3 Apr 2020

Home Missionaries

Isaac and Becca Herold: (COS) UCCS classes are being held remotely but Christian Challenge staff continues to meet using technology to stay connected with students.  God is still working in the lives of students at UCCS.  These difficult times have led CC staff to contact students more often, reaching out in love.  They will continue their Tuesday night Bible study on zoom.  In the midst of social distancing, pray students will engage each other and the Lord.

Jonathan Ferre: (COS) Pray for Jonathan and Iglesia Gracia y Verdad.  Jonathan just started teaching a series of studies through First Corinthians – they are meeting virtually on the Internet.  Also, on Wednesdays they are going through the book of Acts via the Internet.  Pray they will be able to live their lives according to God’s word.  The children can no longer meet as a group.  They have been learning about the doctrine of God.  Pray parents will be able to engage their children and help them grow in their faith. Pastor Jonathan has been working part time as a case worker.  Pray for him as he ministers to people.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Due to the COVID-19 outbreak the Spring break mission trip has been cancelled.  This was disappointing but the right thing to do under the circumstances.  Pray the school will reimburse the students for their part of this trip.  The East Asia team is still scheduled to go – they are still training and raising support.  Please pray for their efforts in spiritual growth and preparation for this trip.  The UCCS campus is now closed and graduation cancelled.  This has led to much shock and disappointment especially for the seniors who hoped to graduate.  Pray for these students who needed to complete requisite projects before graduating.

Life Network: (COS) Lives are being saved and transformed, needs are being met and most importantly, we are sharing Christ!  Pray for the staff and volunteers who continue to be on the front lines.  Pray for health and protection for them and their families.  The staff has been making phone calls and praying for our partners and supporters.  Pray for emotional, physical and mental health as they minister through this present storm.

Foreign Missionaries

Our Friends in EA:  Many families who have worked in our friends’ area of ministry will not be returning to their country.  These are sad times as many families will not be permitted to say goodbyes to friends, ministry partners or collect priceless memories from their homes.  Please pray for these servants, their families and the future ministry in this part of the world.  May God grant them grace, wisdom and strength.  These events do not surprise God!  May His servants learn the new plan to reach the lost in this area of the world!

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Spain is on lockdown until April 11^th.  Spain’s medical system is completely overwhelmed.  Reach Beyond missionaries meet each morning virtually to pray for the ministry and staff.  Everyone is working virtually from home performing essential duties to keep the broadcasts going out across the airwaves.  Please pray for these missionaries and their families – pray for a hedge of protection so the Gospel programming can continue.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) The twins are doing well – Grace will hopefully come home from the hospital this week.  The Grace Baptist Church service on Zoom is going well.  Lona and Madeleine conducted a short Sunday school lesson using a flannel graph board on the story of Noah.  Several viewers of their Zoom services have never attended a Grace Baptist Church service!  The entire country is on strict isolation restrictions for the next two weeks.  Pray for the government’s leadership.  Pray the church is able to stay connected via technology such as Zoom and be a witness to the country of Ireland.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Lydia is ministering to a lady who has been in an abusive domestic relationship.  Pray for her to take the steps to protect herself.  Pray for her salvation.  Pray for Lydia as they minister to her.

Home Missionaries

Emily Skinner: (COS) The current Mission Training International (MTI) Compass training program was scheduled to end on Friday, 20 March.  In light of COVID-19 precautions the graduation was accelerated to Tuesday, 17 March.  There was chaos and some disappointment in not being able to say goodbyes to participants.  The next Compass program scheduled for mid-April is now being postponed and leadership is working to reschedule both Compass and DAR program participants to later scheduled classes.  There are changes daily.  Pray for MTI leadership and continue to give.  Pray for the trainers and future participants to stay healthy.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (COS) Isaac and Becca have accepted the position as Director of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.  They hope to be in place this July and ready to lead the ministry for the Fall 2020 semester.  Pray for them as they transition to Greeley.  Pray for housing, church connections and many other details as they move.  Also, consider continuing financial support through the NAMB as they continue the same work but on a different campus!  Please consider reaching out to them to ask how you can help them with needs during this move.  Consider sending them a card (gift card) to encourage them.

Jonathan Ferre: (COS) Pray for Jonathan as he pastors Iglesia Gracia y Verdad.  He has become a bi-vocational pastor so he’s a very busy pastor, husband, father and employee!  Pray for him especially during this time of social distancing that he can stay connected with his church.  Pray for lay leaders to rise up in his church to help him minister to the Spanish speakers in the community.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Due to the COVID-19 outbreak the Spring break mission trip has been cancelled.  This was disappointing but the right thing to do under the circumstances.  Pray the school will reimburse the students for their part of this trip.  The East Asia team is still scheduled to go – they are still training and raising support.  Please pray for their efforts in spiritual growth and preparation for this trip.  The UCCS campus is now closed and graduation cancelled.  This has led to much shock and disappointment especially for the seniors who hoped to graduate.  Pray for these students who needed to complete requisite projects before graduating.

Foreign Missionaries

Our Friends in EA:  Our friends have been working at a break neck pace for several weeks taking care of their colleagues.  They just arrived home days ago – their mission complete!  Pray for them as they rest in their own home.  Pray for rest and no COVID-19 symptoms – they have been with plenty of colleagues who could have been exposed to COVID-19.  Pray for people of peace to be open to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) The numbers of COVID-19 cases are decreasing.  Pray they continue to go down!

Amanda Peck: (The Balkans) Schools, businesses and borders are now closed.  Amanda is grateful for the Internet and the ability to work and communicate with others while obeying the new social distancing.  She is doing well and reaching out to others.  Pray for the unborn and the women who are counselled at Lydia.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) A Grace Baptist church member’s daughter had twins – Amy and Grace.  Grace is still in ICU.  Pray for this little one as she recovers.  Thank the Lord for Zoom!  Again the church “met” on zoom last Sunday – twenty-three attended.  Pray for the Webbs as they seek ways to stay connected to their congregation.  May the Lord use COVID-19 as a way to open people’s hearts to the Gospel.

Herb and Celeste:  They continue to look for a local church to join.  Pray for their good health and their ability to meet new people who need to know Jesus.  Pray for their old friends to stay faithful to the Lord.  Pray for their part of their new ministry that they will be good workers and team leaders in their new responsibilities.  Pray stateside helpers will step forward to help them with video editing, graphic art design and story writing.