Week of 25 Oct 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Brooks Salgado: (COS) Brooks is an alum at UCCS and is the newest member on staff with Christian Challenge at UCCS.  Brooks has been doing everything he can to connect with students.  However, because of the COVID -19 restrictions he is unable to go onto the campus.  He has been leading Bible study and activities in off campus housing and being as creative as possible.  In his spare time he is raising his financial support.  Please pray for Brooks as he approaches people for financial help.  Pray the Lord would remind him He has called him to serve!  Pray the Lord would encourage him as he seeks financial help.

Emily Skinner: (COS) Mission Training International is a para-church organization in Palmer Lake, Colorado which prepares missionaries for cross-cultural ministry around the world.  The training also includes the children of those missionaries.  That’s where our VGBC church member Emily Skinner comes in.  She helps direct the CHIPs (Children’s Intercultural Programs) and works with little people to prepare them to help their mommies and daddies on the mission field.  It would be easy to assume her duties are babysitting but that is way off base.  The curriculum she teaches prepares these children to complement their parents as they minister.  The latest graduates are headed to seventeen different nations around the world.  Pray for these families as they take the Gospel to other cultures in Jesus’ Name!  Pray for Emily and the rest of the MTI staff as they take a breather between classes and get ready for the next class.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, CO) Isaac and Becca head the Christian Challenge (CC) ministry at the University of Northern Colorado.  They have had four students come to faith this semester!  Pray for their spiritual growth.  Pray also for the CC leadership team as they are feeling overwhelmed with academics, ministry and COVID-19.  Pray for an urgency to share the Gospel.  Pray for divine connections with students who are searching and need to hear about Jesus Christ.  Pray for Becca and Isaac as they have applied to be foster care parents.  If all goes well they could be foster parents by the end of the year.

Nicy Murphy Colorado Missions Offering Update: Thank the Lord for your selfless gifts given over the last few weeks.  To date we have received $12,378!

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Casas Por Cristo: (Mexico) Casas Por Cristo is a para church organization which ministers to the poor in several countries. VGBC has a long partnership with the Casas Por Cristo office in El Paso, Texas.  This organization facilitates building homes for poor families across the border in Juarez, Mexico.  This year we tried twice to send a team to build houses and both times, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not go.  Pray for our VGBC volunteers who are already working on planning a March 2021 mission trip to build a home.  Pray for those who will volunteer to build and also pray for the financial resources for each family.  Each year VGBC conducts a rummage sale of secondhand goods which supports the building of houses in Juarez, Mexico. This year the rummage sale was canceled so please pray for financial resources to come in to support this Ministry.

Oswald and Amanda: O and A have interviewed for their follow-on assignment.  Their sending agency is evaluating which people group to send them to.  Please pray for their agency’s wisdom as they consider where O and A should be serving.  Pray for O and A’s preparation (spiritual, physical, mental) as they ready themselves for overseas ministry.

K and B:  These past weeks have been hard for K and B.  One of their colleagues, a young 41 year old man, collapsed and died one week after receiving a sterling physical exam.  He leaves behind a wife and three children.  Another 33 year veteran from Swirl land is now fighting for her life in a US hospital!  K and B’s daughter has COVID-19 – so far her husband and three daughters are negative and are staying away from Mom!  At this writing K and B are in another village encouraging them with food, love and a message that Jesus loves them!  If you feel led to encourage them with a card of encouragement please place it in the missions box in the office.  Please don’t put religious sentiments in the card – simply let them know you are praying for them and love them.  This will be most encouraging to them!  (Do not seal the card’s envelope.)

Herb and Celeste: Praise the Lord H and C have their Alien Resident Cards!  Two of H and C’s old friends from their previous home on the mainland recently went on two separate mission trips.  One group visited people in a poor farming community.  When they got there they discovered the Christ followers had been hard at work.  Two men were ready to accept Jesus as their Savior.  Two other men were ready to be baptized!  During the day they would share the Gospel across the countryside.  In the evenings they would disciple believers with Bible study and teach Godly leadership.  The second group revisited an area they had visited two years previously with the main purpose of establishing a church.  When they arrived they were able to gather the Christ followers together where they formed a church and elected deacons just like in the early church in Acts!  Later the team’s van broke down and they had to borrow a car to ferry the team to the next location.  Those left behind sheltered under a traffic policeman’s tarp and sang hymns.  The police officer enjoyed the hymns and asked the team if they weren’t afraid of the party leaders and they answered the officers if they would like to hear about how to receive Christ as their Savior!  Pray for these fearless ambassadors.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) The Irish government is implementing tighter restrictions which will be in effect for 3 to 6 weeks. Pray for everyone involved. Pray for the church to stay focused on God’s word during this time of restriction.  The mental health of the nation is not good already – there is suicide and abusive addictions and now the prolonged lockdown is liable to make it even worse. Pray people will turn to the Lord and read His word.  One of the ladies in the church has been witnessing to a postman. He has been very open to the Gospel and reading the Bible. Pray for his heart to be softened and to listen even more to this woman’s encouragement.  Madeline received a job interview for some seasonal work.  Please pray for this job opportunity.

Week of 18 Oct 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Emily Skinner: (COS) Mission Training International is a para-church organization in Palmer Lake, Colorado which prepares missionaries for cross-cultural ministry around the world.  The training also includes the children of those missionaries.  That’s where our VGBC church member, Emily Skinner, comes in.  She helps direct the CHIPs (Children’s Intercultural Programs) and works with little people to prepare them to help their mommies and daddies on the mission field.  It would be easy to assume her duties are babysitting but that is way off base.  The curriculum she teaches prepares these children to complement their parents as they minister.  The latest graduates are headed to seventeen different nations around the world.  Pray for these families as they take the Gospel to other cultures in Jesus’ Name!  Pray for Emily and the rest of the MTI staff as they take a breather between classes and get ready for the next class.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, CO) Isaac and Becca head the Christian Challenge (CC) ministry at the University of Northern Colorado.  They have had four students come to faith this semester!  Pray for their spiritual growth.  Pray also for the CC leadership team as they are feeling overwhelmed with academics, ministry and COVID-19.  Pray for an urgency to share the Gospel.  Pray for divine connections with students who are searching and need to hear about Jesus Christ.  Pray for Becca and Isaac as they have applied to be foster care parents.  If all goes well they could be foster parents by the end of the year.

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is a field implantation worker with Evangelism Explosion (EE).  Kevin teaches curriculum which instructs people how to share their faith with others and do it confidently.  COVID-19 has prevented him for several months from meeting with area pastors but the doors are now opening up again.  Please pray for Springs Lighthouse and Pastor Brian Michaels.  Kevin met Pastor Michaels weeks ago and the pastor was excited about the EE curriculum and equipping his church family on sharing their faith.  Pray they can schedule a workshop.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) This has been a unique semester, yet Kent reminds us God is not bound by restrictions placed upon us!  So true!  While it would be easy to focus on the normal things they cannot do due to COVID precautions, they are choosing to focus on the things they can do.  They have had a good number of students attending bible study and events.  They have some fairly young Christians and they also have students who have decided to try Christianity again.  Pray they are able to nurture and encourage these students.  This is a challenging year for their small leadership team.  Pray for them to be encouraged, strengthened and faithful.

Nicy Murphy Colorado Missions Offering Update: (Colorado) Thank the Lord for your selfless gifts given over the last few weeks.  To date we have received $12,328!

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

K and B:  Last week K and B shared the story of a 6 year old girl who was watching her Swirl mother get baptized when the little girl got too close to the river and was swept downstream.  Praise the Lord there are improvements.  She is off the ventilator but they are concerned there could be brain damage – she was without oxygen for approximately 40 minutes.  The Swirl church is fasting and praying for this little girl.  Please pray for this girl and her mother!  K and B have been asked to facilitate a “Trauma Healing Group” to assist fellow Ms who have been displaced by the security breaches.  The Ms are in shock and saddened because they cannot return to their previous ministry locations.  Ask the Lord to empower K and B as they seek to serve their colleagues.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) An update from the Shema Media Group – the radio station in Mardin, Turkey is now operating 24 hours a day, uninterrupted, due to the new backup generator VGBC helped to fund earlier this year!  The email received from Reach Beyond’s partners (Shema) says how grateful they are for VGBC’s and other’s support to see the Gospel go out to this part of the world.  Recently the Shema Media Group received a letter from a couple in Mardin who had seen a video streamed from their station.  The wife had questions.  Shema put this couple in touch with a local church to provide answers to their questions.  Pray this couple and others will hear and receive the clear Gospel message.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty is the cross country coach again this year.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the season will be shorter this year.  Most of the track meets are during October.  Pray for safety for the team and for divine opportunities for Dusty to speak to the youth about Jesus.

Herb and Celeste: One of their teammates arrived this past week!  They are excited she is finally there.  She will be in quarantine for 14 days.  Their local congregation is bilingual – pray H and C will be helpful to this local body of believers.  Pray their neighbors and their landlord and his wife would accept Jesus as their Savior.  This past week they began planning another virtual event.  Pray all their work is done in a way which brings glory and credit to the Lord!  Pray for more team players to arrive to complete their team.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise the Lord the church is again meeting by Zoom!  This is a “praise” because it is not new to Grace Baptist Church – they have been doing this for a while and they are now comfortable with it.  Praise the Lord for the technology!  Ireland is now on level three restrictions. Please pray for Ireland’s leadership.  Pray for the school students and staff as they seek to stay well and healthy. Pray the Lord would help Grace members stay connected with each other.  Many Grace Baptist Church spouses and family members are not believers.  Pray for these family members that the Holy Spirit would soften their hearts and that they would accept Jesus as Savior.

Week of 11 Oct 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is a field implantation worker with Evangelism Explosion (EE).  Kevin teaches curriculum which instructs people how to share their faith with others and do it confidently.  COVID-19 has prevented him for several months from meeting with area pastors but the doors are now opening up again.  Please pray for Springs Lighthouse and Pastor Brian Michaels.  Kevin met Pastor Michaels two weeks ago and the pastor was excited about the EE curriculum and equipping his church family on sharing their faith.  Pray they can schedule a workshop.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) This has been a unique semester, yet Kent reminds us God is not bound by restrictions placed upon us!  So true!  While it would be easy to focus on the normal things they cannot do due to COVID precautions, they are choosing to focus on the things they can do.  They have had a good number of students attending bible study and events.  They have some fairly young Christians and they also have students who have decided to try Christianity again.  Praise the Lord for the opportunity to nurture and encourage these students.  This is a challenging year for their small leadership team.  Pray for them to be encouraged, strengthened and faithful.  Pray their Godly influence will go deep in the lives of the students they are reaching.

Life Network: (COS) Pray for the Executive Leadership Team as they look ahead to next year, take the goals the Lord has given them as a team and begin to work on budgets. Budgeting can be difficult in uncertain times like this and they want to be good stewards of the Lord’s finances. Pray for wisdom, insight and courage as the team works together to form a cohesive plan to present to the Board in November.  As they transition to fall, please pray for the health of staff, volunteers and their families. There are several members of the team wrestling with long-term health concerns of family members. Please pray for healing and for the comfort and strength of the Lord to be with them as they go through difficult life circumstances.  

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Ashley and a colleague at their school had preplanned the worship chapel worship structure for their elementary school aged students for the semester.  Then the school went to online learning,  At first Asheley’s reaction was sadness because she was looking forward to the personal interaction with the students as they discovered truths about Jesus.  But going online with chapel and Christian videos has been a true blessing!  Most of the students and their families are not Christian.  Many of them are from Japan, India and China and have never heard of Jesus.  Now the students and their families are hearing and watching Gospel videos and their message each week.  Pray these families will understand and accept the truth of the Gospel.

Herb and Celeste: Their virtual tour of what our missionaries are doing in East Asia was a huge success!  This project high-lighted what Ms are doing throughout the entire Pacific rim!  H and C are now in charge of bringing to light what God is doing through His ambassadors in these countries.  Pray for H and C and our ambassadors that they would be effective reaching the lost for Jesus. 

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist Church was able to worship this past Sunday in St Oliver’s National School again!  Praise the Lord for keeping the students and faculty safe from COVID-19 during the month of September.  Also, a new couple visited the church as well.  The wife will attend the lady’s coffee time – pray for relationships to be established.  COVID cases have increased in the last month, pray for the government as it considers new lockdown guidelines.  Several families in the church have health concerns.  Several ladies in the community are asking spiritual questions.  Pray they continue to ask those questions and find the One who is Truth.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) In a country of 85 million people, Turkey probably has 8,000 Christians.  In the last couple years the Turkish government has cracked down on Christianity, deporting many Christian workers and missionaries.  However, because of Reach Beyond’s media partners and their radio and media network at least a quarter of the country is able to hear the Gospel message through radio, streaming, internet, social media and a very effective YouTube channel.  This ministry partner, by the providence of God, has received government approval to transmit.  There has been a large increase of people listening and receiving these transmissions.  One Christian team member recently was interviewed by a popular YouTuber who has a following of a million secular followers.  He was able to share his testimony as a Christian in Turkey.  The video shattered false stereotypes about Christianity and has received 50,000 views and over 2,300 comments.  Pray this door of opportunity stays wide open so many Turkish people can find the One, True God!

