Week of Sep 17^th 2023

HOME MISSIONARIES

Emily Skinner: (COS) The summer Compass program graduated 59 participants who are headed to 15 different nations.  Emily had three precious little boys in her class and she says it was fun to watch them grow and bond with their families during this training session.  At this writing Emily is in Ireland with the VGBC handbell choir.  Please pray for her substitute teacher who is teaching children during the current Chips class.  And if you would like to help underwrite her support please reach out to Emily Skinner at eskinner@mti.org.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) The inflation rate and economy has hit all our missionaries!  The cost of living has increased the costs of ministry and raising the Slack family. Please pray for their support and consider giving through the North American Mission Board.  If you are already a supporter, please consider increasing your gifts for the Slacks.

Life Network: (COS) Please pray for the ministry at Life Network as they endeavor to educate expectant mothers on the value of choosing life for their babies.  Please pray for the upcoming 40th annual gala and silent auction on September 28 and 29th.  This auction helps provide critical funds to keep the three life network clinics open in Colorado Springs.  Pray for the staff and volunteers who counsel women who are confused and seeking help.

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin just finished two workshops in the Colorado Springs area – one at VGBC and the other one at Colorado Christian Fellowship. Continue to pray for openings through other congregations for him to share the Evangelism Explosion curriculum and pray for congregations to embrace the mission of sharing their faith in Jesus.  A praise – Vanessa Trammell was certified as a Share Your Faith workshop teacher! Please pray for Kevin and Gina as they raise financial support for this ministry.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) The Jacksons are music teachers in a Christian school.  Dusty has been mentoring these students for the past six years.  A student recently sent Dusty a letter telling him how he encouraged so many students – whether it was as a band director, track coach or as a believer.  Wow what an encouraging student!  Dusty again is coaching high school track.  Pray for his efforts as he strives to prepare his students physically and spiritually.

Arlyn VanEnns: (Canada, Central America and India) Thank the Lord for a small group of faithful believers surrounded by Catholicism new age and witchcraft.  Pray for brother Peter Desjarlais one of the very few Christian elders on his very large reservation as he seeks to lead his wife and large family into like-minded faith.

Herb and Celeste: (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Herb and Celeste’s visas were renewed for another 60 days. They remain on a single exit entry status which is a reminder that there are no guarantees they can live there indefinitely.  This uncertainty has prompted a sense of urgency in them to use their time wisely to share Christ.  This past Wednesday they taught English at a university.  The door has opened for them to have additional time with students through the fall.  Pray these students will hear and believe in Jesus as their Savior.  Pray for H and C’s church home.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) The VGBC Handbell Choir was well-received by the students at St. Oliver’s National School.  Even the kids got a chance to play a bell.  Some of the school children brought their parents – some parents and even some locals attended Sunday services.  The total attendees Sunday morning numbered over 50 people who heard the Gospel.  Pray the Lord would bless these outreach opportunities.

Robbyn Booker: (Middle East and Africa) Since April evangelical churches throughout the Gibraltar area have been on streets, beaches and in residential areas sharing Christ with the general public.  People have been coming to Christ – some even have been baptized in the Mediterranean Sea!  At the same time pastors, choirs and musicians have been preparing for Inspira 2023 an evangelical outreach held in the bullring in Algeciras.  Pray for the thousands of lost people in this very dark area of Spain.  Pray they will hear the Gospel and accept Jesus as Savior.

Week of Sep 10^th 2023

HOME MISSIONARIES

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) In the past three weeks Christian Challenge (CC) has met with approximately 400 students through hosting various events on campus.  Pray for repeat encounters with these students.  Pray they will allow us to continue to get to know them.  Pray CC students and staff will be able to help them grow in their understanding of Jesus Christ, whether they are believers or non-believers.

Life Network: (COS) Life Network will hold their 40^th annual Gala and Silent Auction September 28 and 29.  They need about 80 quality items to make this event a success.  Instead of selling a well-cherished item, please consider donating the items to Life Network to raise money for their ministry.  Please pray for their staff as they counsel men and women about unplanned pregnancies.  Pray for the volunteer training they had this past week.  Pray the new team members will be committed to becoming a part of the team and working in the area where they are gifted.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Oswald and Amanda: About 60 ladies from their church attended a three-day women’s retreat where the ladies went deeper in God’s word and learned more about biblical worship.  After the retreat the women in the jewelry business were excited and led a devotion the following week during their business meeting.  Many of these ladies are not believers.  Pray the ladies from their church continue to go deeper into God’s word.  Pray the ladies in the jewelry business would be able to reach out to those ladies who do not know Jesus and lovingly share their faith with these ladies.

Herb and Celeste: (Chiang Mai, Thailand) This past Monday they received another 60-day visa.  Pray the Lord opens doors to teach English to university students who are learning tourism trades.  Pray the Lord guides Herb and Celeste to their future church home.  The next Prayer Zoom Room is September 12^th – Myanmar and Indonesia.  Register at imb.org/apac/events.  Pray for H and C and safe travel as they attend about a week of meetings.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) The VGBC Handbell Choir performed at Tralee Baptist Church last Sunday.  They performed at various locales during the week.  They will also perform at Grace Baptist Church on Sunday, September 10^th.  Pray people who hear the evangelistic message which accompanies this music will respond by asking Jesus into their lives.  Pray for the mother of one of the church members as cancer is in her lymph nodes.

