Save the date and plan to attend the VGBC Missions Conference October 7-9.  The conference emphasis will center on how God can use us as missionaries.

Week of August 21^st 2022

HOME MISSIONARIES

Colorado Missions Offering (In Honor of Nicy Murphy): The VGBC goal for this missions offering is $17,500.  So far we have received $2,632.  By contributing you are investing in seminary students who are responding to the call of full-time Christian ministry.  You are investing in the Ponderosa Camp where hundreds of children and youth have an opportunity to respond to the Gospel each summer.  You are investing in state missions outreach events, resort and leisure ministries and disaster relief!  By the way the Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief reaches many other states – wherever the need is…they respond serving food, mucking out flooded basements, sifting through fire debris.  Their love to others goes way beyond the deeds they perform.  Please pray about your portion of this much needed offering!  Currently Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief needs to replace several vehicles and trailers.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Christian Challenge had their leadership retreat last weekend.  Please pray for their leadership team, especially the student leaders – seven of the eight leaders are new to this role.  Pray all eight of them will have eyes that will see how God is working amongst the students.  Pray they will be encouraged in their efforts to lead and encourage students.  Pray they will be able to focus on God and His calling on their lives.  Pray for Christian Challenge as they meet new students moving into the dorms.  Pray students will be disciplined to follow the Lord’s prompting to faithfully attend Bible studies and grow in their walk.  The remainder of August is full of activities where Christian Challenge will host events designed to meet students and start building relationships.  Pray for these connections!

Jonathan and Myrna Ferre: (COS) Jonathan is pastor of Iglesia  Gracia y Verdad, a Spanish-speaking church fellowship and North American Mission Board church planter.  Praise the Lord, Pastor Jonathan has finished seminary after seven long years!  Their children started school earlier this month.  Jonatán has been doing good in his autism therapies and services, last week he tried a horseback therapy session.  Please pray for grace to persevere, wisdom and direction to know how to continue and patience to manage discouragement.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Herb and Celeste: Herb continues to lead their church’s Constitution and By Laws revision committee.  Pray the Lord will lead in all discussions and decisions.  Due to military tensions between Taiwan and the “mainland,” H and C are fully prepared to deploy themselves to safer environs.  Pray these saber-rattling maneuvers from the big country will be hollow and nothing will come of it.

Ken and Barbie: Ninety-four percent of the people Ken and Barbie’s team is trying to reach is Buddhist.  Every hill and high place have temples dedicated to idols.  Every day, Ken and Barbie ask God to destroy the strongholds these idols have on the hearts of these people.  Pray these people would see God’s provision in Jesus Christ.  Recently K and B shared the Gospel with Irene, Lek and Liang.  Ask God to draw these three women to Himself and reveal His truth.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) The Webbs flew out of Colorado earlier this past week and are now visiting friends and supporters in California.  Pray their connections will go well and that there is good fellowship as they share how God is moving in and around the County Kerry area of Ireland.

Robbyn Booker: (Reach Beyond – Africa and Middle East) Radio Vida which transmits from Southern Spain is increasing Arabic programming to reach the many Arabic speaking people who live in Southern Spain during the work week and then leave for North Africa for the weekend.  It is a short ferry ride between the two continents!  An Arabic woman’s Christian testimony will be featured on broadcasts in the next few weeks.  As her testimony is aired, pray Arabic listeners will hear the life changing Gospel and follow Jesus as Savior!  Workers in Southern Spain are needed…no matter what your age, there is a job for you through Reach Beyond in Southern Spain.

Why do we refer to the Colorado Missions Offering as the Nicy Murphy Missions Offering?  In 1955 Nicy was a single young woman who became a pioneer among Southern Baptists in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.  The Colorado Baptist General Convention was formed in 1956 and Miss Murphy served as the first director of the Woman’s Missionary Union for the state convention.  She raised the banner of missionary education and missionary support throughout the growing convention. She gave leadership to teaching new believers and young churches the value of being on mission where they lived and extending their influence to all parts of the world.  Nicy retired from vocational missionary service in 1976.