K and B:  Last week K and B told us about M colleagues who are in Dallas, Texas on home assignment.  The wife was admitted to a hospital where a diagnosis of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome has been confirmed.  The right side of her face is paralyzed and there is hearing loss in her right ear.  Also, another prayer request from Swirl land – this past week a Swirl village church was gathered at river’s edge baptizing a young woman.  A few steps away the young woman’s six year old daughter was swept away into the river current.  Ten minutes later the little girl was found but not breathing.  Her mother, who is a nurse started CPR but there was no response.  The Swirl church has been praying fervently for this little girl.  Many non-Christians have criticized them for practicing Christianity.  They have said this is what you deserve for practicing such a religion.  In the hospital she has been on a ventilator, but there are signs she is breathing on her own!  Now as of Tuesday, 6 Oct she has come out of her coma, drunk some milk and gone to the bathroom.  As of 8 Oct this little girl is off the ventilator!  Pray for this little girl’s full recovery and may the Lord be glorified!

Week of 4 Oct 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) How do you engage college students when a worldwide pandemic is raging around you?  Kent, Elizabeth and Brooks are doing the best they possibly can by being purposeful in every opportunity to engage students.  They have been meeting for Bible study at VGBC.  Pray they can maintain their mandated healthy distancing yet engage where these students are at.  Pray they will be able to help students in their walk with the Lord.

Springs Rescue Mission: (COS) The Springs Rescue Mission (SRM) is committed to provide a welcoming and safe environment that transforms and empowers where they are.  SRM staff desire to share God’s word with guests to bring about spiritual, emotional and life-changing healing to those who are lost or carnal Christians who have lost their way.  Pray for SRM and their volunteers that they will make an impact for the Lord to the homeless in Colorado Springs.  VGBC provides monthly financial support to this organization.

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Mercy’s Gate is a ministry which supports the working poor in our community with food, counseling and other direct services.  Mercy’s Gate has recently expanded their services to include a Medical Assistance Program.  This is a huge increase to better care for people struggling with medical needs.  Pray their volunteers would embrace this new part of their ministry and use them to better serve the Colorado Springs community.  Pray the Lord will provide the needed financial, church and volunteer support needed to sustain this new ministry.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Herb and Celeste: Their fifteen day home-bound quarantine and their 7-day self-imposed quarantine are done and they are in good health – Praise God!  They filed the required paperwork for their Alien Resident Cards.  Pray these cards will be promptly granted!  They attended church last Sunday for the first time since visiting VGBC in July!  Pray for their neighbors who are close to committing to Jesus!  Pray for wisdom and discernment as they explore ways to serve in a local congregation.  Pray for them in their new capacity that the projects they are working on are well received and encourage others to take up their cross and serve.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist Church met with Tralee Baptist Church last Sunday via Zoom!  The pastor at Tralee Baptist preached on preaching the Word of God, making disciples and relying on His promises.  Pray Tralee and Grace Baptist will be able to plant more churches in this area of Ireland.  Pray for a church plant in Skibbereen planted by local believers.  Westside and Grace are helping this church plant with encouragement and financial support.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) The refugee camp on the island of Lesbos, Greece was locked down on 3 Sep, due to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases.  On 8 Sep a fire ripped through the encampment forcing 13,000 people into the streets.  A temporary tent camp has now been built but now there are 243 confirmed cases of COVID in the camp.  Living conditions are bad and now winter is setting in.  New refugees arrive daily from Turkey – relations between Greece and Turkey are tense.  The Greek people are tired of dealing with this situation.  Please pray for the refugee men, women and children who are caught in the middle of this horrific mess.  Pray the governments will hammer out a resolution.  Pray for the aid workers, missionaries and Reach Beyond workers as they minister in Jesus’ Name.  Pray the refugees would be protected and accept Jesus.

K and B:  Recently K and B visited one of their team members.  This team member is trying to reach her own minority group for Christ.  The missionary woman was born in the region.  Her parents immigrated to the US shortly after the Vietnam War so this missionary is a US citizen and living among her own minority group.  K and B stayed in this woman’s home for three days.  Each morning they heard her singing worship songs in her native language at 5:00 AM.  Each morning at 5:00 AM this woman joins 30 other women on the phone and sings worship songs.  Most of the women are farmers and cannot read.  One woman who can read will read a scripture passage then there is teaching.  After they pray the women go to work.  This happens at 5:00 AM every morning, except Sunday.  On Sunday they sing and pray then they attend their church.  Pray for this woman and her impact on the lives of those people around her.  This missionary’s visa will soon expire – in fact she is on an extension right now.  Pray she will be able to get a renewed visa without having to return to the US.

This request just in from K and B…One of their team members is in the US and has just been admitted to a Dallas, Texas hospital with paralysis and weakness on the right side of her face and right arm.  Diagnosis is unknown – COVID test was negative.  Her husband is nt allowed to be with her.  They are asking for prayer.

Week of 27 Sep 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) Mercy’s Gate is a ministry which supports the working poor in our community with food, counseling and other direct services.  Mercy’s Gate has recently expanded their services to include a Medical Assistance Program.  This is a huge increase to better care for people struggling with medical needs.  Pray their volunteers would embrace this new part of their ministry and use them to better serve the Colorado Springs community.  Pray the Lord will provide the needed financial, church and volunteer support needed to sustain this new ministry.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, CO) Pray for the Christian Challenge ministry on the University of Northern Colorado campus.  A gracious donor has committed to matching any one-time gifts to the NAMB for the Herolds to pay down their education loans.  This offer goes away at the end of the month.  Imagine this young couple being able to conduct ministry without the weight of school debt!  How freeing that could be for them.  Pray also for their student leadership as they work to build relationships with students.  Pray for opportunities to meet and engage students.

Brooks Salgado: (COS) Brooks is the newest staff joining Christian Challenge.  He is a UCCS alum and has been participating in the Christian Challenge ministry for the past three years.  Pray for Brooks as he provides leadership to the ministry and as he raises his own support.

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily is the Assistant Director of Children’s Intercultural Programs (CHIPs) at Mission Training International.  A new COMPASS course just started on Sep 7^th.  Pray participants will have open hearts and minds that will be fertile soil for the seeds planted this month.  Pray the Lord will continue to provide health, flexibility and wisdom to navigate these unique times.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Herb and Celeste: H and C have finished their 15 day quarantine in their apartment and now for the next seven days they must avoid large crowds, workplaces and churches.  They will be totally done with quarantine by September 29.  Pray for their strength for the needed work ahead – there are several projects.  Thank the Lord several of their projects have been well received by readers.  Thank the Lord for coworkers and good neighbors who have taken care of their needs for food and taking out the trash.  Praise the Lord for good Internet service which allows them to continue their work.  Pray for their receipt of their alien resident cards. They are producing a two hour virtual event with multiple speakers and locations. Pray all details are completed and that the Lord will be glorified.  Pray for other helpers who are considering joining their team with special skills and experience. Pray the Lord will guide them as they make their decisions to serve.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Pray for Mark as he has spiritual conversations with people on walking club and Costa Coffee outings.  Last Friday during a walk a lady asked Mark questions about baptism, communion (the Mass), studying the Bible and what they believe.  Pray this woman will have a hunger and desire to study God’s word.  Here are other questions – what’s a Baptist?  Do you baptize at a certain age?  What’s the best Bible translation?  Pray for families in their church who are having relationship problems.  Pray these families would find answers by trusting the Lord and seeking His guidance that these relationships would be restored.  Pray for the teachers and students at St. Oliver’s National School.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) Reach Beyond’s ministry partner, Tharsis Betel, in Jerez, Spain works with refugees and the underprivileged.  This is the man who helps refugees to grow food from the hydroponic gardens.  When COVID-19 hit this part of Spain the Lord showed Betel they had to find a way to help the helpless that could not get out of their homes and apartments.  They began to cook for these needy people each day – sixty people needed this aid at first.  Then more food and supplies were received and more volunteers wanted to help!  Soon they were cooking for more than 2,000 people daily.  During this time numerous people trusted in Christ!  Pray for these new Christians and for their discipleship.  Pray for Tharsis Betel as he remains faithful to the Lord’s call on his life.

K and B:  K and B were just leaving to visit another team member when flash flooding inundated their road with a foot of water.  K waded out into the swamp and decided it was not a good time to leave on a long trip.  K and B are interviewing new people for their team.  Pray for Godly wisdom!  The meeting the Swirl pastors and leaders were going to have has been cancelled because of security concerns.  Pray for these church leaders and pray for their protection from government police.  Pray for the safeguarding of the Bible translation project.

Week of 20 Sep 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Nicy Murphy Colorado Missions Offering: The Nicy Murphy Colorado Missions Offering is a special offering earmarked to help Colorado Baptists share the Gospel in unique settings like youth camps, inner cities, ski slopes, revival meetings and disaster relief situations.  The VGBC goal this year is $15,000.  Please consider how you can help Colorado Baptists reach the lost in Colorado.

Brooks Salgado: (COS) Brooks is the newest staff joining Christian Challenge.  He is a UCCS alum and has been participating in the Christian Challenge ministry for the past three years.  Pray for Brooks as he provides leadership to the ministry and as he raises his own support.

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily is the Assistant Director of Children’s Intercultural Programs (CHIPs) at Mission Training International.  A new COMPASS course just started on Sep 7^th.  Pray participants will have open hearts and minds that will be fertile soil for the seeds planted this month.  Pray the Lord will continue to provide health, flexibility and wisdom to navigate these unique times.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) The Christian Challenge ministry is unable to have their normal statewide fall retreat this month.  They will meet only one day, Sep 26^th.  Pray for their planning and that students will participate.  Pray the Lord would give the student leaders in Christian Challenge access to students and the opportunity to share the Gospel.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Herb and Celeste: Their fifteen day quarantine should be up about 20 Sep.  Pray for their health to stay well.  Thank the Lord for friends and neighbors who are caring for them with grocery runs and taking their garbage out for them.  They are able to continue to work for their sending organization remotely but their apartment seems to be getting smaller and smaller.  Pray for the last steps toward work visas to go well.  Pray their neighbors would accept Jesus!

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty is coaching cross country again this year.  This is the only sport taking place this year at their school.  Pray students stay healthy and become a team as Dusty ministers to them spiritually and coaching them physically.  The men Dusty led in Bible study last year have moved to different countries.  He has announced the Bible study several times but there have been no takers.  Dusty understands the pressures on the faculty – teaching remotely is demanding – imagine teaching music remotely.  Pray the men teachers can see the strength gained from God’s word and that several might indicate a desire to study God’s word together.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Mark and Lona live in Killarney Ireland. He pastors Grace Baptist Church.  When it comes to Christianity, they live in a very apathetic society.   Mark and Lona are very intentional about reaching out and doing things for others that would draw them into conversation about Jesus. Recently Lona created 110 cupcakes to be given to the faculty and staff at the school where Grace Baptist meets. Pray these outreach efforts blossom into beautiful relationships where teachers and staff would feel welcome at church!  May these efforts result in people coming to faith in Jesus Christ.  Praise God – Ian’s first week of school went well.  Pray for continued good health for the teachers, students and staff at the school.

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) Reach Beyond’s media partners in the Middle East are seeing a massive response to their broadcasts.  During the COVID-19 lockdown, people have been searching for answers about God, about their own mortality, about hope and the future.  In lockdown, people are consuming more TV, radio, and social media more than ever.  This past February and March Gospel videos from Arabic partners were viewed over 900,000 times compared to over 96,000 times at the same timeframe in 2019.  Reach Beyond partners are also discipling twice as many Muslim heritage believers than reached in 2019.  Pray for these partners which are committed to send the Gospel into the heart of the Muslim world.

K and B:  Swirl believers continue to feel persecution from police.  Churches have been shut down, yet believers continue to share the Gospel openly.  The Bible translation project continues as well!  Church leaders are planning to meet for two days.  They have asked for prayer for their safety, God’s Presence and His vision when they meet.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Amanda is readjusting to the US “culture” and is over her jet lag.  Her goodbyes to her Macedonian co-workers and friends were difficult.  Please pray for the continued ministry and Christian platform for Lydia – A Beating Heart.  Pray the leadership will be able to make inroads into a culture which does not understand the sanctity of life the way God intended it.  Pray for Amanda’s next steps as she seeks the Lord’s will in her life.

Week of 13 Sep 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Nicy Murphy Colorado Missions Offering: The Nicy Murphy Colorado Missions Offering is a special offering earmarked to help Colorado Baptists share the Gospel in unique settings like youth camps, inner cities, ski slopes, revival meetings and disaster relief situations.  The VGBC goal this year is $15,000.  Please prayerfully consider how you may help missions here in Colorado.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Christian Challenge ministry is looking a little different this semester due to pandemic precautions.  As a part of the rules handed out to school clubs on campus, only students will be allowed on campus.  This means Elizabeth and Brooks will not be permitted on campus.  Also the campus will close early each day making it impossible to meet for Bible study on campus.  A workaround for this is that Christian Challenge will meet at VGBC and in homes for Bible study.  They have had several outdoor events to get students involved and they have had 25-30 students attend – mostly new students!  Pray student leaders will use their influence and time to reach out to more and more students.  Pray for students to grow in their walk with the Lord.  Pray the Lord would encourage Kent, Elizabeth, Brooks and their student leaders to stay the course and rely on the Lord for all things.

Brooks Salgado: (COS) Brooks was recently approved by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to come on the Christian Challenge staff with Kent and Elizabeth Slack to serve on the UCCS campus.  He is an alumnus and has been helpful to the Slacks during this unique, turbulent period.  Pray for Brooks as he raises his own support.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (near Seoul, South Korea) Ashley is providing spiritual life leadership to the elementary school.  They are focusing on the basics of the faith in chapel.  They are going through statements of faith and explaining to the students why they believe what they believe.  The chapels are normally once a week but now they are on-line.  Ashley is providing videos the children and parents can watch.  Many families come from unchurched, non-Christian backgrounds.  Pray for this access to these families that Moms, Dads, students and their siblings will be touched by this ministry and seek and find the Lord!

