eloise Lowe’s ministry:
1. Pray for the physical and spiritual health of the South Asian villagers they are serving.
2. Pray for the success of Lucky’s clinic and for the safety of all those who seek medical care there.
3. Pray for the safety and protection of Cordy and Eloise Lowe as they continue to travel to these remote villages and share the gospel with those who have never heard it before.
4. Pray that the Lord will continue to provide opportunities for the Lowes and Lucky to share the gospel and that many hearts will be transformed as a result.
Download the following image. Then, print it out. Mount it in a place in your home where you will see it often as a reminder to pray these specific prayers for the Lowes and their medical doctor friend, Lucky.
Pray for Cordy and Eloise Lowe and Medical Care in South Asia
Thank you for joining us in prayer for these International Mission Board Missionaries!
Today, we are on day 5 of our 7 days of prayer for International Mission Board missionaries. Previously, we prayed for Paul Yount and Willie Brown who serve in StoryOne Camps in Africa, Tim and Annie Tidenberg who serve in a pastoral care ministry in West Africa, Don and Pam Lynch who serve in a unique Coffee Bike ministry in Belgium, and Eric and Ramona Reese who serve as church planters in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Today, we are asked to pray for Jeri Whitfield who serves in Thailand. As a young 22 year old Journeyman, Jeri knew she wanted to focus on a longterm relationship with the people she would serve while providing access to the Gospel and changing the lives of people who need the Lord.
Jeri has served in missionary work for 40 years, returning to Thailand three times. She recently visited a "spirit doctor" in Thailand who has heard the Gospel message, but has not entered into a personal relationship with Jesus. Jeri is committed to reaching the "spirit doctor" and others like him so that they may know Jesus. Sometimes she travels into remote areas.
Ways to Pray for Jeri Whitfield
1. Pray for Jeri’s health and safety as she continues to serve in Thailand and travel to remote areas for missionary work.
2. Pray for Jeri’s efforts to connect with those in Thailand, that they would know Jesus through her words and deeds.
3. Pray for the “spirit doctor” and the people like him whom Jeri has encountered over her time of service in Thailand, that they may come to know the love of Jesus Christ.
Save the following image to your computer. Then, print it out. Mount it somewhere in your home so that you will be reminded to pray for Jeri Whitfield and the work she is doing with the peopel of Thailand.
Thank you for joining me in praying for International Mission Board missionaries and the people they serve.
If you are praying with me over International Mission Board missionaries this week, we are on day 4 of 7. Previously we have prayed for Paul Yount and Willie Brown who serve in StoryOne camps in Africa, Tim and Annie Tidenberg who server in missions pastoral care in Africa, and for Don and Pam Lynch who operate a Coffee Bike ministry in Belgium. Today we are asked to pray for Eric and Ramona Reese who are serving as church planters in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Eric and Ramona have served in Brazil for 22 years, sometimes in dangerous locations. The following is an excerpt from an amazing story. You can start reading it here. Then, click through to read the rest.
The pastor of a congregation in the slum of Santa Lucas invited me to preach during a special event for his church. Several murders had recently occurred in the community, and the pastor wanted me to encourage his people to not be fearful. He told me the theme of the event: “Men of God who are not fearful.”
Based on the title, I wasn’t sure I was the best choice to speak, but I accepted his invitation anyway. A young seminary student named John accompanied me. His job while I preached was to pray, because I knew we were going into a dangerous community.
I preached on a familiar story—David and Goliath. I had three main points I wanted to make. The first was that men of God who stand for God are not afraid to fight for God. I explained the point. “If someone came to me to say that Jesus is not Lord, I would stand my ground and be willing to say that He is Lord. I would be willing to fight for what is true.”
As soon as I said that, gunshots erupted from out in the community. The only person who hit the deck was the guest-speaking American missionary invited to tell the locals that men of God are men of courage. John laughed out loud. I looked out from my prone position to see smiles across the congregation. I stood up, apologized, and resumed preaching.
My second point was that David carried with him memories of being willing to fight for the right. King Saul told David he was too young to fight Goliath, yet David told Saul how when he was a young shepherd, he killed a lion and a bear that threatened his sheep.
As if on cue, shots rang out again. This time, though, they came from a machine gun. And this time, the bullets hit the church building. One bullet went through the top of a wall and hit a ceiling fan in the sanctuary. Again, I hit the deck. This time, I wasn’t alone… READ MORE . . .