On November 13, 2012, Nicy Murphy went home to her Lord. The lives she touched for Christ are forever changed. We celebrate her life and the Kingdom impact she has made throughout Colorado, the surrounding states and the uttermost parts of the earth.  The VGBC Nicy Murphy Missions Offering goal is $17,500 this year.  Please pray about and consider a gift above your normal tithe to support Colorado missions.

(From the Arapahoe Road Baptist Church web site: Colorado State Missions Week of Prayer – Honoring Nicy Murphy – Arapahoe Road Baptist Church (arbc.net)

Week of August 14^th 2022

HOME MISSIONARIES

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) This weekend the Slacks and Christian Challenge leadership will come together in a retreat to plan for the coming semester and encourage each other as a team.  Pray for the corps of leaders – their spiritual maturity and unity.  In the next few weeks Freshmen and new students to UCCS will be moving into dorms.  Christian Challenge staff and students will be available to help students get moved in and to invite them to upcoming Christian Challenge events.  Be in prayer for these new contacts.  Pray students will find a welcoming home on Tuesday evenings at Christian Challenge Bible studies.  Pray for spiritual growth for students who are already Christians.  Pray the students who do not know Jesus personally will come to faith in Him.

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily is the Assistant Director for the Pre-Field Children’s Intercultural Programs (CHIPs) program at Mission Training International (MTI) in Palmer Lake, Colorado.  Her job entails preparing missionary’s children for overseas ministry.  Recently one of her donors had to stop their regular gifts.  Please pray and consider providing one-time or regular gifts to MTI to support Emily.  Pray for Emily – asking for support is challenging.  Pray the Lord would provide her courage and perseverance.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Herb and Celeste: Herb will be preaching two Sundays in August at their church while their pastor is in the US.  Pray Herb will preach the sermons God wants delivered to His people.  Herb continues to lead their church’s Constitution and By Laws revision committee.  Pray the Lord will lead in all discussions and decisions.  Pray many SBC Korean churches will attend the Korean language “Explore the Rim” virtual event on August 18th.  Due to military tensions between Taiwan and the “mainland,” H and C are fully prepared to deploy themselves to safer environs.  Pray these saber-rattling maneuvers from the big country will be hollow and nothing will come of it.

Ken and Barbie: Several families on Ken and Barb’s team are recuperating from COVID.  Please pray for complete symptom-free living soon.  One particular mom (Michaela) of three little ones seems to have another bout of the virus.  By the time you read this hopefully her fever will have subsided and the nagging, hacking cough will be history.  Also pray for little Barnabas (in another M family) – a little boy struggling with Adenovirus and 104 plus fever.  When our families are hurting, it makes it tough to do our jobs.  Pray for healing across Ken and Barb’s team so they can concentrate on their mission while taking care of their precious families.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise the Lord – Mark safely attended the Hershey reunion in St Louis!  Also, Ian had his wisdom teeth successfully extracted!  Pray for his healing.  Lona is not able to get the back injection she hoped for before they leave the US.  Pray she will be able to get treatment when they return to Ireland.  The Webbs fly to California Monday, Aug 15^th and will spend the following two weeks visiting friends and supporters before leaving for Ireland on Aug 29^th.  Pray for safe travel and for connecting with supporters.  Pray the Lord would bless and nurture the myriad connections they’ve made during this US visit.  May these connections net them increased financial and spiritual support enabling them to minister without fear of not meeting financial needs!

Robbyn Booker: (Reach Beyond – Africa and Middle East) For some time Reach Beyond has been looking for experienced talent who could help the Sub-Saharan Africa region develop social media Christian Programming.  Praise the Lord for Benjamin and Tess Waka from Nairobi, Kenya who have joined the Reach Beyond team!  Tess presents a Christian Gospel music program broadcasting from Nairobi.  Pray the Lord will use the Waka’s to bring more Christian programming and social media programming to this area of Africa.  Pray for the impact this programming will have on the people of Nairobi and surrounding area.

Arlyn VanEnns: (India, Central America, Canada) Arlyn is a missiologist with Multi-Nation Missions Foundation, headquartered in Canada.  MMF recently graduated a large class of widows who previously were destitute and illiterate.  Praise the Lord for the funds enabling Hindu and Muslim students to experience the love of Jesus.  Please also pray for the construction of the pipeline from mountain springs down to a Guatemalan village.  Engineering plans and legal paperwork have been approved.  Workers and volunteers are waiting for funds to be released for the work to begin.  Pray this happens before the rainy season.