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) Thank you for supporting the Shema Media Group weeks ago with a total donation of $3,450.  This was roughly half of the $7,000 needed to provide the radio station in Mardin, Turkey the backup generator they needed.  Since that timeframe we have been praying for the other half of the $7,000 would also be donated to support this need.  The other half of the $7,000 has been received!  Praise God!  Thank you for giving and praying for this effort!

Herb and Celeste: H and C are back in their ministry area and under a government monitored fourteen day quarantine.  Friends are ministering to them by bringing food to their door and encouraging.  Pray they stay well and that they can provide the last paperwork required securing their work visas.

K and B:  Security breaches and the pandemic have had a tremendous effect on missions work in this part of the world.  Pray the Lord would guide leadership to the strategy and plan of action to continue His work.  Pray the Lord would provide K with guidance as he makes critical decisions.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Last Sunday’s service at Grace Baptist was on Zoom.  “Attendance” was good!  The pandemic has everyone feeling isolated and depressed.  Pray for the church family to encourage each other and others outside the church.  Pray for the students’ and faculty’s health and welfare at St. Oliver’s National School.  Pray for Mark’s relationship with the principal of the school.  Mark plans to ask him about the possibility of meeting with him weekly or monthly for a time of prayer.  Pray for Ian as his school has started.  Pray he and others stay well.

Week of 6 Sep 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Nicy Murphy Colorado Missions Offering: The Nicy Murphy Colorado Missions Offering is a special offering earmarked to help Colorado Baptists share the Gospel in unique settings like youth camps, inner cities, ski slopes, revival meetings and disaster relief situations.  The VGBC goal this year is $15,000.  Please prayerfully consider how you may help missions here in Colorado.

Emily Skinner: (COS) After four months of having no classes or programs due to the pandemic, MTI has graduated a compass class sending 64 participants to 19 different countries!  In spite of health precautions, there was one positive, mild COVID case. God was amazing! He protected everyone who had been exposed to the positive case. God provided technology allowing quarantined participants to engage in lessons.  The Children’s Pre-Field Program (CHIPs) class prepared 29 children for how to live in another culture while helping and supporting their parents.  The four children in Emily’s class are bound for Kenya, Tunisia and Bolivia.  Pray the Lord will guide and lead these precious families as they follow Him in spreading the gospel. This class left Emily and the staff utterly exhausted! Pray the Lord would provide rest and release for all the staff before the next program begins.

Brooks Salgado: (COS) Brooks was recently approved by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to come on the Christian Challenge staff with Kent and Elizabeth Slack to serve on the UCCS campus.  He is an alumnus and already been helpful to the Slacks during this unique, turbulent period.  Pray for Brooks as he starts raising his own support.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (Spain/COS) Due to financial problems Reach Beyond is evaluating where they may cut costs. The ministry in southern Spain is one of the fields that Reach Beyond US cannot financially support.  The compound in Spain includes a large plot of land, a huge office building and three radio studios. They are closing the studios that have supported the local FM station in Spain.  Thankfully the radio, TV, and social media ministries in North Africa and the Middle East are transmitted from within these regions and are not affected by the studio closures.  The land is being offered to other Reach Beyond offices such as the United Kingdom, Swedish or Dutch offices.  Robbyn and staff are praying the Lord will allow these vital ministries to continue and that the work will continue to grow. Pray for Reach Beyond’s Board of Directors and their new president Daniel Enns as they make tough decisions regarding finances. We know God can do all things – we know He desires the lost to come to Him.

Herb and Celeste: H and C received word they should be receiving their passports with new visas this week (31 August 2020).  They plan to book a flight back to their country immediately. Please pray for safe travel. DATELINE: 3 Sep 2020 Texas – this word just in.  H and C have received their passports and are booked to leave the US Saturday and arrive their ministry area Sunday evening.  Then they go directly into 15 day quarantine.  Pray for seamless and safe (healthy) travel.  Pray all paperwork on the other side of the world goes well so they can stay and work for a long, long time!

K and B:  Last Sunday K preached in a church where the members are predominantly the target minority group their team is trying to reach!  K preached on prayer – his colleague translated his English words into the native language of the area.  Pray for the relationship with these people – pray for trust and that this people would rely on the Gospel to guide their lives and learn to share the message with others.  Tragic news – one of K and B’s M colleagues just succumbed to COVID-19.  The husband, wife and three daughters were in the US to deposit one daughter in college.  All five of them were staying with the husband’s parents.  They all fell ill with the virus.  The husband and his mother were admitted to a hospital where they died.  Pray for this hurting family – the Lord knows their names and knows the best way to minister to them.  Pray for friends to reach out and love them.

Oswald and Amanda:  They are home in Colorado Springs!  Little Smoky is doing well!  Because of the security breaches in their ministry area, O and A will not be able to return to their ministry country.  This has been difficult to hear and process.  They are working with their sending company to figure out other assignment possibilities.  In the meantime pray they will process this news well and use this time near parents and loved ones to enjoy those relationships.  Pray for O and A as they close down their apartment in their ministry area.  Pray they will be able to continue strong relationships with their national friends at their former home.  Pray for those friends to continue the work to minister to the lost.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist had 30 people attend their last “in person” church service for a month while St. Oliver’s National School begins classes.  Pray for the health and safety of everyone at St. Oliver’s National School.  If all students and staff remain well, then Grace Baptist will be permitted to use their facilities in October.  Pray for Mark’s relationship with the principal of the school.  Mark plans to ask him about the possibility of meeting with him weekly or monthly for a time of prayer.  Pray for Ian as his school starts next week.  His orientation is Friday, 4 Sep.  Madeleine is looking for another part-time job.

Week of 30 Aug 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) UCCS’s new guidelines to accommodate health practices dealing with the current pandemic impacted Christian Challenge (CC) in a major way, yet Kent says CC was not singled out and in many ways CC was treated well.  Kent asks for prayer that CC will be able to find new ways to make an impact on the campus despite new restrictions.  One of the major changes is that CC has decided to move off campus for this semester for their meetings.  They will meet this semester at VGBC.  Most students who attend CC Bible studies are commuters so hopefully this move will not affect them.  Pray meeting in a local church will not create a barrier for any student who wishes to participate.

Brooks Salgado: (COS) Brooks was recently approved by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to come on the Christian Challenge staff with Kent and Elizabeth Slack and serve on the UCCS campus.  He is an alumnus and already been helpful to the Slacks during this unique, turbulent period.  Pray for Brooks as he starts raising his own support.

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is a Field Implementation Worker with Evangelism Explosion.  His ministry encompasses training churches on how to share their faith.  During these unique times it has been difficult to encourage pastors and get their approval to speak to their church families.  The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused some difficulty in actually sharing Christ with others.  Pray for Godly wisdom for these situations as Kevin continues to seek opportunities to share the Gospel.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) As of 27 August, Amanda is safely home in Colorado!  Thank the Lord for her safe travel.  Pray for her adjustment as she gets used to her new western culture.

K and B:  K is just back from a very productive road trip to visit team members and sink down deep root alliances with regional pastors and workers.  He participated in an all-day training seminar on the twelve elements of a healthy church!  He also visited new team mates – a husband/wife couple who are American citizens and of the minority target group to which they minster!  This visit included treacherous mountain driving through deep mud and K’s sharing the hope of Christ in a village and then later at a worship service where some hearers had never heard the Gospel!  K also attended a board meeting comprised of area pastors.  Important connections and partnerships were made at this meeting.  These pastors were grateful and encouraged to hear of K and B’s ministry among the Unreached People Groups in the hills and villages in their area.  Pray this trip will help K and B better understand the work before them.  Pray the Lord would use the connections and alliances made with their missionary team mates and area pastors to further God’s kingdom in this area of Asia.

Oswald and Amanda:  They are home in Colorado Springs!  Little Smoky is doing well – completely cleared by his doctors!  Because of the security breaches in their ministry area, O and A will not be able to return to their ministry country.  This has been difficult to hear and process.  They are working with their sending company to figure out other assignment possibilities.  In the meantime pray they will process this news well and use this time near parents and loved ones to enjoy those relationships.  Pray for O and A as they close down their apartment in their ministry area.  Pray they will be able to continue strong relationships with their national friends at their former home.  Pray for those friends to continue the work to minister to the lost.

Herb and Celeste: Pray H and C receive approval to return to their ministry area to complete the visa process.  Their neighbors in their ministry area have been attending church while H and C have been in the US.  Pray they will surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Lift up the needs of H and C’s family.  H and C have several project deadlines looming and they feel pressure to get them done with excellence.  Pray for their time management and that they will be able to deliver an excellent product.  Pray for their company leadership as they seek new ways to reach East Asia for Christ.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise Madeleine has returned to work and Ian starts school next week.  Please keep them in prayer for protection and witness.  Grace Baptist Church will have their last “in person” church service on 30 Aug, to give St. Oliver’s National School time to start their school year free of any visitors in the facility.  If the school operates free of any sickness during September, Grace will likely be invited back to use their facility for church services hopefully in October.  Pray for the health and safety of the students and staff at St. Oliver’s National School.  Pray the Lord would soften hearts of those in Ireland who are lost without Christ and need Him as their Savior,

Dusty and Ashley Jackson and Family: (Near Seoul, South Korea) The school is starting a homeroom program.  Each morning Dusty will see the same group of 7^th grade students.  Dusty wants to use this homeroom time to disciple and minister to the students.  Pray for Dusty’s wisdom as to how best to connect with these students.  Dusty is coaching the high school cross country team once again this year.  Pray for him as he trains the team and for their safety as they run.  Pray they will truly be a team, unified and encouraging one another.  Dusty also leads a jazz band after school.  Pray for him as he gets it started and how to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus.  Ashley and Dusty have joined a church closer to where they live and work.  They wanted to be involved in a church which was ministering to their immediate community.  The church used to meet in their school building but, because of the coronavirus, the church has had to meet elsewhere.  Pray for their church family as they determine the best place and way to meet.

Week of 23 Aug 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Brooks Salgado is now on staff with Kent and Elizabeth.  Pray for Brooks as he starts raising his own support.  The leadership retreat went well last week.  Pray for them as they lead outreach to students. Almost everything will look different this year.  Naturally Christian Challenge has had to revamp their working model to abide by university guidelines.  Those guidelines were handed down two weeks ago.  Kent has asked for clarification for how these guidelines effect CC and they are waiting.  The answers to these questions affect how CC will conduct ministry this semester.  Pray for students (Christian and non-Christian) to get involved in spite of the virus.  Pray Christian Challenge will have a significant impact on college students throughout the city during this unique season of ministry.

Life Network: (COS) LifeNetwork will feature President Rich Bennet and pro-life advocate Abby Johnson at their annual gala event Oct 9^th, 7 PM.  Pray for the support they seek from donors to keep their clinic doors open and ministering to women thinking about aborting an unplanned pregnancy.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, CO) Isaac and Becca are settled in their new home in Greeley, Colorado as the new Directors of Christian Challenge, University of Northern Colorado!  So far guidelines from the university restrict the number of students who can attend events and meetings.  For now the maximum size of an event can be fifty people.  Isaac and Becca hope to begin focusing on smaller Community Groups of ten students to introduce students to the ministry.  As interest increases they hope to increase the number of weekly Community Groups.  Pray for unity and Godly understanding for their leadership team.  The matching gift offer from a generous donor still exists to pay off their student loans.  The donor will match anything up to $15,000!  Please pray for how you might help in relieving this precious couple of this debilitating debt, allowing them to concentrate on ministering to students!  Contact Doug Wamble at dwamble@q.com for specifics.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

K and B:  K is just back from a very productive road trip to visit team members and sink down deep root alliances with regional pastors and workers.  He participated in an all-day training seminar on the twelve elements of a healthy church!  He also visited new team mates – a husband/wife couple who are American citizens and of the minority target group they minster to!  This visit included treacherous mountain driving through deep mud and K’s sharing the hope of Christ in a village and then later at a worship service where some hearers had never heard the Gospel!  K also attended a board meeting comprised of area pastors.  Important connections and partnerships were made at this meeting.  These pastors were grateful and encouraged to hear of K and B’s ministry among the Unreached People Groups in the hills and villages in their area.  Pray this trip will help K and B better understand the work before them.  Pray the Lord would use the connections and alliances made with their missionary team mates and area pastors to further God’s kingdom in this area of Asia.

