Week of 25 Apr 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Brooks Salgado and Jaymee Collins: (COS) They have been approved to attend this summer’s Asian short term missions project.  They are both trying to raise $5,000 for this trip.  Pray for them as they get ready to minister in Asia.  Brooks will be the team leader.  Four other students will join the team from two other schools.  Pray for the missionaries their team is supporting.  COVID -19 precautions will likely cause this project to be very fluid.  Pray for a valid ministry to the people in this area.

LifeNetwork: (COS) A huge praise: the LifeNetwork thrift store has expanded by 40% – now there is nearly 5,000 square feet to house the gently used items for their clients.  This thrift store is located at 5406 North Academy Blvd.  Also, please plan to walk for life on Saturday June 5^th!  The LifeNetwork pregnancy center in Fountain, Colorado will soon be open.  Thank you for donating to this incredible cause.  It is a vote for life!

Springs Rescue Mission: (COS) Thank the Lord for the completion of their welcome center.  Springs Rescue Mission is grateful for city officials, donors, community partners, volunteers and staff.  Please pray for the leadership team for wisdom as they lead this ministry.  Pray for clients, guests and residents that they will cooperate with staff in accomplishing their desires for good health, housing and work!

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, CO) This year they will be losing two of their core team members as they graduate from school. But the exciting part is they are welcoming three new core team members to the campus ministry. These new members have gone through a process of applying, interviewing and praying about their commitment for the next year.  Please pray for these students as they have already demonstrated faithfulness, availability, and hearts for people to know Jesus as their Savior.  Also please pray for Becca as she takes care of little dude who is three years old.  Pray for her patience and grace as she desires to teach him that he is loved and safe.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

K and B:  Continue to pray for the eight units on their team as they are trying to get into their ministry country.  Pray their visa paperwork will find favor with their governments where they are applying.  Pray for K and B as they have fun with their granddaughters and give Mom and Dad a break from them.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Ian’s interview last week with Munster Technical University went well.  Praise the Lord – there is a slight loosening of travel restrictions in Killarney.  Grace Baptist has placed an ad in a local magazine for people to receive a copy of the Gospel of Luke.  Pray people will contact the church for this booklet and for the interest generated about spiritual things.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) As most of you know, Robbyn is the main administrative and financial professional staff member at Reach Beyond who keeps the Middle Eastern, North African and now the entire African ministry running smoothly.  It is a full time job. In the past year several of her senior donors have gone home to the Lord!  She needs some replacement supporters to come alongside her to keep her on the mission field.  Please pray about how we can keep her in this vital role as the people she administratively supports are ministering to a critical region!  

Herb and Celeste: Thank the Lord for the virtual technology that has come out of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Last week’s monthly East Asian prayer zoom rooms exceeded expectations – praise the Lord and thank you for participating! The next prayer zoom rooms will be on May 11.  Pray for H and C’s return to the US this summer. Pray for vaccinations and details to come together.  Pray for their teammate’s application for visas.  The teammates are being asked for additional documents not normally requested.  Pray there will be no more issues.

This coming Sunday (11 Apr) is the last Sunday we will collect the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  Thank you for support of this vital offering!

Week of 11 Apr 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Jonathan Ferre: (COS) The work at their church continues. The men continue to meet monthly to encourage each other and the women have done so as well.  Their church takes every opportunity to share together as a family in the faith.  This past January their son Jonatan celebrated his ninth birthday and Myrna recently published a new devotional book for women based on the book of Psalms.  Peniel has found a new hobby that he enjoys – chess.  Jonathan is now a chaplain candidate in the Army reserves and will go to training this summer for three months at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina.  During this time their church will meet with the Garden Ranch congregation and services will be bilingual.  Pray for Myrna and the family while he is out of town during this training.  Jonatan has autism and is becoming more of a challenge each day for Jonathan and Myrna.  Pray for their wisdom and patience as they parent him each day.  Pray for a miracle in this boy’s life!

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily returned to the recent COMPASS and CHIPs program where 28 missionaries and their 13 children have been training for overseas ministry.  Emily has been caring for and training two precious girls for their part of their parent’s ministry.  They are slated to minister in Argentina and Indonesia.  The entire class of missionaries will deploy to 15 countries around the world.  Please pray for these families and their effectiveness on the mission field.  Pray for Emily as she ministers to families and as she raises her own financial support.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) Because of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the Reach Beyond missionary in Southern Spain who is responsible for Radio Vida FM has not been able to connect with local pastors until recently.  Now that those restrictions have been lifted the missionary has met area pastors to engage them on how they can become the principle resource for programming.  Pray the Lord will use this programming to encourage Christians and also to bring others searching for Jesus to know Him more fully.

Oswald and Amanda: They are now in their new ministry country.  Pray for them as they get settled in their new city.  Pray the Lord would help them stay well after the many hours of travel – several airplanes, airports and cars/buses.  Pray they will assimilate well into their new surroundings.  Pray they will be able to set up their new home.  Pray for unity of their new team as they discover best ways to engage their new people group and their language.

K and B: Pray for their team members as they apply for visas into their ministry countries.  Pray they can all be in country by August 2021.  Pray for K and B as they hike and relax here in the US.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Who would’ve thought Grace Baptist Church would be meeting for a second Easter Sunday on Zoom?  Pray the government will reduce restrictions and allow churches to meet in person again.  Praise the Lord citizens can now travel within the county and they are able to gather outside in small groups.  Pray the Holy Spirit would move in the hearts of the people in Killarney, County Kerry and all of Ireland.  Pray the Lord would bring a revival across Ireland!