During the month of August, VGBC will collect funds for the Colorado (Nicy Murphy) Missions Offering.  This year’s goal is $17,500.  Please pray for this special offering and your part of the offering.   This offering funds Southern Baptist outreach events such as revival meetings, youth camps, inner city evangelizing, ski church services and ski slope witnessing.  Help Colorado Baptists make an impact on our state by sharing the name of Jesus in these venues.  And save the date 8-9 Oct, as your Missions Committee presents a weekend missions conference focusing on How Shall They Hear (Rom 10:14).

Week of August 7^th 2022

HOME MISSIONARIES

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily is the Assistant Director for the Pre-Field Children’s Intercultural Programs (CHIPs) program at Mission Training International (MTI) in Palmer Lake, Colorado.  Her job entails preparing missionary’s children for overseas ministry.  Recently one of her donors had to stop their regular gifts.  Please pray and consider providing one-time or regular gifts to MTI to support Emily.  Pray for Emily – asking for support is challenging.  Pray the Lord would provide her courage and perseverance.

Life Network: (COS) The Life Network ministry has numerous volunteer positions that need to be filled.  Pray the Lord would raise new volunteers to attend their next training.  Pray the Lord would use Life Network as a light to the people they serve.  Pray their staff would have opportunities to share Christ with their clients.

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Jason Dilger, Executive Director at Mercy’s Gate will be on a sabbatical leave for two months starting August 1^st. Pray for him as he strives to rest, recreate, read, reconnect with family and the Lord.  Pray for Mercy’s Gate Operations Director, Annette O’Cain, as she assumes Jason’s responsibilities.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Ken and Barbie: Ken and Barbie are just back from a huge conference where many missionaries met for renewal, refreshment and encouragement.  Mississippi Baptists held VBS for the children (MKs) and camp for the youth while mom’s and dad’s hearts were renewed and blessed!  Unfortunately, five out of the eight families on K and B’s team are now recuperating from COVID.  Pray for their recovery – symptoms are already improving!  Thank the Lord for His healing touch!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) The openness and welcoming of new churches and individual supporters have been such a blessing during the Webb’s Home Ministry Assignment.  Twelve years ago when the Webbs moved to Ireland, the main supporting church was VGBC.  Now, because individuals at VGBC have moved to other areas of the country, the Webbs have been invited to speak to nine new churches.  This growth in support has been unexpected and a blessing!  Thank the Lord for this support growth.  Pray these churches and individuals will be faithful with their support to the Webbs.

Robbyn Booker: (Reach Beyond – Africa and Middle East) You will remember previous prayer requests for the Mbingo Baptist Hospital in Cameroon.  The radiation therapy machine (Linac machine) has arrived at the hospital.  All pieces of equipment are being stored in containers.  These parts must be maintained in a climate-controlled environment.  Engineers are trying to determine how to protect this equipment while waiting to install in the radiation therapy building.  Pray for the proper care of this critical equipment.  Pray for the funding and construction of the facility.  Pray the Lord would use this technology to help the hospital staff to minister to the people of Cameroon.

Arlyn VanEnns: (India, Central America, Canada) Arlyn is a missiologist with Multi-Nation Missions Foundation, headquartered in Canada.  MMF recently graduated a large class of widows who previously were destitute and illiterate.  Praise the Lord for the funds enabling Hindu and Muslim students to experience the love of Jesus.  Please also pray for the construction of the pipeline from mountain springs down to a Guatemalan village.  Engineering plans and legal paperwork have been approved.  Workers and volunteers are waiting for funds to be released for the work to begin.  Pray this happens before the rainy season.

During the month of August, VGBC will collect funds for the Colorado (Nicy Murphy) Missions Offering.  This year’s goal is $17,500.  Please pray for this special offering and your part of the offering.   This offering funds Southern Baptist outreach events such as revival meetings, youth camps, inner city evangelizing, ski church services and ski slope witnessing.  Help Colorado Baptists make an impact on our state by sharing the name of Jesus in these venues.