Herb and Celeste: Huge praise – last Friday H and C were told their visa requests had been approved and will be mailed to them in Texas.  When this paperwork arrives in the US, they will immediately fly back to their ministry city where they will complete the requirement to receive their residency cards!  Pray for patience, protection and perfect timing.  Pray for H’s parents as they are both recovering from surgeries.  Also thank the Lord for the short time they have been able to reconnect with both sets of parents and sisters while waiting for visas.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson and Family: (Near Seoul, South Korea) The school is starting a homeroom program.  Each morning Dusty will see the same group of 7^th grade students.  Dusty wants to use this homeroom time to disciple and minister to the students.  Pray for Dusty’s wisdom as to how best to connect with these students.  Dusty is coaching the high school cross country team once again this year.  Pray for him as he trains the team and for their safety as they run.  Pray they will truly be a team, unified and encouraging one another.  Dusty also leads a jazz band after school.  Pray for him as he gets it started and how to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus.  Ashley and Dusty have joined a church closer to where they live and work.  They wanted to be involved in a church which was ministering to their immediate community.  The church used to meet in their school building but, because of the coronavirus, the church has had to meet elsewhere.  Pray for their church family as they determine the best place and way to meet,

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise the Lord for the young children who attend church and who are engaged in the Sunday school portion of Sunday services.  St. Oliver’s National School has asked Grace Baptist to not meet in their facility during the month of September as a health precaution as the school begins the school year.  If the school has no health issues during this time, then Grace can begin meeting in their building in October.  If an alternate location does not materialize the church will meet virtually again for September.  Pray for a location Grace can call their own.  Madeleine returns to work at the cinema this weekend.  Pray for her health and safety.  Pray for the health and safety of the students and staff at St. Oliver’s National School.

Amanda Peck (North Macedonia) This past Sunday was Amanda’s last Sunday at her church.  The church prayed over her at the end of the service.  She flies out of North Macedonia 26 Aug and arrives in Denver that evening after nearly 24 hours of travel.  Please pray for the details of closing out accounts and the disposition of her car and apartment to be seamless.  Pray for safe travel as she navigates airplanes and airports.

Doug & Gina Wamble

1308 Oakmont Dr.

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

( 719-282-0625

Week of 23 Aug 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Brooks Salgado is now on staff with Kent and Elizabeth.  Pray for Brooks as he starts raising his own support.  The leadership retreat went well last week.  Pray for them as they lead outreach to students. Almost everything will look different this year.  Naturally Christian Challenge has had to revamp their working model to abide by university guidelines.  Those guidelines were handed down two weeks ago.  Kent has asked for clarification for how these guidelines effect CC and they are waiting.  The answers to these questions affect how CC will conduct ministry this semester.  Pray for students (Christian and non-Christian) to get involved in spite of the virus.  Pray Christian Challenge will have a significant impact on college students throughout the city during this unique season of ministry.

Life Network: (COS) LifeNetwork will feature President Rich Bennet and pro-life advocate Abby Johnson at their annual gala event Oct 9^th, 7 PM.  Pray for the support they seek from donors to keep their clinic doors open and ministering to women thinking about aborting an unplanned pregnancy.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, CO) Isaac and Becca are settled in their new home in Greeley, Colorado as the new Directors of Christian Challenge, University of Northern Colorado!  So far guidelines from the university restrict the number of students who can attend events and meetings.  For now the maximum size of an event can be fifty people.  Isaac and Becca hope to begin focusing on smaller Community Groups of ten students to introduce students to the ministry.  As interest increases they hope to increase the number of weekly Community Groups.  Pray for unity and Godly understanding for their leadership team.  The matching gift offer from a generous donor still exists to pay off their student loans.  The donor will match anything up to $15,000!  Please pray for how you might help in relieving this precious couple of this debilitating debt, allowing them to concentrate on ministering to students!  Contact Doug Wamble at dwamble@q.com for specifics.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Herb and Celeste: Huge praise – last Friday H and C were told their visa requests had been approved and will be mailed to them in Texas.  When this paperwork arrives in the US, they will immediately fly back to their ministry city where they will complete the requirement to receive their residency cards!  Pray for patience, protection and perfect timing.  Pray for H’s parents as they are both recovering from surgeries.  Also thank the Lord for the short time they have been able to reconnect with both sets of parents and sisters while waiting for visas.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson and Family: (Near Seoul, South Korea) The school is starting a homeroom program.  Each morning Dusty will see the same group of 7^th grade students.  Dusty wants to use this homeroom time to disciple and minister to the students.  Pray for Dusty’s wisdom as to how best to connect with these students.  Dusty is coaching the high school cross country team once again this year.  Pray for him as he trains the team and for their safety as they run.  Pray they will truly be a team, unified and encouraging one another.  Dusty also leads a jazz band after school.  Pray for him as he gets it started and how to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus.  Ashley and Dusty have joined a church closer to where they live and work.  They wanted to be involved in a church which was ministering to their immediate community.  The church used to meet in their school building but, because of the coronavirus, the church has had to meet elsewhere.  Pray for their church family as they determine the best place and way to meet,

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise the Lord for the young children who attend church and who are engaged in the Sunday school portion of Sunday services.  St. Oliver’s National School has asked Grace Baptist to not meet in their facility during the month of September as a health precaution as the school begins the school year.  If the school has no health issues during this time, then Grace can begin meeting in their building in October.  If an alternate location does not materialize the church will meet virtually again for September.  Pray for a location Grace can call their own.  Madeleine returns to work at the cinema this weekend.  Pray for her health and safety.  Pray for the health and safety of the students and staff at St. Oliver’s National School.

Amanda Peck (North Macedonia) This past Sunday was Amanda’s last Sunday at her church.  The church prayed over her at the end of the service.  She flies out of North Macedonia 26 Aug and arrives in Denver that evening after nearly 24 hours of travel.  Please pray for the details of closing out accounts and the disposition of her car and apartment to be seamless.  Pray for safe travel as she navigates airplanes and airports.

Week of 16 Aug 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Pray for wisdom for the Slacks and their leadership team as they start the new school year.  The UCCS administration has made some decisions concerning club expectations and requirements but some remain to be made.  The COVID-19 pandemic has caused delay in these decisions.  Pray Christian Challenge (CC) would find favor with the administration – that they would be able to meet on campus in their regular location, and that parking slots would be available.  Several young people are considering becoming part of the leadership team but their situations with school, finances, jobs and the COVID pandemic have their leadership up in the air!  Pray the Lord would make things plain to these potential leaders.  Pray for Kent and Elizabeth – their stress is great right now.  Pray the Lord would soothe them, and reassure them of His great love for them!  Pray for Brooks Salgado, newly approved by the North American Mission Board, to be a staff member at CC.  Pray for him as he starts support raising!

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is a field implementation worker with Evangelism Explosion.  Kevin’s main task is teaching pastors and their congregations how to share the Gospel with people who need salvation.  Pray pastors and their churches would be open to meeting, even in small numbers, to learn methods of sharing the Gospel.

Life Network: (COS) Pray for the mothers who attend Thursday night LifeSteps Bible study.  Pray they will grow in their relationship with the Lord.  Pray for the post-abortive men and women in our area and that they will find hope and forgiveness from the Lord and continue their healing journey through the Bridges of Hope Bible study offered through Life Network.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, CO) Isaac and Becca are settled in their new home in Greeley, Colorado as the new Directors of Christian Challenge, University of Northern Colorado!  They have found a church home and are putting deep roots in Greeley!  So far guidelines from the university restrict the number of students who can attend events and meetings.  For now the maximum size of an event can be fifty people.  Isaac and Becca hope to begin focusing on smaller Community Groups of ten students to introduce students to the ministry.  As interest increases they hope to increase the number of weekly Community Groups.  They will hold their Core Team Retreat 14-16 Aug.  This will be a time for team building and vision casting for the upcoming school year.  The matching gift offer from a generous donor still exists to arrest their student loans.  The donor will match anything up to $15,000!  Please pray for how you might help in relieving this precious couple of this debilitating debt, allowing them to concentrate on ministering to students!

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Dusty and Ashley Jackson and Family: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Their school has begun the school year.  They are using health safety protocols to keep people safe.  Pray for teachers and staff to be flexible and patient as they navigate school in a new way.  Ashley is leading spiritual ministry for elementary grades this year.  She will lead chapels, praise teams, be discipling students, and other things as the Lord leads.  Because of social distancing they are splitting chapels into two times weekly.  Pray for these times for the students.  For several years, Dusty has led a men teacher’s Bible study.  They used to meet on school property but the school is limiting their use of the property.  Pray for a new location where they can meet.  He would also like to start a Biblical and worldview club where Christian and non-Christian students can feel safe and discuss and challenge their beliefs.  Praise and thank the Lord for the end of Dusty’s formal training (for now) as he has attained his Master of Divinity degree!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist Church continues to have good attendance during in person Sunday services.  The Wednesday evening Bible study is on Zoom.  Madeleine purchased her first car – pray for the driving lessons.  Pray for the Webbs and their church as they seek ways to connect with their church – some people do not want to meet face to face.  Pray for Lona’s baking ministry to schools in their area.  They are unsure whether they can continue this in the current environment.  Pray for Mark as he maintains connections through the walking club.  Pray for Madeleine as she works at the cinema.

K and B: K is traveling the next several days.  He will be receiving some training and connecting with indigenous pastors.  Pray for these meetings as he develops strong ties with these pastors and other friends.  Pray for unity of the Spirit as they meet and share experiences and best ways to reach people groups.  K will also meet with new team members – may this meeting be a beginning of a strong and unified alliance.  May both K and these team members have a great fellowship!

Herb and Celeste: All visa documents have been submitted to the correct agency and they have been told it could take 10 to 60 days to receive their visas.  Pray for several projects they continue to work on.  Pray for insights on how to best develop and execute the plans for the Lord’s purpose.  Pray for H and C’s neighbors who have been going to church with them.  Pray the Lord will soften their hearts and that they will surrender to Jesus.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) In June one of the Spain team members, Allen Graham, was diagnosed with nodular melanoma which required two surgeries.  Praise God, subsequent tests indicate the cancer has not spread!  Pray for Allen’s health as he recovers from these surgeries and subsequent treatments.  Earlier this year Robbyn asked for prayer for the refugees in the encampment on the island of Lesbos, Greece.  Reach Beyond staff are helping with food distribution and providing programs to the traumatized children and women in this camp.  Each day these refugees go through about 9,000 plastic water bottles, which, when thrown into the nearby creek, causes quite a sanitary and waste problem.  Reach Beyond engineers have piloted a new project they call “Trash to Treasure!”  The project provides creative ways for the refugees to use the recycled plastic as construction materials and items to sell, all while cleaning the nearby creek bed.  Pray this program will work to their advantage and help the refugees.

Amanda Peck (North Macedonia) Amanda’s official last day with Greater Europe Mission is 31 Oct.  She has been busy coordinating her move, saying many goodbyes, and finishing a grant project she has been authoring. She is saddened by the knowledge there are so many people she has grown to know, yet to whom she will be unable to say a personal goodbye.  Please pray for her as she arranges her air travel.  Also pray for how the Lord leads her in the future.

Week of 9 Aug 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Pray for wisdom for the Slacks and their leadership team as they start the new school year.  UCCS announced expectations and requirements for all clubs this past week.  Pray Christian Challenge will be able to meet the school’s expectations while also ministering to students’ spiritual needs.  Pray for the Christian Challenge (CC) leadership retreat 14-16 Aug.  Pray for spiritual unity and that leaders will seek the Lord’s guidance.  Kent is waiting on NAMB approval for Brooks to join the CC staff.  As soon as he is approved, he will begin fundraising.  Pray for Kent and Elizabeth as they raise their precious children and minister to students.

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin is a field implementation worker with Evangelism Explosion.  Kevin’s main task is teaching pastors and their congregations how to share the Gospel with people who need salvation.  Pray pastors and their churches would be open to meeting, even in small numbers, to learn methods of sharing the Gospel.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist Church has had good attendance since they started meeting in person again.  Pray their members/attenders will stay well and safe from sickness.  Madeleine starts working at the cinema soon.  Pray she will be able to stay well.  She is also renewing her driver’s license and buying a car.  Pray for her safety as she goes through the driving process.  Many of Grace Baptist member’s spouses and family members are unsaved.  Pray the Lord would soften their hearts and call them into fellowship with Him.

K and B: Our friends organized and participated in a village food distribution project where their team and another agency bought food for a village of 150 people.  They bought food at a large wholesale food center – 2250 pounds of rice, packages of noodles, crates of cooking oil, canned fish, crackers, and salt.  They transported this massive haul of food to an outlying village where the team distributed the food to each family.  Everyone wore masks.  Because of the pandemic, only one family member came outside to receive the food, placed in their arms.  Even though they were all masked, the joyful and grateful eyes said everything.  There were countless “thank you’s.”  One villager commented, “We are required to give food to the monks, but the Christians share with everyone.”  Before leaving, the team voiced a prayer in English and the native tongue – “Lord reveal yourself to these precious people, give them a hunger for You and receptive hearts to hear about the salvation only You can offer.”

Herb and Celeste: All visa documents have been submitted to the correct agency and they have been told it could take 10 to 60 days to receive their visas.  Pray it will be sooner than later.  They will wait out the visa results in Texas.  Pray for several projects they continue to work on.  Pray for insights on how to best develop and execute the plans for the Lord’s purpose.  Pray for H and C’s neighbors who have been going to church with them.  Pray the Lord will soften their hearts and that they will surrender to Jesus.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Pray for Robbyn’s granddaughter, Emily as she heals from a chest injury which prevents her from lifting heavy objects.  Pray her employer will provide her meaningful work allowing her to help out at work and also heal.  Sam and Donna (not their real names) worked as follow-up ministry partners in a country in the Region Beyond.  Conditions got too dangerous for Christians and they escaped to Ecuador.  Unfortunately language and government rules prohibiting Sam from securing a job in his discipline kept them from adjusting.  The Lord opened doors allowing them to move to Germany.  Please pray for this couple and that work will open up for Sam.  Pray they will be able to secure refugee status and live securely in their new home.  They continue to encourage the five churches they planted in the Region Beyond.