Herb and Celeste: Two Uber drivers on Easter Sunday told H and C about their knowledge of Jesus Christ!  One became a believer over ten years ago and shared how difficult it is for his people to go against cultural heritage.  But he also shared about the amazing difference Jesus has made in his life!  The other Uber driver confessed he had never heard of Jesus until H and C’s ride with him!  Pray for him – the Lord knows his name!  Praise the Lord, the all-day online training for missionaries went well!  And the beta test for the East Asia Prayer Zoom Room went very well!  Thank the Lord for H and C’s team and for the use of this technology which brings team members from several countries into one “room.”  Their new teammates are waiting on visa paperwork approval.  Pray for rapid approval.

So far we have collected $16,531 for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  The church goal is $35,000.  There are only two more Sundays to collect this special offering.  Please pray about your part of this vital offering!

Week of 4 Apr 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily returned to the recent COMPASS and CHIPs program where 28 missionaries and their 13 children have been training for overseas ministry.  Emily has been caring for and training two precious girls for their part of their parent’s ministry.  They are slated to minister in Argentina and Indonesia.  The entire class of missionaries will deploy to 15 countries around the world.  Please pray for these families and their effectiveness on the mission field.  Pray for Emily as she ministers to families and as she raises her own financial support.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, Colorado) Isaac and Becca are VGBC-sent missionaries ministering as directors of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado.  Recently a young woman came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior as a result of the Christian Challenge ministry!  Pray for Mary as she continues to grow in the Lord.  Christian Challenge is beginning the Core Team application process for the upcoming year.  Pray the right students will be interested to apply.  Pray for Isaac and Becca’s wisdom as they select students to lead the ministry for the next two semesters.  Isaac and Becca have been taking care of their Foster son for the past seven weeks.  Pray they can parent him well as he works through his trauma.  Pray also for their relationship with the biological mother and that they can be a light leading her to Jesus and all those involved in the case.

Kevin Green: (COS) As of April 1^st, Kevin is taking on new responsibility at Evangelism Explosion as Western Regional Coordinator.  He will be responsible in growing the EE ministry in most of the western states.  Please pray for him as he develops more financial support.  He will be traveling to these states to encourage EE efforts in churches and developing more field workers to teach EE workshops throughout the western region of the US.  Pray for him as he takes on these new responsibilities.  Pray for the Equip America all day seminar in Colorado Springs coming up on June 26^th.  There will be several churches connected and receiving this simulcasted presentation.  Pray the attendees will receive the vision of sharing Christ with others and that this will be the start of revival in Colorado Springs.

LifeNetwork: (COS) LifeNetwork is opening a third pregnancy center in Fountain, Colorado.  They have raised $175,000 to fund the renovations and furnishings for this building that they recently purchased for this pregnancy center!  They would be very grateful for your partnership in the day-to-day operations of this third very important location.  Please pray for them and their leadership for protection and the Lord’s favor in this ministry.  Pray for building permits to be secured quickly to allow renovations to begin.  If you have a skill set to help this ministry please volunteer at this email address kellsworth@elifenetwork.com or call 719-355-1176.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Praise the Lord Kent and Elizabeth and their family are back home after camping out in a hotel/motel for several weeks while their home was repaired from water pipe damage!  It has been exhausting to live in such tight quarters with three children and a dog!  Pray the repairs to the home allow them to rest and spread out again in their home.  Pray for the Christian Challenge ministry.  Lift up the students who are busy raising money for their summer mission trips and pray for these missions to actually go!  Pray for visa applications to be quickly approved for all team players!

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Oswald and Amanda: They arrived in their ministry country this past week with all twenty bags of luggage!  Praise God for their safe arrival to the mission field.  Already they have been meeting teammates and surveying their minority group.  They are in a temporary apartment.  Pray for the details to come together – permanent living quarters, furnishings, shopping to stock the home and getting to meet the people group they want to meet.  Pray the Lord will give them opportunities and relationships to build on.  Oswald says the jet lag has been minimal – pray they will all be able to rest after so many hours of endless travel.

K and B:  Pray for the eight units who make up their team.  They are poised and ready to enter their countries for ministry.  Pray for the countries to open and pray for their paperwork.  Pray their paperwork would find super natural favor through the different governments that are involved.  Pray for these family’s health and wellness.  Pray for K and B’s health clearance to allow them to return to the mission field.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) Mbingo Baptist Hospital, in Mbingo Cameroon, part of the Cameroon Baptist Convention is in the process of building a radiation therapy building to hold two radiotherapy machines.  Reach Beyond Regional Director, Bill Cheung and his wife Emily are civil engineers and have provided the engineering design for this building.  When patients are treated at this facility they hear the clear Gospel message from a team of chaplains and through televised Christian programming and music.  The staff also hold daily worship meetings each morning when shifts begin.  Unfortunately a funding source for the materials of this building has stopped donating funds partly due to civil unrest in Cameroon.  When this building is completed it will be the only location in Cameroon to receive radiation treatment.  Please pray for donors to pick up the responsibility for these crucial donations!

Herb and Celeste: Pray for the virtual mission tours coming up in April.  Pray the Lord would use these tours to help Christ followers and churches here in the US see how they can be used in Asia.  Pray participants who watch these virtual tours will catch the vision and sense a call to go to Asia to help in ministry.  Pray churches will desire to get involved.  Pray Herb and Celeste and their team will have more opportunities to share Christ during the Easter season.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Pray the government of Ireland will loosen the restrictions soon so churches can meet personally again. Pray for Ian and his mental health to grow ever stronger! Praise God he and has two weeks off from school.  Pray young families will find a church home at Grace Baptist Church and help this congregation grow!