Week of July 31^st 2022

HOME MISSIONARIES

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, CO) You may remember we have been praying for their car problems.  Thanks be to God, through donors and the Lord’s amazing timing, the Herolds have a reliable, replacement car in their family!  Thank you for praying and giving toward this effort!  Before too long they will be fully engaged in campus ministry.  They have shared how mentally tired they are.  But they have had conversations with new and old supporters.  These conversations have given them the joy and hope needed to fuel their next six weeks of intense ministry.

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is the Western Coordinator for Evangelism Explosion.  His area of responsibility is huge!  Pray for the results of the Equip America training that was held in Billings, Montana recently.  Pray for the follow-up from Billings area congregations to ensure new Christians get plugged into churches where they can grow!  Pray for the Share Your Faith workshop and Everyday Evangelism classes scheduled in Pueblo, Colorado in August.  Pray Pueblo congregations will get excited about sharing their faith with the lost and downtrodden.  Pray for Kevin and Gina’s financial support.

Life Network: (COS) In June at least 53% of Life Network’s clients served in their three pregnancy centers were vulnerable to or determined to have an abortion.  More and more women are considering abortion.  These appointments are extremely draining to the Life Network staff and volunteers.  Please hold the Life Network team up in prayer.

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Jason Dilger, Executive Director at Mercy’s Gate will be on a sabbatical leave for two months starting August 1^st. Pray for him as he strives to rest, recreate, read, reconnect with family and the Lord.  Pray for Mercy’s Gate Operations Director, Annette O’Cain, as she assumes Jason’s responsibilities.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Ken and Barbie: Pray for a grandmother and her granddaughter who recently came to Jesus as a result of the Holy Spirit, a local pastor and Ken and Barb’s teammates, Jason and Kristi’s personal outreach efforts.  Pray for the pastor and Jason and Kristi’s efforts to befriend and earn the trust of these villagers.  Pray the Lord would help the grandmother and granddaughter to grow in their faith.

Herb and Celeste: The evening before the English Kids Camp the teachers prayer walked the community.  Many families could be seen in their front rooms watching TV.  Many homes had a shrine illuminated by a red light bearing witness of their beliefs.  Temples were scattered along the route, there were no churches.  Many of the children who lived in these homes would attend the camp.  The curriculum included English Bible stories.  The gospel was presented in songs, games, stories, vocabulary, testimonies, EV cubes, salvation bracelets and art work.  Pray the seeds planted during this camp will have a lasting impact on these children!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) This past week Mark and Lona celebrated their 36^th anniversary!  Praise God for how the Lord works and blesses in marriage!  A doctor’s appointment has revealed Lona has degeneration in her lower back.  She has been referred to a doctor who may provide an injection for pain.

Our Ecuador team finished their work this past week.  As this information gets published early in the week…pray for their safe travel.  Pray for the impact they made on the young people they ministered to.  Pray these children and youth will receive follow-up from local churches to solidify spiritual truths they learned during English classes.

Week of Jul 17^th 2022

HOME MISSIONARIES

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, Colorado) Isaac is director of Christian Challenge on the campus of the University of Northern Colorado.  Pray for their student leadership as they engage the student body at UNC.  Pray their student leaders are spiritually ready to lead and share their lives with those who need to grow spiritually.  Pray for their spiritual walk and their resolve to share the love of the Lord with others.  Pray for Isaac and Becca’s support raising.  Pray for resolution of their vehicle crisis.  One vehicle either needs to be sold for junk and replaced or possibly a new engine needs to be installed to salvage the vehicle.  Pray for their wisdom.  Pray for wise counsel and that someone will step forward to help them.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) The Slacks are on their annual summer trip to Texas to see family, friends and reconnect with their old church contacts.  Pray for their safety as they travel and as they meet new and old supporters.  Pray for new supporters and increased giving!  Kent will be preaching at Mayfield Road Baptist Church on July 17^th.  Please pray for Kent’s preparation for these sermons and for his ability to communicate God’s word effectively.  Pray for the upcoming freshman orientation on July 21^st – pray Christian Challenge will make important connections with students.  Pray for Bible studies and other events where Christian Challenge leaders and staff can make positive contact with new students.