Amanda Peck (North Macedonia) Amanda’s official last day with Greater Europe Mission is 31 Oct.  She has been busy coordinating her move, saying many goodbyes, finishing a grant project she has been authoring and is saddened by the knowledge there are so many people she has grown to know, yet will be unable to say a personal goodbye.  Please pray for her as she arranges her air travel.  Also pray for how the Lord leads her in the future.

Week of 2 Aug 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Pray for wisdom for the Slacks and their leadership team as they start the new school year.  UCCS will announce expectations and requirements for all clubs on 10 Aug – just before the semester begins.  Pray for the Christian Challenge (CC) leadership retreat 14-16 Aug.  Pray for spiritual unity and that leaders will seek the Lord’s guidance.  Kent is waiting on NAMB approval for Brooks to join the CC staff.  As soon as he is approved, he will begin fundraising.  Pray for Kent and Elizabeth as they raise their precious children and minister to students.

Emily Skinner: (COS) Mission Training International (MTI) has now successfully hosted two DAR (debriefing) programs since the coronavirus closed their doors.  And this past week their first Compass program started since March.  There will be many new things as they observe new health guidelines to ensure they do not transmit the virus to others.  Pray for Emily and her co-workers as they divide participants into cohorts, wear masks and learn how to serve snacks.  Much of the Compass curriculum depends on connecting.  Connecting is difficult while wearing masks and social distancing.  Pray for the workers.

Jonathan Ferre:  (COS) Their church family is beginning to meet together while observing distance requirements.  People continue to stay in contact with one another.  Pray for grace and wisdom as they guide their church through uncharted waters.  Pray for the overall church family as they have gone through so much stress.  Pray the church will rely on Jesus’ strength to get them through these tough times.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

K and B: Pray for K and B as they work to unite their team and provide them focus.  Pray for K and B’s unity and for the unity of their team as they put together God’s plan for the many minority groups they want to reach.  Pray for K and B’s health, strength and their ability to rest in the Lord (Isaiah 40:31).  Pray for their kids in the US.

Herb and Celeste: Herb and Celeste have been on the mission field for 10 years!  Pray for them as they wait for their latest visa request to come through.  Pray the visas will be approved quickly so they can get back to their ministry location.  Reach out to them and congratulate them on their recent 40^th wedding anniversary and also their ten year anniversary on the mission field.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty finishes his last seminary class at the end of July and will earn his Master of Divinity degree.  Ashley says it has been such a fruitful time in their lives as Dusty has labored through the classes and assignments.  She says they are both so blessed by this training in God’s word over these four years!  This past week their school staff started having workdays.  During this time the staff will find out the strategy for reducing exposure to the COVID-19 virus.  Pray for the school leadership as they make decisions on keeping everyone as safe as possible.  Praise the Lord their family is well – they have enjoyed their summer while staying close to home.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Pray for Reach Beyond, the board of directors, and the new president, Daniel Enns.  They are considering the best way to proceed during this financially challenging time.  Many churches and private donors support the missionaries who work at non-profit para Christian organizations like Reach Beyond.  However, oftentimes these churches and donors do not see the infrastructure under the missionary which also needs funding.  There is a need to actually finance radio broadcasts and build internet web sites.  There is a need to fund food and medical supplies to minister to refugee camps.  The leadership at Reach Beyond, through their new “Growth and Means” strategy, is seeking new donors to target such specific needs as broadcasts and material costs.  Pray for the development of donors who will catch the vision of broadcasting God’s word across the world.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Pray for Amanda as she says goodbye, closes accounts and makes travel arrangements. 

Pray for her clarity of mind to remember the details needed to make her international move back to the US.  If you support

her financially, please  continue her financial support until she advises you otherwise as she needs to be fully funded to

make this move home.

Week of 26 Jul 2020

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Emily Skinner: (COS) Mission Training International (MTI) has now successfully hosted two DAR (debriefing) programs since the coronavirus closed their doors.  And this past week their first Compass program started since March.  There will be many new things as they observe new health guidelines to ensure they do not transmit the virus to others.  Pray for Emily and her co-workers as they divide participants into cohorts, wear masks and how to serve snacks.  Much of the Compass curriculum depends on connecting.  Connecting is difficult while wearing masks and social distancing.  Pray for the workers.

Jonathan Ferre:  (COS) Pray for Jonathan and his wife Myrna as they minister to their church family and as he works to support his family.  Pray for their raising of their family – Myrna is home schooling their children.  Pray the Lord would encourage them and strengthen them in their labor of love.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Oswald, Amanda and family: Little Smoky came home from the hospital this past week.  The doctor believes his eating and digestive tract are at a good level.  Pray for his full recovery and that he gets back to his normal, healthy self!  Pray for their travel plans as they plan to come to Colorado later in August.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) During the timeframe of January through April, Twelve Arabic women gave their lives to Christ.  Pray for the ministry partners on the ground in their area as they follow-up with these women and disciple them.  Praise God for the positive response in the Middle East to a special social media event addressing depression.  They also discovered a group learning English, but also suffering from isolation.  Both of these groups have formed and are having spiritual conversations.  Pray God would water the seeds planted during these spiritual conversations.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Pray for Amanda as she prepares to leave North Macedonia.  She will be closing out

her apartment, utility accounts and making travel arrangements.  There will be difficult goodbyes to the ladies at Lydia and

her church family.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist Church is meeting in person again! They also continue to Zoom their service for those who feel safer at home.  During the time when the church met on Zoom on Sunday mornings, one attender who previously only met during Bible study on Wednesday evenings started “attending” the Sunday morning Zoom service.  Now that the church is meeting in person again this person has begun attending in person.  Pray for this person as they seek the Lord!

K and B: Pray for company leadership as they consider options to restructure reaching the lost in Asia.  Pray for K and B as they develop strategy how to best use the manpower they have been assigned.  Pray for K and B’s lives of service – that they would seek God’s will in their lives.  Pray they will trust their lives and their use to God’s care and plans.

Herb and Celeste: Herb and Celeste have been in the US one week.  Pray for their rest as they deal with jet lag.  Pray for the visa application process and that the Lord would be present every step of the process.  Pray H and C and their paperwork will find favor with their host government to approve their visa application quickly so they can get back to the Lord’s assignment for them.  Pray H and C’s quarantine for the next week goes safely.

Week of 5 Jul 2020

Thank you for supporting the Shema Media Group with your gifts for the much needed backup generator in Mardin, Turkey.  During the month of June you provided $3,400 for this effort!  They only lack $3,600 for this generator.  We are officially closing our push for funds, but if you wish to continue to provide support contact Robbyn Booker at songbooker@yahoo.com.  Thank you for investing in this area of the world!

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Life Network: (COS) Praise God, Life Network reached their “Walk for Life” goal of $400,000!  Pray God would grant special blessings on those who walked and sponsored walkers ensuring Life Network can continue to bless those in need in Colorado Springs.  Recently a client came to their clinic that had lost her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Finances were tight and she was depressed.  During her ultrasound she met her baby for the first time and chose life!  They presented her a gift card donated for clients in need and she walked out with a smile on her face and hope in her heart!  Pray for this ministry and that women would choose life for their babies and surrender their own lives to Jesus.

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily is in North Carolina visiting her parents.  It has been a restful time with parents to reflect on COVID-19 and MTI and the impact MTI has had on missions around the world.  An insightful part of her dealing with COVID-19 and the many emotions which come with this disease is the building of her “Quarantine Gratitude List!”  She has built a list of attributes for which she is grateful to God as we deal with the COVID pandemic!  The next Compass class will begin in July.  Pray for Emily as she drives back to Colorado.  Pray for the MTI staff and for the future students who will attend.  Pray for their safety and health as students begin to travel.

Kevin Green: (COS) The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on one-on-one evangelism efforts and training!  But God is not dismayed by this virus.  The lost can still hear the Gospel sitting or standing six feet from a faithful Jesus follower.  Pray for area pastors to understand the importance of this moment in the life of their churches.  Pray God would provide pastors who would have a heart for teaching methods of sharing Christ with their church family.  Please prayerfully consider supporting Kevin as he raises financial support.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, Colorado) This Sunday (5 July) is Isaac and Becca’s last Sunday with us before they leave for their official duties as Director of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado!  They need help packing their household goods and unpacking in Greeley.  If you can help them with their move, they are packing their household goods Friday evening, July 10^th and unpacking their goods in Greeley Saturday July 11^th.  Contact them at Isaacherold@gmail.com.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Robbyn’s mother’s ankle is doing much better!  Pray for Robbyn’s granddaughter, Emily.  She is the single mother of the two little boys they care for.  She has struggled to find a job to help her pay the mortgage and care for her boys.  She tore the cartilage in her chest in June making most work including picking up her boys very painful.  Pray for complete healing and that the Lord would provide for her and her family’s needs.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty’s arm has healed!  In fact his doctor cleared him for a 600 km bike ride from Incheon to Busan!  Weeks ago Dusty successfully (and safely) completed that ride with another teacher and two students in six days despite one day of rain.  One of the students is skeptical of God – his speech is clearly antagonistic!  Pray the relationships borne out of this trip will help soften the skeptic’s heart so he will see the need for a Savior!  Dusty is working on his last class – he saved his favorite class for last – Jesus’ parables!  Pray for a wonderful time in God’s Word – soon he will have his Master of Divinity degree!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) It has been good to reconnect with friends at the walking club!  Pray for continued spiritual discussions and that the Lord would lead the conversation.  Pray Mark will help supply the Gospel message through a loving, kind spirit.  As Ireland opens up from health restrictions, pray there will be no spikes in COVID-19 cases.  St Oliver’s National School is not allowing people in their facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Pray for a workaround solution for Grace Baptist Church since they would like to begin meeting but have no location to use.

K and B: K and B’s daughter-in-law has no more COVID-19 symptoms!  Their son remains well!  Continue to pray for K and B’s new team.  Some of the team players are not yet in their country of ministry.  Company personnel who are waiting out the COVID-19 pandemic have been serving near K and B’s city by distributing food in nearby villages and refugee camps.  Pray God would provide donors to share with those who are suffering during these difficult times.

Oswald, Amanda and family: It is very likely they will be in the US through the end of the year!  They have made housing arrangements in Monument, Colorado from August to the end of September and then in Denver from October through January 2021.  Please pray for their time in Colorado as they spend time with family.

Herb and Celeste: Tourist visas, the kind Herb and Celeste have, are no longer being extended.  Their current visas expire in about three weeks.  Unless the government permits long term visas, Herb and Celeste will have to wait in the US until this situation improves.  There are numerous company personnel in this same predicament.  Pray the Lord will help our ambassadors find favor with their governments so they may stay longer in an official capacity.  Pray the remnants of H and C’s previous apartment (cherished belongings in 3-4 suitcases) arrive at their current location before they have to leave country.

Week of 28 Jun 2020

The Shema Media Group broadcasts the Gospel into Turkey and neighboring countries.  One of their stations in Mardin, Turkey broadcasts into Southeastern Turkey and Syria.  The power grid in Southeastern Turkey is unreliable, causing the station in Mardin to drop off the air several times daily.  VGBC is raising support to provide a backup generator to keep this station on the air twenty-four hours a day.  So far we have raised $2,400 of the $7,000 needed to provide this generator.  This Sunday is the last Sunday we will ask your support for this project.  Please visit the VGBC mission web page at https://www.vgbc.org/support-shema/ for details on how you may help.  Please see the two videos about the Shema Media Group.

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Emily Skinner: (COS) Emily is in North Carolina visiting her parents.  It has been a restful time with parents to reflect on COVID-19 and MTI and the impact MTI has had on missions around the world.  An insightful part of her dealing with COVID-19 and the many emotions which come with this disease is the building of her “Quarantine Gratitude List!”  She has built a list of attributes for which she is grateful to God as we deal with the COVID pandemic!  Praise God, on June 22^nd MTI will host a 5-day debriefing (DAR) class!  And the next Compass class will begin in July.  Pray for Emily as she drives back to Colorado.  Pray for the MTI staff and for the future students who will attend.  Pray for their safety and health as students begin to travel.

Kevin Green: (COS) The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on one-on-one evangelism efforts and training!  But God is not dismayed by this virus.  The lost can still hear the Gospel sitting or standing six feet from a faithful Jesus follower.  Pray for area pastors to understand the importance of this moment in the life of their churches.  Pray God would provide pastors who would have a heart for teaching methods of sharing Christ with their church family.  Please prayerfully consider supporting Kevin as he raises financial support.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (Greeley, Colorado) Praise God!  Isaac and Becca’s sprint for an additional $2,100 of monthly support has reached 100 percent!  Thank you Lord!  In addition to that, a generous donor has offered to match any gifts received through Aug 1^st up to $15,000 to pay off their student loan debt!  Imagine how freeing and empowering it would be to relieve this young couple of this student debt!  Please visit the web site at https://missionaries.namb.net/full/isaac-herold to give an additional gift and invest in their future ministry.  If you can help them with their move, they are packing their household goods Friday evening, July 10^th and unpacking their goods in Greeley Saturday July 11^th.  Contact them at Isaacherold@gmail.com.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

K and B: K and B’s daughter-in-law is improving from COVID-19.  Their son has stayed well also and continues to nurse his wife from afar!  K and B are gathering information about their target people groups and praying for them.  Ask the Lord to expand K and B’s understanding and also their love for these people groups!  Pray the Lord would prepare the hearts of these people groups to hear and receive the truth of God’s great love for them and plan for redemption.