We will receive gifts designated to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering through mid-April (11 April).  Please pray about your part of this vital offering!

Week of 28 Mar 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, Colorado) Isaac and Becca are VGBC-sent missionaries ministering as directors of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado.  Recently a young woman came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior as a result of the Christian Challenge ministry!  Pray for Mary as she continues to grow in the Lord.  Christian Challenge is beginning the Core Team application process for the upcoming year.  Pray the right students will be interested to apply.  Pray for Isaac and Becca’s wisdom as they select students to lead the ministry for the next two semesters.  Isaac and Becca have been taking care of their Foster son for the past six weeks.  Pray they can parent him well as he works through his trauma.  Pray also for their relationship with the biological mother and that they can be a light leading her to Jesus and all those involved in the case.

Kevin Green: (COS) As of April 1^st, Kevin is taking on new responsibility at Evangelism Explosion as Western Regional Coordinator.  He will be responsible in growing the EE ministry in most of the western states.  Please pray for him as he develops more financial support.  He will be traveling to these states to encourage EE efforts in churches and developing more field workers to teach EE workshops throughout the western region of the US.  Pray for him as he takes on these new responsibilities.  Pray for the Equip America all day seminar in Colorado Springs coming up on June 26^th.  There will be several churches connected and receiving this simulcasted presentation.  Pray the attendees will get the vision of sharing Christ with others and that this will be the start of revival in Colorado Springs.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) The three students who applied to FOCUS (international missions for the summer) have been accepted!  A team has been formed with three other universities and has begun team meetings via Zoom to start team building.  Please pray for these students as they prepare for an overseas trip at a time when so many countries are aren’t open.  Pray they will be able to go!  Pray for their financial support raising.  Pray for the details to fall into place.  Pray for Brooks Salgado who is the team leader and overseeing all team training.  He will attend team leader training in Kansas on March 26-28.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

K and B:  Pray for the eight units who make up their team.  They are poised and ready to enter their countries for ministry.  Pray for the countries to open and pray for their paperwork.  Pray their paperwork would find super natural favor through the different governments that are involved.  Pray for these families to be well

Herb and Celeste: Herb and Celeste will begin teaching an English speaking Bible study in April in a small church in their town.  Please pray for them as they lead the Bible study.  Pray the Bible study will bring in people who will trust in Christ and be discipled!  Their teammate’s application for visas is being processed.  Pray there will be no delays or issues.  Pray for the virtual Bible study which continues with friends in the big country.  Pray they will have more opportunities to share Christ during the Easter season.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) The surgeries on her eyes have helped immensely – she can see again!  Praise God for these procedures and new glasses.  Earlier this month Robbyn had her gall bladder removed.  It has been painful and hard to rest.  Please pray for her to get a full night’s sleep.  Please continue to pray for Robbyn and her financial support.  Some of her donor/supporters have gone home to the Lord. 

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Thank you for praying for the spiritual emphasis last week.  It was a little strange to have chapel services in homeroom classrooms, yet God still used this time.  During this time Dusty and his students had deep and meaningful discussions resulting in two students confessing belief in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins!  Other students who did not commit to Christ have become more open and are discussing their thoughts.  Dusty’s students come from Russia, Korea, China and Japan.  Pray for these students that they will be open and have a thirst for knowledge about Jesus.  Pray for Dusty as he desires to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to share the love of Christ with these students.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) New cafes and food vendors are opening up to serve customers and make money as COVID restrictions loosen.  Most of these vendors are mobile and “take out” only.  They are all trying to make a little money and the Webbs are only too happy to boost the economy by sampling their wares!  Grace Baptist Church continues to have a good relationship with St Oliver’s National School.  Pray the Lord will help reduce the virus to the point where the church can meet in person again at the school.  Pray for Ian to finish the school year well.  Pray people in Killarney will see the advertisement in the magazine about Grace Baptist and contact Mark.  Pray for the couple Mark is counseling.

The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (AAEO) directly funds Southern Baptist missions work in North America.  Please designate your special offering in a pink envelope in the brochure rack in the foyer.  Or annotate your check memo line AAEO if you’re mailing in your gift.

Kevin and Gina Green celebrate their anniversary 24 March.

Kent Slack celebrates his birthday 26 March.

Week of 21 Mar 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Kevin Green: (COS) Lots of news from Kevin.  He is just back from Phoenix, Arizona where he attended an Equip America conference where senior Evangelism Explosion leaders taught attendees how to share their faith.  The event was simulcasted across three time zones with 30 churches and 150 people virtually attending.  After the teaching portion, teams went out and shared their faith – 63 people heard the Gospel and 17 people professed Christ.  VGBC is going to host the same Equip America here at VGBC on June 26^th!  Start praying now for this one day conference, for the churches that will join us, the attendees who will share their faith and the people who will have an opportunity to ask Jesus into their lives.  Pray for the pastors who will be asked to participate in this event.  Pray for those churches, that they will truly embrace how important it is to share Christ with others.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Kent Slack is the director of Christian Challenge at UCCS and here in the Springs.  Kent and Elizabeth have been encouraged in the past month. First they had planned a retreat for their students but decided against the retreat because they did not have the minimum number of people required to attend the camp. The Slacks realized the students probably needed downtime and recreational time. They get spiritually fed Tuesday nights during Bible study. So they did a day trip to a Denver mall and the IKEA.  Then there was a game night.  Finally they hiked the Painted Mines. They ended the week at the Slacks house with ice cream! Everyone had a great time and everyone felt refreshed.