Emily Skinner: (COS) Mission Training International just finished another Compass program sending 46 participants to 19 different countries!  Seventeen teens and children were in the CHIPs class.  Emily had three of these children.  Her children were active, imaginative and enthused to learn new things.  It was fun to see them interact with scripture verses, songs and lessons.  One little girl wrote out her first prayer.  What a treat to see these little minds learn so much!  Emily loves teaching this age group – the children are in a very formative stage of development.  She loves the opportunity and responsibility to play a small part of laying scriptural foundations that will serve them their whole lives.  Emily plays a critical role in preparing young families for overseas service to the Lord.  Please let her know you would like to help financially support her at MTI.

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Please pray about supporting the many facets and missions of Mercy’s Gate.  Some of our church members regularly share their faith while volunteering at Mercy’s Gate.  Mercy’s Gate is a Christian non-profit organization committed to helping the working poor in Colorado Springs by helping them financially and spiritually.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (Africa/Middle East) This month Reach Beyond hopes to get a Christian radio station back on the air in Northern Ghana after the building burned down in 2021.  The facility has been rebuilt and Reach Beyond’s technician believes it is ready for broadcasting programs.  Licensing permissions have been granted and the station should be broadcasting to the one million listeners who primarily are Muslim.  Pray programming will reach hearts ready to hear the truth of the gospel!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland – on home ministry assignment in the US) The Webbs are here at VGBC through August 14^th.  Last Sunday morning Mark reported back to VGBC about how the Lord is using them to show Christ’s love for them.  Pray for Grace Baptist Church in Killarney, Ireland.  Pray for the workers who are keeping the church going during the Webb’s absence.  Praise the Lord, Lona had a good dental appointment – pray the tooth pain will go away.  Pray for Mark as he reports back to the Rosemont Baptist Church in Montrose, Colorado this Sunday, July 17^th.  Pray people will help the Webbs with financial support and become prayer partners.

Herb and Celeste: Herb and Celeste are now in South Korea visiting their children and grandchildren.  It will be their first time seeing them in three years.  Many things have happened since their last reunion – 2 years of COVID-19 and Herb’s father has passed away.  Pray for this reunion…pray for everyone’s health and welfare during the visit and travels.  Pray the time away from normal duties will allow rest and rejuvenation!  Pray for Herb and Celeste’s Creative Team.  Pray they will be able to present the International Mission Board’s mission clearly to SBC and non-SBC audiences prompting people to get involved and support missions in the Asia/Pacific Rim area.

Please pray for several special events coming up on the missions’ calendar later this year.  In late summer we will have an opportunity to give to the Colorado State (Nicy Murphy) Missions offering.  This offering directly supports outreach efforts in Colorado.  This could be in the form of witnessing and holding services on Sunday mornings on ski slopes throughout the state.  It could be in the form of inner city witnessing in Denver.  Later this year we will hold a missions conference – details will be forth coming.  Finally, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is a tradition throughout the Southern Baptist Convention.  Please pray about each of these opportunities to directly affect the effectiveness of missions.

Week of Jul 24^th 2022

HOME MISSIONARIES

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is the Western Coordinator for Evangelism Explosion.  His area of responsibility is huge!  Pray for the results of the Equip America training that was held in Billings, Montana recently.  Pray for the follow-up from Billings area congregations to ensure new Christians get plugged into churches where they can grow!  Pray for the Share Your Faith workshop and Everyday Evangelism classes scheduled in Pueblo, Colorado in August.  Pray Pueblo congregations will get excited about sharing their faith with the lost and downtrodden.  Pray for Kevin and Gina’s financial support.

Life Network: (COS) Life Network has some open positions of employment.  The Education for a Lifetime speaker presents material to middle and high school audiences.  The Parenting Program Assistant Director organizes and plans lessons for clients in a mentoring capacity – lay counseling experience is required.  Pray for the Life Network ministry as they help women choose life for their unborn babies.

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Please go to mercysgatecs.org/food-pantry-needs/ to find their latest needs for their pantry.  Please pray about possibly volunteering at Mercy’s Gate.  If you love to share Jesus with others or have clerical skills or simply want to stock shelves in the pantry, they can use you!