Here are specific ways to pray for Erica and Ramona as they serve in a new church plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Specific Ways to Pray for a New Church Plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil
1. Today let’s pray for the protection and the power of the Reeses’ ministry in Brazil!
2. Ask God to bless a sports ministry the Reeses are working with in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
3. Pray for many partnerships forming with Brazilian Baptists.
Save the following image to your computer. Then, print it out and place it in a location that you see often as a reminder to pray for Eric and Ramona Reese and their church plant in Brazil.
Pray for a New Church Plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Pin the following image so others can also pray for Eric and Ramona Reese.
We are on day 3 of our 7 days of prayer for IMB Missionaries. We have prayed for Paul Yount and Willie Brown as they minister through StoryOne camps in Africa. Then, we prayed for Tim and Annie Tidenberg as they minister to other other missionaries through their pastoral care ministry. Today, we are praying for Don and Pam Lynch who serve in Flanders, Belgium. Don and Pam minister through a unique ministry they call their Coffee Bike Ministry, so today, we are praying for Coffee Bike Missionaries in Belgium and the people they serve.
Pray for Coffee Bike Missionaries in Belgium
The people in Flanders, Belgium are very private. Building relationships outside their tight communities is challenging for them. Don and Pam Lynch have a "coffee bike" complete with a generator and an espresso machine. While the Lynches grind and prepare coffee, they join in conversations with the people around them. They are enjoying the opportunity to offer free coffee and listening ears to those who hang around to talk with them. They also offer Biblical truths, godly counsel and prayer support.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the people in Flanders, Belgium felt even more isolated from others. Depression is common. Don and Pam are praying for God to provide more opportunities for them to engage in gospel conversations and build long term friendships through their Coffee Bike Ministry.
How to Pray for Coffee Bike Missionaries in Belgium
1. Pray for the Flemish to find hope, meaning, and purpose in Christ—especially those who are struggling with depression and loneliness to find the help and hope they need in Jesus.
2. Pray for the Lynches as they devote time to building relationships through their coffee cart ministry.
3. Pray for deep gospel conversations and open hearts.
Save the following graphic to your computer. Then, print it out and hang it somewhere so that you will be reminded daily to pray for Don and Pam Lynch's Coffee Bike Ministry.
Pray for Coffee Bike Missionaries in Belgium
Pin this post so others can pray for IMB Missionaries too!
Pray for International Mission Board Pastoral Care in West Africa
This is day 2 of 7 days of prayer for International Mission Board missionaries. Yesterday, we prayed for Paul Yount and Willie Brown as they continue in their StoryOne ministry in Africa. Today, we are praying for Tim and Annie Tidenberg. Both Tim and Annie were missionary kids who decided to continue the work of their parents in Africa. They began as church planters in East Africa. After several years, they moved to the United States where they led a church for five years. After that, Tim and Annie felt called to West Africa where they currently serve as pastoral care missionaries with International Mission Board Pastoral Care.
As pastoral care missionaries, Tim and Annie provide pastoral care and counseling to support and equip missionaries, contributing to their spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being. Tim says, “We spend time with them, encourage them if they’re in a crisis situation, we pray with them and we try to get them some resources to work through what they’re dealing with.”
Pray for International Mission Board Pastoral Care in West Africa
Here are specific ways to pray for Tim and Annie Tidenberg:
1. Pray that the Lord would give them wisdom and discernment as they care for and mentor missionaries.
2. Pray that they would have insight into the unique needs and challenges that these missionaries face and that they would be able to offer practical advice and support.
3. Pray they would be strengthened and encouraged in their own faith as they pour into the lives of others.
4. Pray that the Lord would refresh and renew their spirits and give them the strength and energy they need to serve with excellence.
5. Pray that their impact would be multiplied as missionaries are equipped to share the gospel around the world.
6. Pray that the Lord would use Tim and Annie’s mentorship to raise up a new generation of passionate and effective missionaries who will take the gospel to Africa and beyond.
Save the following graphic to your electronic device. Print it out and place it somewhere to remind yourself to pray for Tim and Annie. Keep praying for Paul and Willie too.