Oswald, Amanda and family: It is very likely they will be in the US through the end of the year!  They have made housing arrangements in Monument, Colorado from August to the end of September and then in Denver from October through January 2021.  Please pray for their time in Colorado as they spend time with family.  They will likely be speaking at churches over these months.  Pray for their impact on others who might be called to missions.

Herb and Celeste: This week Herb and Celeste hope to have 3-4 suitcases shipped from their previous home to their current location.  The rest of their belongings at their previous apartment will likely go to friends or friends of friends.  Pray for their company as it appears many colleagues are coming home to wait out the virus impact.

Week of 11 Jun 2020

A Reach Beyond ministry partner in Turkey is the Shema Media group which operates four radio stations in four cities in Turkey.  One of their stations is in Mardin, Turkey.  The power grid in Southeastern Turkey is unreliable, causing the station in Mardin to drop off the air several times daily.  Shema wants to outfit this station with a backup generator allowing the station to broadcast uninterrupted Christian programming to Turkish and Syrian listeners in this area.  We hope to raise $7,000 to help them in this effort.  So far our church has provided $2,200 to make this happen!  Please visit the VGBC missions web page at https://www.vgbc.org/support-shema/ for details on how to you may help.  Also view the two videos about the Shema Media group.  We will end our request for help at the end of June.

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kevin Green: (COS) Please pray for Kevin as he stays in contact with area pastors.  Pray the Lord would go before him as he speaks to pastors about Evangelism Explosion’s curriculums and training classes.  Pray pastors would be open to teaching their congregations about how to share their faith with the lost.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

K and B: K and B’s daughter-in-law has contracted COVID-19 and strep!  So far their son has not shown any symptoms of illness.  Pray for this young couple – their health, safety and healing.  Pray for K and B as they pray for their children from half way across the world.  In the midst of this development pray for K and B’s unity as they lead a new team of ambassadors.  Pray the Lord will unite this team and help them strategize how to reach their people groups.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) There have been no new COVID-19 cases in their county for the past 29 days!  Mark has been enjoying the walking club interactions.  Pray for families in their church who have been experiencing difficulty.  The annual “walk through” of their rental home was this past week.  Mark and Lona identified several areas (leaks) which need to be fixed.  As recorded months ago there is black mold which can be hazardous.  They are praying the property management company will fix the leaks which cause the black mold and possibly install a more powerful extractor fan to remove the mold spores.  Pray these issues can be resolved.

Herb and Celeste: Herb and Celeste are now leading a team of creative people communicating how God is working to expand His Kingdom while sharing the Gospel.  Their focus is furthering communications about Asia by telling God’s stories through testimonials, photos and videos.  Their goal is to get readers and listeners engaged in God’s work in Asia.    Praise – their neighbors have been going to church with them!

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Reach Beyond’s April board meeting revealed the ministry has realized great fruit in the last few years.  However various factors have caused a financial strain which make their present ministry model unsustainable.  As a result they are looking into partnerships with like-minded organizations.  Please pray for their attempts to partner with other organizations to broadcast into countries that need to hear the Gospel. Pray for the new president of Reach Beyond, Daniel Enns, as he steers Reach Beyond during this turbulent time.  Please pray for the Spotlight English club back in Spain.  You will remember a young missionary, wife and family helped Robbyn start the club by providing their ministry center for local residents to learn the English language.  At first there was only a handful of people who attended.  Just before Robbyn left Spain a Muslim woman who had provided Spanish lessons decided to bring her class to join the Spotlight English club.  Now there are 45 men, women and children attending this club.  Pray for the possibility to read English from a Bible!

Week of 8 Jun 2020

Please consider a one-time gift to pay for the backup power generator for the Shema Media Group’s radio station in Mardin, Turkey.  The power grid in Southeastern Turkey is unreliable, causing the station in Mardin to drop off the air several times daily.  The generator will allow reliable, uninterrupted Christian programming to the many listeners of this area.  Please see Robbyn Booker’s prayer request below.  Please visit the VGBC missions web page at https://www.vgbc.org/support-shema/ for details on how to support this need. 

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Please pray for the Slacks and Christian Challenge.  There are many unknowns about the fall semester.  And there are fewer staff and volunteers.  They are trying to figure out what the fall semester will look like.    Will they meet in person or on Zoom?  There are only so many virtual meetings and activities one can handle before they lose interest.  Pray worthy and trusted helpers will step forward to provide help and added wisdom as they plan for the fall.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (COS/Greeley) Pray for Isaac and Rebecca as they transition to the directorship of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Herb and Celeste: Herb and Celeste continue to wait for an important document necessary to complete their visa application.  Pray this document comes soon.  They need to be approved for their residency by July 26.  Their neighbors have agreed to attend church with them again!  Pray their hearts will be softened and the Gospel will pierce both their hearts.  Pray H and C will know the best way to minister to their neighbors.  Pray H and C will be able to learn new software they would like to use in a new project.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Pray for the city of Stip where Amanda lives.  They are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases.  Recently a taxi driver and some factory workers tested positive for the virus.  Factories are a big part of the Stip economy and now five factories are closed and 250 workers and their families are in isolation.  Pray for city leadership’s wisdom as they consider steps to reduce virus spread.  Pray for holy boldness for Amanda and opportunities to clearly speak of the Gospel.

Oswald and Amanda: Amanda’s surgery went well last week and she is recuperating.  Pray for her continued healing.  We look forward to seeing them here in a few weeks when she feels well enough to travel.  Pray for a good fit for Rocky’s new prosthetic arm and that he will “agree” with his new limb!  Pray for their future – visas to return to their ministry area, their time here in Colorado Springs and their rest from a tremendously stressful experience in EA.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Restrictions are slowly lifting.  They are now allowed to travel within their county.  Retail stores are now opening.  Walking clubs are resuming – pray for Mark and his conversations and relationships with old walking friends.  Several family situations within the church are going through difficult times.  Pray for the families to seek the Lord’s guidance for wisdom.  Pray for St. Oliver’s National School as they received new guidelines from the Department of Education.  Grace Baptist hopes to be able to return to the school but will follow the Lord’s lead.

K and B: K and B are interviewing a couple who have over 20 years’ experience ministering to one of the 25 people groups their team is trying to reach.  This couple, like K and B, can no longer re-enter their original country of ministry.  Pray for K and B’s new team – for their unity of heart and spirit.  Pray for the synergy that can happen when like-minded people seek the Lord with one mission at heart!  Pray the Lord will give K and B new and fresh insight into how to minister to this huge area of Asia.  Pray the Lord will minister to K and B and that their hearts will listen to His Holy Spirit.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Mardin, Turkey is not traditionally considered as part of the Arab world; however the city is bustling with Arabs. This city, close to the Tigris River is about 31 miles from the Syrian border and has become a safe place and home to many Iraqi and Syrian refugees in recent years. Though many are unaware, God is present, and his Spirit is moving in Mardin. Please pray for Reach Beyond’s ministry partner, Radio Shema as they transmit the gospel in Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic and Syriac.  Especially during this time of uncertainty with COVID, many businesses are failing, tourism is almost non-existent and the livelihood of many who have already been through so much is once again uncertain. People are seeking answers and Radio Shema is transmitting hope, love and forgiveness 24 hours a day. Please pray that people will hear and respond to the gospel; also, pray for the Shema staff as they work tirelessly to reach out to so many that are seeking answers to their problems and who need to know Christ.  

Week of 1 Jun 2020

The VGBC Missions Committee would like to make you aware of the Shema Media Group who transmits Christian programming into Turkey and Syria.  The Shema Media Group consists of four radio stations.  One radio station in the town of Mardin, Turkey loses power several times a day.  Shema is raising $7,000 to provide a backup power generator for this station.  The generator will allow this station to provide uninterrupted Christian programming 24 hours a day.  Please visit the VGBC missions web page at https://www.vgbc.org/support-shema/ for details on how to support this efforts. 

HOME MISSIONARIES                                                                             

Kent and  Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Please bring Kent and Elizabeth before the Lord.  They are seeking the Lord’s wisdom about this fall’s semester and they are trying to figure out what this fall will look like lacking many helpers.  To say they are overwhelmed is an understatement!  There are only so many meetings and Bible studies that can hold interest on Zoom.  Will there be classes this fall?  Will there be a Freshmen orientation?  There are so many unknowns.  Encourage them!  Pray worthy and trusted helpers will step forward to provide help and added wisdom as they figure out what the fall should look like.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (COS/Greeley) Isaac and Rebecca are in a “sprint” to increase their financial support as they assume the directorship of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.  To date, they have reached 88.5% of their goal!  Please prayerfully consider your level of support and pray for them as they transition to Greeley.

FOREIGN MISSONARIES

Herb and Celeste: The previously missing visa document has been resent.  Pray it will be received and authenticated so they will have all their paperwork needed to resubmit for long-term resident visas.  They have been given an extension of 26 July.  H and C continue to “meet” and study with friends from their previous location.  Pray these friends will faithfully spend time in God’s word and apply its truths to their lives.  Celeste is co-leading a project which spans several countries – logistics are complicated.  Pray for her clarity, organization and completion.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Pray for the city of Stip where Amanda lives.  They are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases.  Recently a taxi driver and some factory workers tested positive for the virus.  Factories are a big part of the Stip economy and now five factories are closed and 250 workers and their families are in isolation.  Pray for city leadership’s wisdom as they consider steps to reduce virus spread.  Pray for holy boldness for Amanda and opportunities to clearly speak of the Gospel.

Oswald and Amanda: Amanda’s surgery is Friday, 6 June.  It is routine but please pray for safety, no complications and speedy, healthy recovery.  It is a huge praise for them to be able to have this surgery near family.  Rocky’s doctor appointment went well!  They are looking at a new prosthetic arm for Rocky.  Pray for good fit and ease to use this new arm.  The timing of their return overseas is still up in the air and this makes their visit to COS unknown at this time.  Their visit to COS could be in July or as late as Aug.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Pray for a young couple in their church who is enduring many trials.  Pray for a young mother who is experiencing relationship issues.  Pray for a young believer recently baptized who is heading to Poland to attend university. Pray Grace Baptist Church would be a church which does not merely log onto Zoom and listen to services but that they would truly “follow Jesus.”

K and B: For the better part of 15 years, K and B have poured the Gospel into the lives of the Swirl people.  Now this people who previously were unreached are now a “reached” people group.  Even though K and B are now turning their focus to different people groups they continue giving leadership to the Swirl Bible translation project.  Recently Swirl believers reached out to K and B asking for their parent’s address.  Swirl friends had heard about COVID-19’s impact in the US and wanted to send face masks to K and B’s relatives.  Absolutely humbling!  K and B declined saying that was not needed.  But the believers insisted it was important to show love and concern for K and B’s loved ones.  Pray for K and B as they turn their attention to new people groups while their hearts are heavy to leave their Swirl brothers and sisters.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Huge Praise, her mom’s ankle wound has improved and is healing.  Robbyn’s vision has continued to improve!

Home Missionaries                                                                            Week of 27 May 2020

Isaac and Becca Herold: (COS/Greeley) Two weeks ago Isaac and Becca began a sprint toward raising an additional $2,100 to handle their increased needs as they transition to their new job as directors of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado!  At the end of week one of they had reached 35% of their goal.  As of last week they are now at 71% of their goal!  Pray for this couple as they undertake this position of leadership at UNC.

Emily Skinner: (COS) The leadership at Mission Training International has decided to cancel the June Compass Training program.  With so many participants unable to attend the classes it did not seem cost effective to hold the class.  The MTI facility’s team has conducted a “deep cleaning” of the facility.  Emily has had some time to review her curriculum.  Pray for the executive team as they stay abreast of government guidelines and as they make decisions when to start operations again.  Pray for their wisdom and rest.  Emily left this past week to visit her parents in North Carolina.  Pray for her rest, recuperation and support raising.  Pray for her safety as she travels.

Foreign Missionaries

K and B:  K and B have been given enormous responsibilities.  They are to oversee a new team responsible for portions of several countries.  They will minister to 25 people groups.  While K and B are feeling a little overwhelmed there are some wonderful blessings which come along with this change.  They are inheriting a team of proven veterans who know their people groups and have a long track record with some of them.  Several team members are American-born from one of the people groups and are fluent in their language!  K and B also do not have to move.  Pray for K and B as they get to know their team and their target people groups.  Pray they will rest in the Lord and know He has made them more than adequate for the task ahead.

Oswald and Amanda: O, A and family have completed their two week quarantine and are staying with A’s parents.  They are scheduling some medical appointments for both Rocky and Amanda.  Amanda will hopefully have a procedure next week.  After she recovers they will travel to COS for a visit.  Please pray for them as they have medical appointments and reconnect with family.  All their travel plans hinge on travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If there is anyone who has an extra van for a small family to use in the coming weeks, please contact Doug Wamble.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Mark and Lona are inviting their supporters to contact them so they can set a date on Skype or Zoom to simply catch up with each other.  Please reach out to them to schedule your connection with them.  Praise – a few Killarney “do-it-yourself” businesses have opened up!  Lona met with some ladies from the church recently at an outside café!  During a walk earlier this week, Mark connected with his farmer friend.  The farmer asked Mark about his beliefs.  Pray for the ultimate outcome of all these connections.  God is moving behind the scenes in these people’s lives.  Pray they all would develop strong ties to Most High God! 