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (Africa/Middle East) Robbyn’s mother, Imogene Booker, went home to Jesus on July 13^th.  Her memorial service is Saturday, July 23^rd at 10:00 AM.  Pray for Robbyn and her family as they grieve Mom’s loss.  Imogene and Leonard were missionaries with Reach Beyond, formerly HCJB Radio in Ecuador for many years…their selfless service is why Robbyn in fluent in Spanish and has a heart for sending God’s word to the nations!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland – on home ministry assignment in the US) The Webbs trip to Colorado’s Western Slope went well.  They had fellowship time with Greg Teel and his church and also Rolland Kennison, Pastor of Rosemont Baptist Church.  Praise the Lord Rosemont is a new supporting church!  Praise the Lord Lona had a good appointment with her foot doctor.  She will have follow-up treatments.

Week of 26 Jun 2022

HOME MISSIONARIES

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Mercy’s Gate is in a push to help children and their parents prepare for the new school year this Fall by having a “Backpack Bash.”  Please consider this act of kindness by buying a backpack or several for a student.  There is a list of school supplies needed on the Mercy’s Gate website at mercysgatecs.org.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Oswald and Amanda: They will be in Colorado Springs soon.  Pray for safe travel.  They will be visiting several congregations including ours.  Pray they are able to rest and use their time to renew relationships with parents and loved ones.

Robbyn Booker: (Africa/Middle East) Huge praise – an anonymous donor has provided a gift which will fund Reach Beyond’s programming in North Africa and the Middle East for all of 2022!  The funds will also underwrite additional programming through the rest of 2022.  Thank the Lord!

VGBC Ecuador Missions Trip: (Caunca, Ecuador) Continue to lift up our team in Ecuador.  Pray for their health and preparation.  Please bathe these team members in prayer as they leave soon: Naila Muffley, Carol Bell, Justis Hsieh, Gloria Mendoza, Ron Muffley, Juliana Negaard, Erin Serra, and Alaina Stroble.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland – on home ministry assignment in the US) The Webb’s had a great week in Terre Haute visiting Marks Dad and Karen.  They also had a great time of fellowship at the Nyesville Full Gospel Church near Rockville, Indiana.  Pray the Webb’s visits and fellowship with new and old supporters will result in increased financial support and prayer partners.  The Webbs will visit Mark’s brother and family and also speak at Elwood Baptist Church Sunday June 26^th.  Pray their fellowship with these people will be an encouragement to them.  Lorna has a dental appointment shortly after arriving in COS next month.  Pray there will be no pain leading up to this appointment. 

Herb and Celeste: The missionary teammates who have been trying to enter Taiwan for the past two years are finally “home” in Taiwan.  Pray for them as they get settled and find the home they need for their family.  Pray for Herb as he leads the local church governance committee he chairs.  They are tackling difficult topics with consensus and unity.  Pray for them as they seek to guide their congregation.  Pray for H and C as they help in a youth camp July 3-8 assisting a Chinese summer kids camp.  They will teach English by sharing Bible stories with the children!

Ken and Barbie: Ken and Barbie are in the US visiting children and grandchildren.  Pray their time in the US is restful and refreshing after ministering to others for so many months straight.  They have helped smooth the way for seven missionary families helping them get bedded down and established in their area of Thailand.  Pray for their team and their individual ministries to different people groups.  Pray for the three young Christians who trusted in Jesus recently during an outreach on the Thai/Laotian border.  Pray these new Christians will grow in their faith in Jesus.

Week of 19 Jun 2022

HOME MISSIONARIES

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Kent and Elizabeth just wrapped up their 14^th year as Director of Christian Challenge at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.  Pray for their two new staff members as they raise financial support this summer.  Pray they will reach their goal by August 1^st.  Pray for CC’s summer events and Bible studies.  Pray for the 4 orientations CC will participate in this summer.  Pray these events will help bring students to them.  Pray for the spiritual growth of those students who already know Jesus.  Pray non-believing students will ask questions and seek the Lord and that a student or staffer will love them, answer their questions and explain the Gospel to them.  Pray students will be saved!