Pray for Tim and Annie Tidenberg, International Mission Board Pastoral Care Missionaries in West Africa
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Pray for International Mission Board Pastoral Care in West Africa
Yesterday, I shared with you an opportunity to join me in prayer for International Mission Board missionaries. I signed up here to receive an email every day for seven days. In each email, I'll receive information about a specific missionary so I can pray specific prayers for them. I'll be sharing each request here on the blog so you can join me in prayer each day for these missionaries who have answered the call to GO. Today, we are praying for Paul Yount and Willie Brown. Paul and Willie are asking us to pray for StoryOne camps in Africa.
Pray for StoryOne Camps in Africa
Through StoryOne camps, Paul and Willie minister to the deaf in Africa. Access to Scripture is limited in Africa. It is also common that the deaf in Africa do not read or write. This presents even greater challenges for them. The deaf in Africa communicate with sign languages specific to their respective countries, their heart language. They don't understand the written Word and the truths it communicates.
Quoting directly from the email I received from Emily Hall:
"They learned how to tell these stories in an accurate yet compelling way in sign language, as well as how to illustrate some of these stories and larger Bible concepts graphically with pen and paper. The eight Bible stories this camp focused on are designed to teach Deaf nationals doctrinal statements on the identity of Jesus, functions of the church, and how to conduct missions work. These stories are also accompanied by mnemonic hand movements that assist Deaf nationals in recalling them for evangelizing and discipling."
Speaking of one man's new love for Jesus, Paul Yount said, “He needed to see stories from the Bible translated into his heart language to understand, appreciate, love, and be transformed by God.”
Here are three specific prayer requests for today:
1. Pray for Paul, Willie, and other IMB missionaries who are dedicated to reaching the Deaf of Africa.
2. Pray for the continued success of StoryOne camps in relaying the truths of Scripture to the Deaf.
3. Pray that IMB and our partners would continue to find unique and effective ways to present the gospel of Jesus Christ in the heart language of those we serve.
Save the following image to your electronic device. Print it out and place it somewhere in your home where you will be reminded daily to pray these specific prayers over Paul, Willie, and StoryOne in Africa.
International Mission Board Prayer Requests - Day 1
An Opportunity to Pray for International Mission Board Missionaries
Missionaries face many obstacles as they serve in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar customs. Sometimes foreign cultures and languages present challenges most of us might not realize. Even though missionaries spend a lot of time studying the cultures where they will serve and learning new languages, they still face challenges. If you ask missionaries what they need most, they will most likely tell you they need prayer above all else. When we pray for missionaries, we also pray for the people they serve. I was recently presented with an opportunity to pray for International Mission Board missionaries. I'm passing this opportunity on to you.
An Opportunity to Pray for International Mission Board Missionaries
Recently, Emily Hall, a prayer content specialist with the IMB prayer office sent out a message asking other believers to join in prayer for specific missionaries for seven days. Now that I'm signed up, I'll receive information about a specific missionary every day for the next seven days. I'll be able to pray specific prayers for specific missionaries, their families, and the people they serve.
If you would like to join me in praying for IMB missionaries for the next seven days, go here to sign up. After you sign up, you'll be led to a page where you can give financially if you would like to or if you feel led to give, but giving financially is not required to receive information and prayer requests concerning the missionaries.
I hope you'll take this opportunity to pray for International Board Missionaries. The world is in a very fragile state right now. The world needs prayer and the world needs Jesus. I'm reminded of an old song I used to love. Many years ago, when I served for several months in Alaska, we used to sing the song People Need the Lord. Alaska isn't a foreign county with unfamiliar customs, but the message of that song was just as true then and there as it is true in every place and every culture around the world today . . . people need the Lord.
I invite you to listen to the song here. Then, don't forget to go here to sign up to pray for a missionary every day for the next seven days.
Have a wonderful and very blessed Thanksgiving week everyone!
Living Abundantly in Him
Tina
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An Opportunity to Pray for International Mission Board Missionaries
Operation Christmas Child is a mission project that is making a significant impact in the lives of children around the world. This project is an initiative of Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse, a prominent international relief organization.
The Mission of Operation Christmas Child
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan's Purse has been able to partner with local churches worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations. The primary goal of this initiative is to show children that they are loved and valued, and that there is hope for a brighter future.
The project's approach is simple and effective. Samaritan's Purse collects shoeboxes filled with gifts and delivers them to children in need around the world. These shoeboxes are packed with a variety of items including toys, school supplies, basic hygiene items, and a personal note of encouragement. For many of these children, this shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
The outreach of Operation Christmas Child is not limited to the distribution of shoeboxes. It also includes a follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. This program teaches children about God's greatest gift, His son Jesus Christ. Through this program, children learn how to follow Christ in their daily lives and share Him with others.