The Slacks have seen spiritual growth during Tuesday night Bible studies.  They’ve seen new students each week and they generally return.  Pray for continued growth in the number of students who attend Bible study and spiritual growth in their lives.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Osawld and Amanda:  They are hoping to leave the US around 26 March.  Please pray for them as they get ready to leave.  Pray for all the details that go into an international move.  Pray for their children.  Pray for Rocky and the special support he needs.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (South of Seoul, South Korea) This past week the secondary school students where Dusty teaches observed three days of spiritual emphasis in his homeroom classroom – chapels were zoomed into those classrooms.   Pray the seeds sewn in these students will soften their spiritual hearts and help them be open to Christ.  One of Dusty’s students that he has been teaching since their arrival in South Korea is moving to Japan. Please pray the spiritual foundation that has been established in this young man will keep him and his walk solid in Christ.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) The Ephraim Project is on-going in one of the most restrictive countries in the Middle East.  One facet of the project teaches English to build relationships with those wishing to learn English.  Friendships develop and the Gospel is shared and people come to know Christ and are discipled in their new faith.  Sam and Dana are indigenous to this country but they are asylum seekers in Europe.  Before they left their country they planted five churches.  They reach back into their country remotely.  They have been witnessing to a man and his wife.  Recently this man came to Christ – his wife is very close too.  Please pray for this couple and for their discipleship.  Pray also for the Christians and pastor’s safety.  The government is investigating the churches and who attends them.

Herb and Celeste: The virtual prayer room comes on-line on 13 April.  Pray their team gets all the moving parts working.  The next Discover East Asia virtual event is 22 April.  Pray for H and C’s team as they work on this presentation.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise the Lord Ian has been in school for three weeks! Grace Baptist Church has run an advertisement in the local magazine offering free copies of the Gospel of Luke. Please pray that someone will take advantage of this and express a desire to talk about this advertisement or the Gospel of Luke.  Please pray for the couple that Mark has been counseling. Also pray for Jim and Barb who have been longtime supporters for many years they are dealing with health issues.  Please pray for the government to allow churches to meet in person again.

Week of 14 Mar 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Brooks Salgado: (COS) Two student leaders start their Ministry Initiatives this month on campus.  Both initiatives involve engaging students in prayer and evangelism.  Pray for the details to fall into place and that the Lord would use these efforts to minister to the campus.  Pray for Brooks and two other student leaders who are raising funds for an eight week mission trip to South Asia over the summer.  Pray the Lord would prepare their hearts and bless their preparations. 

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Mercy’s Gate has been serving El Paso County since 1982 by providing life-affirming direct services support, ongoing resources and education and a growing network of community referrals and partnerships to individuals and families facing crisis.  Mercy’s Gate is a Christ centered organization following Jesus and leading and seeking to share His love with others. Their desire is to see people flourish and walk with Christ in the local church.  Mercy’s Gate is comprised of several areas:  a food pantry to the working poor in our community; financial counseling; they also share Jesus with those people who come into their office. For information about volunteering your time or donating goods and or funds to this ministry please call 719-277-7470 or contact them at info@mercy‘sgatescs.org

Springs Rescue Mission: (COS) Homeless men, women and children sleep in tents along Fountain Creek.  They battle frigid temperatures and driving snow and many experience complete isolation and painful loneliness.  Please pray for the staff and volunteers at Springs Rescue Mission as they provide men and women struggling with homelessness and hunger a safe place of comfort and warmth at the Springs Rescue Mission.  To become a monthly sponsor please visit springsrescuemission.org or call 719-632-1822

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (South of Seoul, South Korea) Dusty and Ashley are teachers at Gyeonggi Suwon International School (GSIS).  The school is committed to educating the whole child within the context of a faith-based Christian School environment.  Please pray for the Jacksons and their four children as they connect and share Jesus with international students from cultures that have never heard the name of Jesus.  The school is now meeting in person again – pray for Dusty and Ashley to be able to reconnect with students.  Pray for them as they answer student’s questions about Jesus.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) The missionary who takes care of the accounting in the Africa region of Reach Beyond is leaving.  Leadership has asked Robbyn to take over the responsibility in addition to her normal duties of keeping the books for the North Africa and Middle East areas.  This will mean learning about their on-going projects, new currencies, new missionaries and new processes.  She will essentially be handling all of Africa and the Middle East.  Pray for her as she manages her time that she can keep up with the added demand of these new responsibilities.  Pray for new donors who would come alongside Robbyn to pray for her and financially support her.

K and B:  The little six year old girl who was swept away in the river during her mother’s baptism ceremony last year is doing very well!  You may remember this girl was found down river and likely under water for approximately 40 minutes.  She essentially died.  But her mother, a nurse, was able to resuscitate her.  Since then she has made great progress.  Many of the girl’s relatives condemned the baptism as a worthless cult act, criticizing her mother for participating in something that might have led to the child’s demise.  The Saints have prayed day and night and this little girl has made great progress.  The doctors say she is about seventy percent of what she was.  She is able to remember the event – she talks, sings and reads!  Her walking gait is a little uneven.  Pray this little girl would continue to defy worldly odds and that the Lord would use this event to bring many people (including skeptical relatives) to a saving knowledge of a loving and miracle working God!