Herb and Celeste: Last week H and C had lunch with their neighbors.  During that time they had a spiritual conversation.  The next day their neighbors accompanied them to church!  Pray for soft hearts to receive the Gospel!  They just received word there is a document which needs to be resubmitted to the US.  The government has allowed another thirty day extension.  The new deadline to receive resident visas is now 26 July.  Pray the process will proceed smoothly and result in resident visas!  Pray for them to be good Gospel witnesses to others.  Pray for peace and favor with other believers.  Pray H and C will clearly present the Gospel message.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Please continue to pray for Robbyn’s double vision.  Her vision improved last month and we have been praying this improvement would be sustained.  So far there has been no regression in her vision.  Pray her vision continues to improve and does not worsen.

Home Missionaries                                                                            Week of 20 May 2020

Isaac and Becca Herold: (COS/Greeley) Last week Isaac and Becca began a sprint toward raising an additional $2,100 to handle their increased needs as they transition to their new job as directors of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado!  Praise God this past week many of you responded and helped them attain thirty-five percent of their goal!  Thank you!  Please continue to pray for them – their transition details, housing, church, support network in the Greeley area.  Pray the Lord would be glorified as they lead the Christian Challenge ministry on the campus at the University of Northern Colorado!

Life Network: (COS) During this pandemic the Life Network staff has seen many people come into their offices willing to talk about faith!  There are so many fears – financial crises and unexpected pregnancies.  A young, deaf woman and her interpreter came to a Life Network clinic thinking she was pregnant.  Her pregnancy test came up negative.  She was so relieved.  Afterward, with her permission, the Life Network volunteer shared the Gospel with her and she accepted the invitation to follow Jesus!  Praise God!  Pray for this woman and others who are searching for the peace that only Jesus can provide.  On June 6^th, Life Network will host their annual walk for life.  This year because of the pandemic, you are encouraged to walk in your own neighborhoods.  Go to their web site https://www.walkforlife.com/ to register for this event.  Pray for Life Network’s impact as they provide free services to women and share the Gospel!

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) 15 May is the official end of the semester.  During the last two months of the semester Christian Challenge was able to transition their ministry to online Bible studies and activities.  The feedback was good from those who participated!  Now as the Slacks prepare for the future, with their leadership team displaced and no staff to help, Kent is feeling the crunch of how to make summer ministry happen.  Kent’s quote says it all, “This is a season that seems to require more help than we’ve ever had before, yet we’re going into it with less help than we’ve had in 5 years.”  Pray for these issues: 

·         Summer plans for Bible studies with current COVID-19 restrictions without staff/leadership. 

·         Plans for Fall (allowing for whatever regulations could be in place).

·         Ways to connect with and recruit freshmen now that there are no student orientations.

·         A new process from which staff/interns can be added ASAP.

·         What can stay the same and what needs to be restructured.

·         Leadership team selection/recruitment process.

Foreign Missionaries

K and B:  A security breach and COVID-19 has caused the displacement of 200 families in East Asia.  Their organization is in the process of a restructure and redeployment of EA personnel.  The team K and B led has dissolved.  The staff will receive new assignments and supervisors.  Everyone is trusting Sovereign God and grieving the abrupt loss of ministry among the people groups they love.  Pray for deepening faith and for comfort during transition.

Oswald and Amanda: Pray for Oswald, Amanda, Rocky and Smoky as they adjust to the US.  Pray for their rest and for medical appointments for their family.  They will be in COS sometime in the next few weeks.  Pray for their safety as they travel and visit friends and relatives.  It is hard to do these things while socially distancing.  If there is anyone who has an extra van for a small family to use in the coming weeks, please contact Doug Wamble.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty continues to heal well.  He would like to get back on his bike but the doctor says he needs to stay off the bike for six weeks after surgery.  Ashley has been asked to co-lead elementary school life next school year.  She will be leading chapels, Spiritual Emphasis Week and week of prayer.  She is excited to be able to minister to the student body.  Pray for wisdom as she creates and plans these events.  Many school students are from backgrounds where they have never heard of Jesus.  Pray they can design lessons that will show the truths of the Bible.  Pray lessons and chapels will invite students to engage with Creator God!

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist Church has maintained “attendance” numbers even though they are meeting online for Sunday and Wednesday Bible study.  They have even had some visitors.  Mark’s morning coffee with the Costa Coffee crowd has had to be curtailed for a while.  The government has advised their citizens to travel no more than two kilometers unless they are going to the doctor, pharmacy or grocery store.  They have not been able to get out and enjoy their beautiful scenery or visit their church members.  Pray their church can stay connected to each other and to God as they serve their families.  This past week Ian finished his school year and Mark finished his last class for his degree program!

Herb and Celeste: H and C recently had dinner with their neighbors, Gabe and Sydney.  Their conversation turned to the Gospel presentation.  Pray the Lord would use these planted seeds to bring them to ask Jesus into their lives.  H and C are trying to figure out how to retrieve their personal belongings from their previous apartment.  Unfortunately it is looking as if many of their things will have to be given up as a loss.  This is sad.  Pray friends might be able to at least forward some pre-packed suitcases to them.  Pray for H and C’s spirit and morale as this reality hits them.  Pray for new company initiatives rolling out next month.  Pray planning and execution reflect God’s creativity and excellence.  Pray for the young man H met at the McDonalds weeks ago.  Pray he would call out to Jesus.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) The area where their radio station offices are located is Campo de Gibraltar.  This is a very poor area in Southern Spain.  The unemployment rate is normally over 35% but worse now that the pandemic has shut down businesses.  Spain has surpassed Italy in COVID-19 cases and the entire country has been on lock down since 15 Mar.  Many people have not had food to eat.  Reach Beyond has partnered with area churches to get food into the homes of some of the Spaniards who have been most affected.  Please pray for their safety, wellness and may God use these desperate times to bring people to Jesus.  Pray for area pastors and their families.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) You will remember the young woman Amanda referred to as K had been assaulted by a boyfriend and maybe another lover because of her pregnancy.  On May 10^th her father passed away.  Her father was the only stable figure in her life.  And now K feels awful!  K was away visiting relatives and her father was not well and had begged her to please come back home.  K’s mother is in a psychiatric ward.  A Lydia counselor and a Christian lawyer have been counseling her daily.  Due to the unstable home, there is concern Social Service may take K’s child.  Pray for K as she grieves the loss of her father.  Pray for her life as it seems to have crashed down around her.  Pray she will be open to hearing that the God of the universe loves her and His Son died for her.

Home Missionaries                                                                                        Week of 13 May 2020

Isaac and Becca Herold: (COS/Greeley) Isaac and Becca are beginning the transition to their new job as directors of Christian Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado!  They will need an additional $2,100 monthly in this new role!  We can help them by praying for them but also keeping our gifts going to them and also increasing our gifts.  VGBC will be their main support as they transition to UNC.  Please pray for them and also consider raising your existing support for this couple.  If you are not currently financially supporting them, please consider calling the North American Missions Board to designate a monthly gift for them. 

Mercy’s Gate: (COS) VGBC supports this local ministry with a financial gift each month.  But there are so many more ways individuals can help.  You may make a financial contribution, give food and staples to their pantry, and volunteer your services as a counselor.  One of our deacon couples shares Christ with the neighbors who need Mercy’s Gate’s assistance.  Pray for Mercy’s Gate’s Executive Director, Jason Dilger and the volunteer staff.  Pray for their wisdom in answering the needs of many hurting people who need help and need Christ.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) 15 May is the official end of the semester.  During the last two months of the semester Christian Challenge was able to transition their ministry to online Bible studies and activities.  The feedback was good from those who participated!  Now as the Slacks prepare for the future, with their leadership team displaced and no staff to help, Kent is feeling the crunch of how to make summer ministry happen.  Kent’s quote says it all, “This is a season that seems to require more help than we’ve ever had before, yet we’re going into it with less help than we’ve had in 5 years.”  Pray for these issues: 

·         Summer plans for Bible studies with current COVID-19 restrictions without staff/leadership. 

·         Plans for Fall (allowing for whatever regulations could be in place).

·         Ways to connect with and recruit freshmen now that there are no student orientations.

·         A new process from which staff/interns can be added ASAP.

·         What can stay the same and what needs to be restructured.

·         Leadership team selection/recruitment process.

Foreign Missionaries

Oswald and Amanda: Oswald, Amanda, Rocky and Smoky arrived in the US last week and are staying with Amanda’s family in the Southeast.  They will be in COS sometime in the next few weeks after they shed their jet lag.  Pray for the opportunity to make doctor visits and catch up with the medical community with their little boys.  Also pray for their safety as they travel and visit friends and relatives.  It is hard to do these things while socially distancing.  If there is anyone who has an extra van for a small family to use in the coming weeks, please contact Doug Wamble.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty is healing well from his wrist surgery.  He gets his stitches out Friday, 15 May.  He was able to type a paper for a seminary class, but it is painful.  Pray for his continued healing.  Korea has been doing great in controlling COVID-19.  However, last weekend an asymptomatic individual went clubbing to multiple nightclubs and bars and now authorities are concerned about another outbreak.  Pray for the complete eradication of this virus.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise – everyone at Grace Baptist is well!  Mark has two weeks to go in seminary!  Pray for front line workers like the ER nurse who had twins years ago.  She will soon need a new childcare provider.  Pray for her protection especially when she is taking care of patients at the hospital.  The doctor in their church is looking for different office space since her previous office building is being closed.  Pray the recorded Sunday school lessons will be a blessing to those who watch them.  Pray the new government will relax visa requirements allowing more missionary workers into the country.

Herb and Celeste: Sunshine was one of the original divine appointments H and C had at their first duty station.  Over the years, H and C presented the Gospel many times to her and she finally invited Jesus into her life.  Several duty stations since then H and C continue to disciple this woman electronically.  Sunshine continues to grow in Christ.  Pray for her aging parents who need Jesus.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) A Reach Beyond partner radio station in Guayaquil, Ecuador has suffered great loss in the last several days.  The station has a staff of five people.  One of the pastors who had done programming for years died of COVID-19.  Two more on the same program are in the hospital.  Two donors and a doctor who participates regularly on programs died last week.  Another doctor is in the hospital.  Pray the workers of this station would be encouraged and know the Lord is using their station to bring the lost to Christ and encourage the hurting people in their area. 

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) You will remember the young woman Amanda referred to as K had been assaulted by a boyfriend and maybe another lover because of her pregnancy.  On May 10^th her father passed away.  Her father was the only stable figure in her life.  And now K feels awful!  K was away visiting relatives and her father was not well and had begged her to please come back home.  K’s mother is in a psychiatric ward.  A Lydia counselor and a Christian lawyer have been counseling her daily.  Due to the unstable home, there is concern Social Service may take K’s child.  Pray for K as she grieves the loss of her father.  Pray for her life as it seems to have crashed down around her.  Pray she will be open to hearing that the God of the universe loves her and His Son died for her.

Home Missionaries                                                                                        Week of 10 May 2020

Kevin Green: (COS) Kevin has had to put several events on hold until social distancing has become more relaxed.  Pray for the future Share Your Faith workshop Kevin hopes to present at Agape Fellowship in Pueblo, Colorado.  As a part of the Casas Por Cristo trip in March, Kevin was going to provide glasses to the people of Juarez while sharing Christ with them.  The trip has been postponed until July.  Pray the COVID-19 pandemic has been eradicated permitting the team to minister. 

Mercy’s Gate; Southeast Baptist Food Pantry;  and Springs Rescue Mission: (COS) VGBC supports these local organizations as they attempt to feed people who are out of work and or homeless,  They also share Jesus with these people.  Please consider logging onto their web sites and find out how you can help them minister to others.

Emily Skinner: (COS) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, April and May Debriefing and Renewal (DAR) classes have been cancelled.  The May Compass training program has been postponed.  Staff who are working from home have been moving registrants to later class dates.  Emily has taken some time to explore curriculum changes for future classes.  Pray for MTI’s learn/grow process that leadership and staff would humbly keep their eyes on God’s instruction on improving programs.  Pray for Emily and colleagues that they will make wise decisions regarding personal, team and organizational priorities.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering:  Praise God for the funds VGBC provided to help win North America for Christ!  VGBC contributed $16,493.18!  Praise the Lord and thank you church!

Foreign Missionaries

Oswald and Amanda: In the next few weeks, Oswald and Amanda will be temporarily assigned in the US as they await return to their normal ministry area.  While in the US they plan to connect with churches and also take the time to have medical professionals check on Rocky.  Pray for this time in their family’s life as they wait on God’s timing.  Please consider helping this small family with temporary housing as they will likely be in the Colorado Springs area visiting family.  Contact Doug Wamble at dwamble@q.com.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty fell off his bike on 1 May, injuring his left arm and wrist.  An MRI revealed he needed surgery.  The surgery went well and required a short hospital stay.  A friend kept the children at their apartment allowing Ashley to be with Dusty at the hospital.  And people have ministered to them with food and support.  Praise God for the family of God!  Pray for Dusty’s recovery.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise – the zoom services are going well and more are “attending.”  The Irish government plans to relax restrictions over the next 15-18 weeks.  Churches hope to resume normal services by the end of July.  Grace Baptist has a doctor and nurse as regular attenders.  Pray for these front line workers and those in essential positions.

Herb and Celeste: Praise –  H and C believe they have found a church home!  They have been given a thirty day extension to their temporary visas.  They are waiting on papers from the US but COVID-19 has slowed down the process.  Pray they receive these papers in a timely manner before the June deadline.  Thank the Lord for the divine appointment H had with Harold at McDonalds recently.  Pray Harold will trust in Jesus.