Back in 2014, my son was on deployment when he witnessed the end result of Operation Christmas Child. He called home to tell me about it. His description was just like the following video reveals. It was an incredible thing for him to witness, especially since he grew up packing an Operation Christmas Child shoebox every year. I've never forgotten that phone call and he'll never forget seeing the children in that country opening up those boxes. He has a baby girl now and I can't wait to start this annual tradition with her. It's a great way teach children about the importance of mission projects and a way for them to actively participate in such a wonderful cause.
How Can You Get Involved?
The impact of Operation Christmas Child is only possible through the assistance of millions of volunteers worldwide. You can become a part of this mission by packing a shoebox for a child in need. By including a variety of useful and fun items in your shoebox, you can bring joy to a child and give them a tangible expression of God's love.
Packing a shoebox is a simple process. You can choose to pack a shoebox for a boy or a girl, and you can select the age category that you prefer. Then, you fill the shoebox with a variety of items. Once your shoebox is packed, you can drop it off at a collection center near you.
Through your involvement, you have the opportunity to make a significant difference in the life of a child. Your shoebox can bring joy, hope, and the knowledge of God's love to a child in a desperate situation. You can be a part of changing the world, one shoebox at a time.
For more information and resources on how to pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, visit SamaritansPurse.org.
Jesus was missional. We should be missional like Jesus was.
For the past few weeks at my church, we've been talking about habits. Habits can determine the course of our lives. Bad habits will lead us down a destructive path. Good habits will improve our quality of life. There is no way human beings can live a life filled with nothing but good habits. Truth be told, we all have bad habits we need to change. However, there was one man who lived a perfect life. He had no bad habits at all. His name was and is Jesus. As Christ followers, we should desire to copy the habits of Jesus (we are calling them Jesus habits). We have learned that Jesus prayed. Jesus worshiped. Jesus was relational. Jesus was generous. Today, we learn that Jesus was missional.
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Jesus Was Missional
If your life is overcome with bad habits, you don't have to stay that way. The gospel of Jesus is powerful enough to change your bad habits. When the gospel changes your habits, your whole life changes.
Our pastor mentions in the video above that one bad habit is wasting time. One reason for wasting time is not knowing your life's mission or purpose. Sometimes we know our life's mission or purpose, but we are afraid to take that step.
I'm not afraid of failure; I'm afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter. - William Carey
Jesus never wasted time. Jesus rested, slept, enjoyed meals, and spent time with friends, but He wasted no time fulfilling His mission. Jesus was missional.
What was Jesus' mission?
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. - Luke 19:10
Jesus never strayed from His mission.
As followers of Jesus, His mission is our mission.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be to you; just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." - John 20:21
Are you a follower of Jesus? If your answer is "yes," then His mission is your mission. If your answer is "no," then learn more about how you can have a relationship with Jesus here.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.2 And there was a man called by the name f Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich.3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature.4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree in order to see Him, because He was about to pass through that way.5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”6 And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully.7 When the people saw this, they all began to complain, saying, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner!”8 But Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am giving back four times as much.”9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” - Luke 19:1-10
Take not of three missional words at the end of the above passage: Seek, Save, Lost.
Have you ever been lost? You can be lost and not look like you are lost. Zacchaeus did not look lost, but he was. He thought he was somebody important, but there was a void in his life. Zacchaeus fell short of the glory of God. We are told in Romans 3:23 that we ALL fall short of the glory of God.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23
Like Zacchaeus, many of us think we are "OK with God" or that we are "righteous enough." Like Zacchaeus, we might appear to "have it all," but instead be empty.
Guess what? You might think you are seeking Jesus, but Jesus is seeking you. Like Christ came to Zacchaeus, He comes to you. God wants to spend time with you.
When Jesus saves you, He changes everything about you.
Zacchaeus received Jesus with joy. Salvation is a relationship with Jesus. When we receive His love, forgiveness, joy, and peace, our hearts change.
Do you need a change in your heart? Do you need new good habits? Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost. His mission is to seek and save you.
If you are already a Christ follower, then you have been found so that you can find others. You have been loved so that you can love others. You have been changed so that you can become a change agent in the lives of others.
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