Herb and Celeste: New team members in the US have been told their paperwork can be sent to their ministry country to apply for visas.  Thank the Lord for this open door!  Pray the paperwork will be found in perfect order and this couple can return to the mission field ASAP!  This couple must be out of their current home by 12 March.  Pray for temporary housing as they await visas.  A local pastor has asked H and C to start an English Bible study as an outreach of their church.  Pray the Lord would give them direction as to what to do.  This past week H and C’s team conducted the beta-testing for a virtual prayer room for their missionaries in this part of the world.  If this goes well they are hoping to provide a prayer room once a month for missionaries to lift up needs in concert with one another.  Imagine the fellowship of believers praying for one another, lifting up each other’s needs before the Lord?  What a powerful encouragement to our missionaries overseas!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Pray for Mark as he counsels a couple.  Lona virtually attended a CrossWorld women’s conference last week.  Several women who attended the virtual conference were part of the Bosnian CrossWorld team who had the COVID-19 virus.  The ladies are recovering and feeling better.  The virus has disrupted the last two years of secondary school.  The Department of Education has given sixth year students several options.  Students can take the leaving certificate exams, go with their classroom scores, or opt for both.  If they opt for both, they will get the higher score between the two.  Pray the Irish government will allow churches to meet.

During the month of March the Missions Committee asks you to pray and consider your support of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering goes directly to fund Southern Baptist missionaries in North America.  Our goal this year is $35,000.  Please pray about your investment in Southern Baptist missions work in the US and Canada.

Mark Webb celebrates a birthday on 16 March; please place your birthday cards in the missions box (church office) NLT than this Sunday morning’s last service, 7 March and the Missions Committee will mail it to him!

Monday, 8 March, is Elizabeth Slack’s birthday!

Week of 7 Mar 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Brooks Salgado: (COS) Pray the club fair this past week at UCCS will bear fruit and that the students they connected with will join them for studies and activities.  Two student leaders start their Ministry Initiatives this month on campus.  Both initiatives involve engaging students in prayer and evangelism.  Pray for the details to fall into place and that the Lord would use these efforts to minister to the campus.  Pray for Brooks and two other student leaders who are preparing to raise funds for an eight week mission trip to South Asia over the summer.  Pray the Lord would prepare their hearts and bless their preparations. 

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily is Mission Training International’s, Assistant Director for the Children’s Pre-Field Program (CHIPs).  This program teaches children (missionary kids – MKs) how to be prepared to live in cross cultural environments.  The CHIPs program is normally presented in conjunction with the Pre-Field Training (COMPASS) course which teaches the adult missionaries how to minister overseas.  The January COMPASS course was lightly attended and there were not many children attending so MTI’s leadership allowed Emily extra time off to concentrate on raising financial support.  Emily spent Christmas with her parents in North Carolina and she stayed there in January to present MTI’s ministry to local pastors and their congregations in her parent’s area.  Pray for Emily’s fund raising – pray the Lord would bring new donors and prayer warriors to help her meet her needs.

LifeNetwork: (COS) Pray for the raising of $175 by mid-April to open their third pregnancy center in Fountain Valley, Colorado.  Pray for the renovation and construction project that is on-going in that facility and that they can open this pregnancy center in April completely debt-free. Pray permits and approvals through the city go expeditiously so that their doors can open up and minister to others by late spring

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) You will remember Radio Vida is Reach Beyond’s FM station in Southern Spain.  This is an economically depressed area of Europe. Reach Beyond has connected with local pastors, missionaries and Christian volunteers to follow-up with radio listeners who respond to Gospel message productions on this radio station.  There’s a lot of work and coordination needed to ensure there is timely follow-up with people interested in the Gospel.  Pray for the leadership of this group in Southern Spain that they will make a huge impact for an area of Spain that needs to hear the Gospel.

K and B:  There are reports out of Swirl Land that authorities are interviewing believers.  The questions have been centering on the Swirl people’s finances and reports of their meeting to read from a book.  Pray for these Saints to be safe, protected and that Holy Spirit will blind the eyes of those doing the questioning and accusing.  Pray the innocent explanations of these Saints satisfy the accusers and warrant no further questioning.

Herb and Celeste:  The virtual Discover East Asia event last week had over 350 people in attendance!  One attendee remarked the presentation was impactful and encouraging to hear what others are doing around the world.  Another person commented that, “It helped to visualize what I have been praying for as I pray for the International Mission Board prayer requests.”  If you attended this event thank you so much for the success of the event.  There is another virtual missions tour coming up on April 22 at 8 PM Mountain Time.  Please pray for Herb and Celeste as they are working on that production at this moment.  Also please pray for videographers and other technicians who can help them in organizing the media presentation. Pray for Celeste as she has been asked to lead a Bible study in their community.  Pray for the women who will respond to God’s prompt to participate in this Bible study.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise the Lord for the good attendance to this past week’s Bible study, Prayer meeting and worship service – all Zoom meetings.  Pray for the day this church can meet in person again.  Pray for the health and safety of students as they return to school over the next several weeks.  Pray for Mark as he counsels a couple.  Lona is virtually attending a CrossWorld women’s conference this week.  These ladies represent team members throughout Europe.  Pray these ladies will be encouraged by what they hear during the conference.  Several CrossWorld team members are suffering with COVID-19 in Bosnia.  Pray for their recovery.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Thank the Lord for the gifts given by God’s people during the LMCO 2020 season.  Our church sent $104,234.57 to the International Missions Board this past week.  Thank you all for your selfless gifts to keep our missionaries in the fight on the mission field.

During the month of March the Missions Committee asks you to pray and consider your support of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering goes directly to fund Southern Baptist missionaries in North America.  Our goal this year is $35,000.  Please pray about your investment in Southern Baptist missions work in the US and Canada.