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, Colorado) Isaac is the Director of Christian Challenge on the campus of the University of Northern Colorado.  He and Becca are working to share Christ with the lost students attending classes at UNC.  Praise the Lord for Erin, who literally asked Becca to share Jesus with her!  They are also inviting and growing Christ followers to go deeper into God’s word and share Christ with others.  Pray for them, their student leadership and the students who need to hear about Christ’s love for them.  While the Herold’s ministry comes under the North American Mission Board, their collegiate ministry is a “raise your own support” ministry.  Pray about financially supporting them.

Life Network: (COS) Bridges of Hope offers an in-depth study and support program to those who are struggling with the effects of a past abortion. This takes place across a nine-week healing and support class or a 3-day weekend retreat. Using Biblical principles as tools for healing, the study addresses topics including: grief, anger, guilt, depression and forgiveness.

Many believe they are the only one who has had an abortion. In reality, there are statistics which show that 1 in 3 women will have had an abortion by the age of 45. Few are willing to talk about their abortions because of the shame and regret they feel. As a result, many women and men are suffering in silence.  Pray the Lord would use these classes to heal and save the lost who attend.

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES

Oswald and Amanda: They will be in Colorado Springs soon.  Pray for safe travel.  They will be visiting several congregations including ours.  Pray they are able to rest and use their time to renew relationships with parents and loved ones.

Robbyn Booker: (Africa/Middle East) A young woman in the Middle East confessed to listening to Christian programing from a Reach Beyond ministry partner.  She had been lonely and had been searching for answers since her parents’ divorce.  While surfing the Internet, she found the ministry partner’s web page and contacted the ministry.  The ministry staff answered her questions about God and His love for her!  She accepted Jesus as Lord of her life and was eventually baptized.  She describes her life since coming to understand Jesus’ love for her like “floating in the air, full of joy!”  Pray for Reach Beyond and their ministry partners in North Africa and the Middle East.  Let Robbyn  know you are lifting Reach Beyond and their partners up in prayer.  Let her know you are praying for her.  Please consider becoming a recurring donor or a one-time donor to support her.

VGBC Ecuador Missions Trip: (Caunca, Ecuador) The team leaves for Ecuador next week.  Pray for their health and preparation.  Please bathe these team members in prayer as they leave soon: Naila Muffley, Carol Bell, Justis Hsieh, Gloria Mendoza, Ron Muffley, Juliana Negaard, Erin Serra, and Alaina Stroble.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland – on home ministry assignment in the US) Praise God for safe travel as they have logged over 5,500 miles since arriving in the US.  They have connected with new congregations – pray for these new relationships and where they will lead.  Ian has connected with several on-line friends he has not seen in years.  Lona has a dental appointment in Colorado in July.  Pray she will not have pain or discomfort before she gets to see the dentist.  For the next two weeks the Webbs will be in Indiana.  Pray the Lord would use this time to strengthen the relationship between the Webbs and two congregations.  Pray for financial support to come out of these visits – pray these churches and individuals would respond to supporting the Webbs and encourage and lift up Grace Baptist Church.

Herb and Celeste: H and C Asia/Pacific Rim Creative team has published a monthly prayer guide…download same at 05_May-Prayer-Guide.pdf – Google Drive.  They are asking several cross-cultural couples they knew on the mainland who are now in the UK to study the Bible on-line with them.  Pray the Lord would give them understanding in how to encourage these couples.  A friend on the mainland is seeking God and considering full-time missions work.  Pray she will find the Lord’s guidance for her life!

Ken and Barbie: Recently several missionaries on Ken and Barbie’s team journeyed to the villages on the Thai and Laotian borders to share Christ and conduct COVID relief.  As a result of sharing Christ with this people, three people rejected Buddha and now worship Jesus.  Christians in this area will help disciple these new believers.  Ask God to open their hearts as they study the Bible for spiritual truth.  Pray for Ken and Barb’s team – they all come from previous ministry areas in the big country.  They had to leave friends where deep friendships had been forged.  They all suffer from transition grief or stress from being uprooted with little warning.  Now ministering in a new country and learning a new language, they all walk with a little limp.  Pray for them and their families to adjust and rest in the fact, God has them in the palm of His hand!  Pray for Ken and Barbie as they travel to the US in June.