Robbyn Booker: (Middle East and Africa) Reach Beyond has been instrumental in starting two stations in Sierra Leone – one in Kabala and one in Mongo.  Recently Reach Beyond technician, Joseph, went to Sierra Leone to conduct training for the staffs of these radio stations.  The station managers acknowledged this training was “essential and good.”  Pray this training will allow these stations to reach this area of the country primarily dominated by Islam and animism.

Week of Sep 3^rd 2023

HOME MISSIONARIES

Life Network: (COS) Eighty-seven percent of ladies who are pregnant choose life after seeing their baby in an ultrasound.  There is an urgent need for milk-based baby formula especially Gentle Ease or store brand equivalents. Also, Life Network needs diapers sizes 3, 4 and 5.  Please consider other gifts such as baby food and gently used summer pajamas sizes 12, 18 and 24 months and 3T.  Please pray for this vibrant ministry as they provide alternatives to abortion.

Jonathan and Myrna Ferre: (COS) Jonathan is an NAMB church planter and pastors Calvary Gracia & Verdad.  Pray for the congregation to keep their eyes on Jesus and value Him more than the temporary treasures of this fading world.  Pray for new families who want to become members.  Pray for their son Jonatan as his autism has been more difficult to manage.  Pray for the salvation and discipleship of their children, especially Peniel as he turns 13 years old.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Oswald and Amanda: Last month a team of volunteers came to the children’s home to conduct a basketball camp.  They had several days of coaching and playing.  The children really enjoyed getting out of the home and playing sports with their friends.  The children also got to hear testimonies and stories.  Local partners also helped with soccer and basketball – some of these volunteers actually grew up in this children’s home.  Pray for more partnerships with like-minded, like-rooted believers who want to share Christ with these children and their caregivers.

Herb and Celeste: (Chiang Mai, Thailand) They have established their home in Chiang Mai.  Pray they can establish a weekly routine which includes being sensitive to the Lords “in the moment” encounters!  Their 60-day visas expire on September 7.  Pray immigration will send them an appointment for the required interview and that renewal takes place before the expiration date of the old visas.  Herb and Celeste have an opportunity to assist the local tourism industry by teaching English. Pray these relationships will lead to gospel conversations!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Please remember the Bells of Vista Grande Baptist Church Handbell Choir as they minister in Killarney Ireland these next few days!  Pray the evangelistic message and the music will prompt people to seek our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Pray for Ian as he returns to school on September 11.  Pray for Mark and Lona as they go to Wales for a walking trip at the end of September.

Robbyn Booker: (Middle East and Africa) We have been praying for the Civil War in Cameroon to subside to allow construction materials to get to the new radiation treatment building at the Mbingo Baptist Hospital.  The Lord has answered those prayers.  The Civil War continues however, the rebels are allowing the construction vehicles and the materials to get to the hospital so construction has resumed! Please pray this building can be finished as soon as possible. Also pray for a new ambulance and a patient bus and the funds to pay for these much-needed vehicles.

Week of Aug 27^th 2023

HOME MISSIONARIES

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, Colorado) The Herolds head Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado.  Their staff retreat in July was relaxing and helped with the fall semester planning.  They officially added one new intern, Zoe Race!  Christian Challenge has invested a great deal of energy in engaging incoming freshmen for their first two weeks on campus. They have planned an event every day during this time.  Pray for divine contacts with this new freshman class.

Jonathan and Myrna Ferre: (COS) Jonathan is an NAMB church planter and pastors Calvary Gracia & Verdad.  Pray for the congregation to keep their eyes on Jesus and value Him more than the temporary treasures of this fading world.  Pray for new families who want to become members.  Pray for their son Jonatan as his autism has been more difficult to manage.  Pray for the salvation and discipleship of their children, especially Peniel as he turns 13 years old.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Oswald and Amanda: O and A are IMB missionaries in Asia.  Their family is making inroads in meeting an indigenous minority group in the surrounding mountain villages and even in their local area.  Pray for them as they strategize on how to meet and establish relationships with these people.  Pray for opportunities to share their lives with these people.

Herb and Celeste: Every second Tuesday, Herb and Celeste’s creative team produces a monthly Prayer Zoom Room which high lights a country in the Asia Pacific Rim area.  It is a fascinating time to interact with International Mission Board missionaries who are on the mission field in this part of the world.  It is a time of prayer with these ambassadors.  The next Prayer Zoom Room is September 12^th ,8:00 PM (Mountain Time). They will pray for the Lord’s work in Indonesia.  You may sign up for this time at imb.org/events/?affinity_group=AG650.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist Church meets in the school building at Saint Oliver’s National School every Sunday, rent free! The school only asks that the church pray for the school staff, students and teachers.  Pray for the walking groups and the golfing buddies that Mark interacts with on a regular basis.  Pray for their spiritual lives. Pray for the Vista Grande Baptist Church handbell choir which will perform several times in Killarney 1-10 September.  Pray the Gospel presentation will draw many people to Jesus.

Robbyn Booker: (Middle East and Africa) This past Wednesday, Robbyn went through a major oral surgery.  Pray for her recovery.  Radio Lilanguka in Malawi is a strong community station – one of the most popular in the country.  Media students from all over Malawi do internships where they are given experience and discipled.  This station reaches the majority of two million people of the unreached Yao tribe.  In the last year Reach Beyond discovered a new antenna was causing the transmitter to overheat.  The Reach Beyond technician, Alfred, endured a vehicle with a leaking gas tank, and paying for gas priced at twice the value, finally got to the radio station.  He repaired the problem and now Radio Lilanguka is clearly transmitting the Gospel to communities farther away than expected!