Week of 28 Feb 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily is Mission Training International’s, Assistant Director for the Children’s Pre-Field Program (CHIPs).  This program teaches children (missionary kids – MKs) how to be prepared to live in cross cultural environments.  The CHIPs program is normally presented in conjunction with the Pre-Field Training (COMPASS) course which teaches the adult missionaries how to minister overseas.  The January COMPASS course was lightly attended and there were not many children attending so MTI’s leadership allowed Emily extra time off to concentrate on raising financial support.  Emily spent Christmas with her parents in North Carolina and she stayed there in January to present MTI’s ministry to local pastors and their congregations in her parent’s area.  Pray for Emily’s fund raising – pray the Lord would bring new donors and prayer warriors to help her meet her needs.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Normally Christian Challenge (CC) plans a Spring Break trip or project that centers on providing a service to others or sharing the Gospel.  This year because of the COVID-19 pandemic they decided on a staycation spring break last week.  They had over twenty students participate.  Several students remarked they really enjoyed their time growing and connecting to others.  Pray for Kent, Elizabeth and their leadership team as they try to connect with students while also obeying school restrictions on meetings and where they can meet.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) You will remember the US Reach Beyond office could no longer underwrite the property costs for the Spanish offices in Southern Spain.  Then it appeared the Dutch offices for Reach Beyond would be able to pay for the property and use it for ministry purposes.  Unfortunately that deal fell through.  But the Lord was not done with this valuable property.  A Canadian organization wants to underwrite the costs of Reach Beyond’s Southern Spain office for the next two years!  Praise God!  It looks as if Reach Beyond will continue to utilize this facility at least for the next two years.  Pray these facilities will continue to be used to send the Gospel to the Region Beyond.  Pray hearers of the word would also come to know Jesus as Savior.  Pray for Robbyn’s upcoming gall bladder surgery on March 8^th.  Pray for the surgery to go well and for her to recover quickly.

K and B:  There are reports out of Swirl Land that authorities are interviewing believers.  The questions have been centering on the Swirl people’s finances and reports of their meeting to read from a book.  Pray for these Saints to be safe, protected and that Holy Spirit will blind the eyes of those doing the questioning and accusing.  Pray the innocent explanations of these Saints satisfy the accusers and warrant no further questioning.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise the Lord there were over 30 people who virtually attended Grace Baptist’s Zoom church service this past week.  Ireland is in strict lockdown through the end of April.  Pray the country’s COVID-19 cases drastically reduce so the country will begin opening up.  Pray Grace Baptist Church will stay focused on God’s word and remain encouraged and upbeat about the digital meeting.  Pray for church members whose spouses and family members are not believers.  Pray for young families to find a home at Grace Baptist.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty and Ashley are seeking the Lord’s wisdom and leading as they explore other areas of ministry.  Dusty has interviewed for a youth pastor position in a church in the US.  Please pray for them as they seek what God has in store for them.

Herb and Celeste:  Pray for visa paperwork for new team mates to be processed as quickly as possible.  A mentor to Herb for forty years is being treated for cancer.  Pray for this man’s healing.  H and C were able to reconnect with friends from the mainland.  Pray for more intentional connections with them.  The bi-lingual Bible study at their church is growing.  Pray the Lord will guide H and C to foster community and closeness with these members.

Please consider a one-time gift to help the Casas Por Cristo Team as they build a house for deserving people in Juarez, Mexico.  Your funds will help this team purchase much needed supplies and building materials.  Simply place your gift in a pink envelope earmarked for “Mexico Missions Trip.”

Week of 21 Feb 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Jonathan and Mryna Ferre: (COS) Church planters with the North American Mission Board and the Pikes Peak Baptist Association, Jonathan pastors Gracia y Verdad, a Spanish speaking church.  Pray for their membership class – the candidates and their preparations.  Jonathan recently quit his part-time job to concentrate more on his family and pastoring the church.  Pray the Lord will provide for the families in their church.  Pray church members would place their total faith in the Lord no matter what challenges and difficulties this year might bring.

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Behind every service offered to community neighbors, Mercy’s Gate’s common goal is to share the Gospel of Christ to the lost and suffering. Testimonial after testimonial documents Mercy’s Gate’s impact on our community – helping to pay electrical bills, rent, providing groceries and sharing the love of Christ with the lost!  Please pray for and consider a donation to their ministry. Also, consider personally getting involved.  Plan to attend a volunteer orientation tour on the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00PM – 2:00 PM so you can learn how your gifts and talents can be used at Mercy’s Gate.  Contact Mercy’s Gate at 719-470-2503 or volunteer@mercysgatecs.org.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) This current semester has been the most challenging in their ministry!  Because of the fluid nature of managing COVID-19 precautions, UCCS leadership has had to make changes sometimes affecting others with little notice.  Normally Christian Challenge (CC) plans a Spring Break trip or project that centers on providing a service to others or sharing the Gospel.  This year they planned to minister in Mexico.  However, the university changed Spring Break to only three days.  When the university changed their Spring Break plans, CC had to change abruptly and energize students to get involved.  So CC had a “staycation” here in the local area 17 – 19 Feb.  This time was used for students to connect and form relationships and go deeper in their walk with Jesus.  Pray the weather allowed for some outside activities and that everyone will stay well and healthy.

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is teaching On The Job Training next week in Phoenix, Arizona as part of the Equip America event.  Pray for the pastors and church leaders who will attend.  Pray they would be encouraged to share the hope of the Gospel one on one with others.  Kevin is leading a Share Your Faith workshop at Springs Lighthouse church on March 20^th.  Pray for this event – pray for good interest and attendance.  Also, pray this church will want to continue through an eight week semester of Everyday Evangelism.