K and B: Huge praise – the security breach recently discovered was not as extensive as initially feared.  Once travel restrictions are lifted, roughly half of the ambassadors will be able to return to their areas of ministry!  Unfortunately K and B will never return to their original area again – a sad note for the many years of investment.  Yet God is not done with them!  Pray for their company’s wisdom as leadership considers how to use their rich experience, gifts and hearts for the lost!

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Robbyn continues taking care of her mother while also holding down her ministry in Spain.  Her daughter comes over some afternoons to help with Mom but she is still recovering from last month’s surgery.  Mom has a wound on her ankle and really needs the attention of a wound care clinic.  However, the wound care clinics are located in the major hospitals in the area which are also treating COVID-19 cases.  The doctor has Robbyn changing the bandages every three to four hours.  Pray for mom’s healing and her pain management.  Pray for everyone’s rest!

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Amanda longs to be able to hug again!  In this semi-isolated environment it is easy to feel alone!  Praise God there are several friends she is able to connect with 2-3 times each week which give fellowship and blessed connectedness!  The ladies at Lydia have been working from home, but they are planning to send care packages to some of their clients to encourage them.  They are also launching a new website which they hope will receive a lot of traffic from women searching for answers.  They anticipate the COVID-19 lock-down could result in an uptick in unplanned pregnancies.  Pray women will find Lydia and seek help in a very difficult time.  Pray Lydia will be known as a safe and trusted place for their support.

Home Missionaries                                                                                                    Week of 03 May 2020

Emily Skinner: (COS) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, April and May Debriefing and Renewal (DAR) classes have been cancelled.  The May Compass training program has been postponed.  Staff who are working from home have been moving registrants to later class dates.  Emily has taken some time to explore curriculum changes for future classes.  Pray for MTI’s learn/grow process that leadership and staff would humbly keep their eyes on God’s instruction on improving programs.  Pray for Emily and colleagues that they will make wise decisions regarding personal, team and organizational priorities.

Kevin Green: (COS) Pray for Kevin as he continues to call pastors to schedule future Evangelical Explosion training sessions in their churches.  Pray pastors will be open to teaching EE classes to their church families.

Isaac and Becca Herold: (COS) They have been hired to lead the Christian Challenge ministry at the University of Northern Colorado in Greely, Colorado!  Pray for Isaac and Becca as they finish up the work at UCCS while meeting remotely with students.  Pray for the transition to their new campus, home and church.  We are happy for them, yet sad to see them leave our church family.  Pray for Kent and Elizabeth Slack as they mourn the loss of their colleagues and partners in ministry.

Foreign Missionaries

Oswald and Amanda: Rocky had a great birthday this past Monday!  There were some gifts to tear into.  And later this week he will have a party with some play time with some local friends.  Pray for this precious family as they wait on word from their company when they can return to their normal ministry area.  Pray for their continued language training.

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) Dusty has incorporated devotions into his class times.  Pray the Lord will use these times to reach these students and help them grow spiritually even though physically separated.  Pray they will have access to the Bible and materials that will help them grow and learn. 

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Weeks ago twins Amy and Grace were born.  Grace is still in the hospital. Pray for this precious little life and her parents.  Praise – More people have been able to “attend” the Grace Baptist Zoom service.  Pray for how the children can “tune in” to watch the weekly Sunday school lesson.

Herb and Celeste: Pray for H and C as they use their years of ministry experience to author stories for their company about reaching the lost for Christ in their part of the world.  May these stories inspire others to follow our friends in ministry.  H and C are looking for a church home.  Pray the Lord will lead them to the right church.  Pray their long-term visas are approved before their temporary visas run out. 

K and B: Pray for all our friends in EA as their company reviews the future configuration of ministry in that part of the world.

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reach Beyond has seen an increase of listeners and responses to their programming in the “Region Beyond.”  Listeners are posting reactions and questions prompting more opportunity to share with them.  Some listeners who are not Christian are submitting prayer requests.  Reach Beyond partners are able to chat with these people who wish to have deeper interaction.  Pray these follow-up interactions will lead them to put their faith in Jesus Christ!

\Home Missionaries                                                                                                   Week of 26 April 2020

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering:  The VGBC goal has been $35,000 this year.  The gifts received through 19 Apr are $11,137.  The week of Sunday 26 Apr will be the last week to collect this important offering.  No doubt COVID-19 has had an impact on this offering, yet we know the Lord will make these funds more than adequate to serve His purposes in North American missions.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Pray for Christian Challenge as they plan virtual meetings and game nights to keep students engaged!  Pray students will lead disciplined lives since there is little accountability in not meeting together.  FOCUS was cancelled and this is a disappointment to the students who were planning to go and those who were going to receive their assistance.  Pray for the Slack family – their children are missing spring sports and Sarah especially is missing school and church.  Pray Sarah would be at peace with these changes.

Foreign Missionaries

Dusty and Ashley Jackson: (Near Seoul, South Korea) South Korea has taken steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 but schools and churches are not physically meeting yet.  How does a band teacher conduct class virtually?  Dusty has had to be creative.  What he misses most is the opportunity to counsel and disciple his students.  Secondary students log on for synchronous learning – five hours of teacher lectures each day!  Dusty is hesitant to add more screen time.  He has incorporated devotions into his class times.  Pray the Lord will use these times to reach these students and help them grow spiritually even though physically separated.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Grace Baptist had twenty-eight people in their Zoom service last Sunday!  Praise – the young woman who has been sick for several weeks was able to log into the service.  Last Friday night’s facebook family concert was fun.  Pray for everyone’s safety and good health.  Pray the government will exercise Godly wisdom as they start relaxing distancing restrictions.

Herb and Celeste: Huge praise – their country has not had to impose “stay at home” restrictions!  Pray for H and C’s continued good health.  Pray they will have continued opportunities to minister to people who need to hear about Jesus.  Pray for the right timing for them to return to their previous home to close out their apartment and recover their belongings.  Pray their long-term visas are approved before their temporary visas run out.  Pray their new landlord will have a softened heart to hear and receive the Gospel.  Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with the landlord.  Pray for guidance to their new local church.

K and B: You will remember the Swirl mother, a believer and her husband, a non-believer were so proud of their son who went off to be a soldier in their country.  And you will remember their great sorrow to learn their son had gotten into trouble by sharing his faith in Jesus with some fellow soldiers!  After this the mother began to pray “continually.”  For days and nights she prayed for her son.  Family members scoffed at her prayers – her husband said it was hopeless to pray.  Her son-in-law said her prayers were useless against the nation’s powerful army!  The faithful mother convinced her husband to go with her to the capital city (a long journey) to convince the army to release her son from the insane asylum.  An officer called the mother and said they had decided to release her son back to his original unit to continue his training!  Mother and father were joyfully stunned!  The skeptical son-in-law was shocked the prayers worked and had been answered!  After listening to the mother’s testimony, the son-in-law believed in Jesus!  The mother also shared with other family members.  The son-in-law now only wants to talk about Jesus!  Pray for the Mom, the un-believing Dad and other skeptics that Holy Spirit will melt away skepticism and Jesus can reign in their lives!

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Robbyn’s daughter, Natasha, had emergency surgery last month.  Pray for her continued healing.  Pray for Robbyn as she takes care of her job with Reach Beyond and also the care of her family.  The Shema radio group started in Ankara, Turkey in 1998.  The network has grown to five stations broadcasting Christian programming into Turkey and neighboring Arabic countries.  Turkey’s power grid is not dependable.  The power can go on and off fifty times a day.  One radio station needs a generator to allow them to broadcast without interruption.  The remaining amount needed is $7,000 to outfit this last station with a generator.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Amanda works with Lydia-A Beating Heart, a Christ-centered pregnancy center.  K, a client at Lydia, was assaulted by two men, one of them a boyfriend, the other presumably someone she slept with.  These men kicked and hit her yelling, asking her whose baby she was carrying.  Pray K will seek help for her own protection.  Pray she will find the Lord of the harvest and place her trust in Him.  Pray for Lydia as they minister to K.

Home Missionaries                                                                                                    Week of 13 April 2020

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Thank you, church family, for your selfless gifts during this challenging time.  Your gifts through 15 Apr are $8,867.  If you have not yet given your gift to support North American missions, please prayerfully consider your part this next Sunday.

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Pray for the Christian Challenge (CC) leadership selection process this month.  Selecting these leaders is key to helping CC stay visible and ministering on campus.  Pray God will prepare students to continue serving this ministry well. 

Foreign Missionaries

Oswald and Amanda:  O and A have been assisting in evangelism efforts where they are temporarily living.  As a part of evangelism training, O and A shared their faith with a youth group several weeks ago.  Pray these youth, by hearing these testimonials, will be able to nail down their own faith in the Lord and then be able to share their faith with others.  Please pray people will turn to Jesus during this time of need.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Easter Sunday was wonderful even though virtual.  God’s Spirit was edifying and encouraging.  A friend in their community “attended” the virtual Bible study and remarked they were a little overwhelmed by the depth of the study but said they would continue.  Pray they will continue and find the Lord’s salvation!

Herb and Celeste: Pray for their visa paperwork.  They are still looking for a church home and plan to visit with a pastor this week.  Pray for where the Lord wants them to serve.  Pray for continued spiritual discussions with Eli.  H and C will facilitate workshops this week.  Pray for the Lord’s leading during these sessions.

K and B: A believing Swirl lady lives in the mountains with her non-believing husband.  Her son qualified for the military, making mom and dad very proud of him.  Recently they heard the son had been placed in an insane asylum.  They found their son was not suffering from mental illness but had shared Christ with two soldier buddies.  Sharing Christ in the military is a no-no and will likely adversely affect his career chances.  The non-believing father blames all this on his son’s Christian beliefs and this has placed a rift between husband and wife!  Pray the son will rely on God and be of good courage.  Pray God would strengthen the relationship between wife and husband.  Pray for the soldiers the son shared Christ with!

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) Robbyn’s daughter, Natasha, had emergency surgery last month.  Pray for her continued healing.  Pray for Robbyn as she takes care of her job with Reach Beyond and also the care of her family.  The Shema radio group started in Ankara, Turkey in 1998.  The network has grown to five stations broadcasting Christian programming into Turkey and neighboring Arabic countries.  Unfortunately, Turkey’s power grid is not dependable.  The power can go on and off fifty times a day.  Each radio station needs a generator to allow them to broadcast without interruption.  Two of the five stations need a backup generator costing $9,000 each.  Please prayerfully consider how we can help keep these radio stations on the air twenty-four hours a day!

Home Missionaries                                                                                                    Week of 6 April 2020

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

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

Kent and Elizabeth Slack: (COS) Due to COVID-19, the Christian Challenge short-term missions trip to EA and the Spring break missions outreach are both cancelled.  These cancellations have been disappointing to those who have been getting ready to go.  Kent and Elizabeth are still hosting Bible studies and LIFE Groups on-line.  The number of “attendees” is down, but the sessions are going well.  Pray those involved will remain faithful.   

Life Network: (COS) COVID-19 has caused some very dire situations.  Some women who are pregnant are struggling to keep food on their tables.  Some of these ladies are even more vulnerable to abortion right now.  In the last three weeks Life Network has given nineteen potentially life-saving ultrasounds to women facing unexpected pregnancies.  Rich Bennett, President and CEO of Life Network, is making an earnest plea for donations to keep their clinics open so young women can hear the truth about Jesus Christ and the child they are carrying!

Foreign Missionaries

Herb and Celeste: Officials in their ministry area have done a good job at keeping COVID-19 under control.  There are only a few cases in their area.  H and C do not know any colleagues or contacts that have contracted the virus.  They are still looking for a church home and plan to visit with a pastor this week.  Pray for where the Lord wants them to serve.  Pray for continued spiritual discussions with Eli.  H and C will facilitate workshops in a week.  Pray for the Lord’s leading during these sessions.

Our Friends in EA:  Pray for Swirl believers who may have to endure questioning and interrogations in the future.  Ask the Lord to fill them with His Holy Spirit and embolden them with courage and Godly wisdom.  May they continue to speak to others about Most High God!

Robbyn Booker: (COS/Spain) In the region beyond it would be impossible to hear the Gospel message if it were not for Christian radio broadcasts into those countries.  Many of those listeners reach out to Reach Beyond via Internet.  Grace is a girl who lives in fear.  Her father has abused her and her mother for years.  Ministry partners counsel Grace and pray her eyes and ears will be open to the love of Christ.  Pray for Robbyn and her family as her daughter had to have emergency surgery.  Robbyn has inherited all of Natasha’s duties – watching Imogene, taking care of Emily’s babies, cleaning house and running errands.

Mark and Lona Webb: (Killarney, Ireland) Praise for the twenty-five people who “attended” the virtual Palm Sunday service!  Pray for a young woman in their church who has had virus symptoms for three weeks, has been tested and still does not know the results.  Pray for the new twins, Amy and Grace.  Grace is still in the hospital.  Pray the Irish people will turn to Jesus and realize He is their Savior.

Amanda Peck: (North Macedonia) Amanda is working from home and helping translate materials, encouraging her colleagues at Lydia and engaging in prayer for the Lydia team and clients.  Amanda has been recording video as she plays Christian music on her piano.  She hopes to encourage her church family during this time since they are unable to meet together.  Doing this has had an unexpected effect on her as playing this music has fed her soul and spirit!  Pray God will use Lydia as a voice of truth and love in womens’ lives.

3 Apr 2020

Home Missionaries

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

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

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

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

Foreign Missionaries

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

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

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

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

Home Missionaries

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

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

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

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

Foreign Missionaries

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

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

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

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

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