LifeNetwork: (COS) The new administration is once again planning to use federal tax dollars to finance abortions overseas and they plan to reinstate federal funding for abortions under Title X, increasing federal support to Planned Parenthood.  These are sad times yet LifeNetwork is choosing to look beyond these developments to minister to women “one life at a time.”  When you pray and financially support LifeNetwork you are investing in the lives of mothers, fathers and their pre-born babies who need your help.  Soon LifeNetwork will open their Fountain Valley pregnancy center, their third pregnancy center in Colorado Springs.  This pregnancy center is located in the heart of an area where women and men are facing crisis pregnancies every day.  Use this link Give the gift of life! – Life Network to help LifeNetwork minister to others or volunteer your time.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise the Lord there were 34 in attendance this past Sunday morning at Grace Baptist Church. Also praise – Ian has the week off and will be preparing for midterm exams.  Pray for the government to allow churches to meet physically.  Pray Grace Baptist Church will focus on God’s word and be encouraged during this lockdown.  The church recently placed an advertisement in a local magazine offering free copies of the Gospel of Luke.  Please pray this advertisement will be seen by people who need to know who Jesus is and that they will contact the church.  Pray for the couple that Mark is counseling.  The French government is trying to pass a law restricting Muslim autonomy in France. If this proposed law passes this could adversely impact other faiths such as evangelical churches. Please pray that this will not pass in the French government.  Pray for the staff, teachers and students at Saint Oliver’s National School.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) The missionary who has been handling the financial records for Reach Beyond’s Sub –Saharan Africa Region is leaving at the end of this month.  Reach Beyond’s leadership has asked Robbyn to take over this responsibility and Robbyn has accepted the position.  She’s really going to be busy!  Pray for her time management and, of course, she is handling these responsibilities on two different continents and she is about eight time zones away from the actual people she’s helping.  Also pray for her upcoming gall bladder surgery on March 8^th.  Pray for the surgery to go well and for her to recover quickly.

K and B:  They are now in COS – give them an elbow bump when you see them these next few weeks!  One unit (couple) has arrived in their ministry area from the US and is in quarantine.  Pray for five other units waiting to enter their ministry country.  Pray for B’s father as he recuperates from a heart procedure.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty and Ashley are seeking the Lord’s wisdom and leading as they explore other areas of ministry.  Dusty has interviewed for a youth pastor position in a church in the US.  Please pray for them as they seek what God has in store for them.

Oswald and Amanda: Rocky’s surgery on 26 Jan went well but he is healing slowly and encountering more swelling than anticipated.  Oswald and Amanda will likely hold off coming back to COS until Rocky’s swollen leg subsides.  Pray for his complete recovery and that he will be able to fit into his prosthetic.  Pray for their wisdom as they think about returning to COS and eventually to their new home of ministry.

Herb and Celeste:  One of their teammates has to pass a language exam.  Pray this will happen so she can join H and C’s team full-time.  Pray for the borders to their country to open up so new team members can arrive.  Another virtual missions tour occurred this past Wednesday evening.  Pray for its outcome.  Pray the Lord would use these virtual tours and that Holy Spirit would lead others to the missions field.

Please consider a one-time gift to help the Casas Por Cristo Team as they build a house for deserving people in Juarez, Mexico.  Your funds will help this team purchase much needed supplies and building materials.  Simply place your gift in a pink envelope earmarked for “Mexico Missions Trip.”

Week of 14 Feb 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Behind every service offered to community neighbors, Mercy’s Gate’s common goal is to share the Gospel of Christ to the lost and suffering. Testimonial after testimonial documents Mercy’s Gate’s impact on our community – helping to pay electrical bills, rent, providing groceries and sharing the love of Christ with the lost!  Please pray for this ministry and consider a donation to their ministry. Also, consider personally getting involved.  Plan to attend a volunteer orientation tour on the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00PM – 2:00 PM so you can learn how your gifts and talents can be used at Mercy’s Gate.  Contact Mercy’s Gate at 719-470-2503 or volunteer@mercysgatecs.org.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Kent and Elizabeth have formed a Christian Challenge club independent of the UCCS club to provide more ability to minister to students without the COVID-19 regulations on campus.  The UCCS Christian Challenge club will continue but will be less active due to the COVID-19 health precautions.  All college students are invited to all activities; the Slacks simply can’t promote them through the school.  Pray they will be able to connect with more students because of this move.  Pray they will be able to figure out how to actively use their club status at UCCS.

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is leading a Share Your Faith workshop at Springs Lighthouse church on March 20^th.  Pray for this event – pray for good interest and attendance.  Also, pray this church will want to continue through an eight week semester of Everyday Evangelism.  Kevin will be teaching on the job training in Phoenix, Arizona as a part of the Evangelism Explosion Equip America event on February 27^th.  Pray many pastors will attend and find the one on one method of sharing the Gospel still works today.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) Robbyn recently reported she had lost nine supporters and was $350 below normal monthly funding.  A generous donation came to the Reach Beyond ministry which was meant for underfunded missionaries.  This amount has helped Robbyn immensely.  Still, please consider reaching out to Robbyn to pray for her and financially support her.  Thank you for praying for her physical ailments.  The cataract surgery has helped her distance vision and reading glasses are helping her “close up” work.  She must have her gall bladder removed but this is not possible until her platelet count comes up.  Pray for the timing to be right for this procedure.

K and B:  One unit (couple) has arrived in their ministry area from the US and is in quarantine.  Pray for five other units trying to enter their ministry country.  K and B are due in COS the last two weeks of February.  Wish them happy anniversary when you see them, it is 16 February.  Pray for B’s father as he recuperates from a heart procedure.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Their school has been totally on-line for the past month.  The only exception to this is parent families where both mother and father work outside the home.  In those cases the student can come to school for emergency childcare provided by Teacher’s Assistants like Ashley.  Recently Ashely received a new girl in her second grade class and has gotten to know her.  She’s one of eight emergency childcare students.  Ashley took this girl to the school library to check out some books.  The girl told Ashley she was interested in books about Jesus!  Ashely helped the girl check out a Bible and some picture books about Jesus.  Pray for this little girl as she asks questions about Jesus.  Pray for Ashley that she will be ready to answer questions and mentor this child.  Pray this child’s interest in Jesus will also open the door to taking the Gospel to her parents.

Oswald and Amanda: Rocky’s surgery on 26 Jan went well but he is healing slowly and encountering more swelling than anticipated.  Oswald and Amanda will likely hold off coming back to COS until Rocky’s swollen leg subsides.  Pray for his complete recovery and that he will be able to fit into his prosthetic.  Pray for their wisdom as they think about returning to COS and eventually to their new home of ministry.

Herb and Celeste:  Herb and Celeste’s creative team is holding another virtual missions tour Wednesday, 17 February at 8:00 PM Mountain Time.  To “attend” please register at this Internet address: Meeting Registration – Zoom – you must have a Zoom account which is easy to set up.  The tour will feature missionaries from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other locations.  One of the featured couples is on K and B’s ministry team.  Even though this virtual tour is late, please take the time to watch and listen to the work that is going on in these areas of the world in Jesus’ Name!  One of their teammates has to pass a language exam.  Pray this will happen so she can join H and C’s team full-time.  Pray for the borders to their country to open up so new team members can arrive.

Please consider a one-time gift to help the Casas Por Cristo Team as they build a house for deserving people in Juarez, Mexico next month.  Your funds will help this team purchase much needed supplies and building materials.  Simply place your gift in a pink envelope earmarked for “Mexico Missions Trip.”

Week of 14 Feb 2021

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                            

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Behind every service offered to community neighbors, Mercy’s Gate’s common goal is to share the Gospel of Christ to the lost and suffering. Testimonial after testimonial documents Mercy’s Gate’s impact on our community – helping to pay electrical bills, rent, providing groceries and sharing the love of Christ with the lost!  Please pray for this ministry and consider a donation to their ministry. Also, consider personally getting involved.  Plan to attend a volunteer orientation tour on the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00PM – 2:00 PM so you can learn how your gifts and talents can be used at Mercy’s Gate.  Contact Mercy’s Gate at 719-470-2503 or volunteer@mercysgatecs.org.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Kent and Elizabeth have formed a Christian Challenge club independent of the UCCS club to provide more ability to minister to students without the COVID-19 regulations on campus.  The UCCS Christian Challenge club will continue but will be less active due to the COVID-19 health precautions.  All college students are invited to all activities; the Slacks simply can’t promote them through the school.  Pray they will be able to connect with more students because of this move.  Pray they will be able to figure out how to actively use their club status at UCCS.

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is leading a Share Your Faith workshop at Springs Lighthouse church on March 20^th.  Pray for this event – pray for good interest and attendance.  Also, pray this church will want to continue through an eight week semester of Everyday Evangelism.  Kevin will be teaching on the job training in Phoenix, Arizona as a part of the Evangelism Explosion Equip America event on February 27^th.  Pray many pastors will attend and find the one on one method of sharing the Gospel still works today.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) Robbyn recently reported she had lost nine supporters and was $350 below normal monthly funding.  A generous donation came to the Reach Beyond ministry which was meant for underfunded missionaries.  This amount has helped Robbyn immensely.  Still, please consider reaching out to Robbyn to pray for her and financially support her.  Thank you for praying for her physical ailments.  The cataract surgery has helped her distance vision and reading glasses are helping her “close up” work.  She must have her gall bladder removed but this is not possible until her platelet count comes up.  Pray for the timing to be right for this procedure.

K and B:  One unit (couple) has arrived in their ministry area from the US and is in quarantine.  Pray for five other units trying to enter their ministry country.  K and B are due in COS the last two weeks of February.  Wish them happy anniversary when you see them, it is 16 February.  Pray for B’s father as he recuperates from a heart procedure.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Their school has been totally on-line for the past month.  The only exception to this is parent families where both mother and father work outside the home.  In those cases the student can come to school for emergency childcare provided by Teacher’s Assistants like Ashley.  Recently Ashely received a new girl in her second grade class and has gotten to know her.  She’s one of eight emergency childcare students.  Ashley took this girl to the school library to check out some books.  The girl told Ashley she was interested in books about Jesus!  Ashely helped the girl check out a Bible and some picture books about Jesus.  Pray for this little girl as she asks questions about Jesus.  Pray for Ashley that she will be ready to answer questions and mentor this child.  Pray this child’s interest in Jesus will also open the door to taking the Gospel to her parents.

Oswald and Amanda: Rocky’s surgery on 26 Jan went well but he is healing slowly and encountering more swelling than anticipated.  Oswald and Amanda will likely hold off coming back to COS until Rocky’s swollen leg subsides.  Pray for his complete recovery and that he will be able to fit into his prosthetic.  Pray for their wisdom as they think about returning to COS and eventually to their new home of ministry.

Herb and Celeste:  Herb and Celeste’s creative team is holding another virtual missions tour Wednesday, 17 February at 8:00 PM Mountain Time.  To “attend” please register at this Internet address: Meeting Registration – Zoom – you must have a Zoom account which is easy to set up.  The tour will feature missionaries from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other locations.  One of the featured couples is on K and B’s ministry team.  Even though this virtual tour is late, please take the time to watch and listen to the work that is going on in these areas of the world in Jesus’ Name!  One of their teammates has to pass a language exam.  Pray this will happen so she can join H and C’s team full-time.  Pray for the borders to their country to open up so new team members can arrive.