Missions Trips

A growing church in the Kabyle region of Algeria was to begin meeting in their new building on Saturday, December 26th . This is their usual meeting day, but they were planning to have a special celebration of the birth of Jesus. When the believers started to arrive at their new premises, they found around 50 Muslim protesters barring the doors. The church leaders contacted the authorities who responded by sending four police cars. The police did not intervene, they just monitored the situation. The protesters continued their threats saying that if the Christians continued to meet in this building, they would slaughter the pastor and his family.

This church has seen incredible growth in the last few years, with many miraculous signs and wonders taking place while they meet. Many Muslim families and young people have found hope in Jesus through this ministry. The church leadership are not afraid or discouraged. They returned to their premises the next day and discovered 20 protesters still gathered there. They were able to share the gospel with them and give out New Testaments.

This incident was reported in one of the national newspapers, El Watan. (Dec 27, 2009) According to the paper, the protesters where local residents who were upset at finding that a church building with many visitors from outside the area would be opening up next to their houses. The article highlighted some of the misconceptions that Muslims have of the church growth in Algeria, stating that they where afraid that their youth would be lured into the church with promises of money or other material incentives. The newspaper tried to play down the involvement of the Muslim fundamentalist groups, but it is highly likely that these groups will capitalize on local unrest and use this as an opportunity to try to hinder the Lord’s work in Algeria.

We know that God can and will use this opposition for His glory but we covet your prayers for the protection of the pastor and his family.They are not afraid, but are in great need of wisdom in how to respond and and in talking to the authorities and to their opponents. Pray that the local authorities would intervene in a positive way and even find Jesus themselves!

More than 15,000 of the poorest children in India, from the severely oppressed Dalit people, known as “untouchables,” have hope for the future. Education would normally be out of reach for them, but they are students in Operation Mobilization’s nearly 100 Dalit schools. The English-based education offers them future job opportunities that would otherwise be impossible. In addition, the students take what they learn in school about God and His love and share it with their families at home.

But many of these children are from families who don’t have enough money to provide lunch for the school day. A good education is available at no cost, but the children are hungry and undernourished. Approximately 50% of India’s children suffer from malnutrition, and most of those are among the Dalits.

OM is addressing this need with a new program which will provide a healthy meal to the children who cannot bring lunch to school. And a generous supporter is matching gifts given for this so that the amount is doubled–and the impact is doubled.

Your gift of $25 will be matched and become $50! And that $50 will feed a child for an entire school year–200 days! Gifts of any amount will be doubled. $50 becomes $100 and feeds two children!
Click here to make your donation

1.  Spreading the light of Christ where the darkness is greatest.

2.  Making disciples of Christ locally and globally.

3.  Advancing the Gospel message.

4.  Moving with the spirit of God to make Jesus known amongst the nations.

5.  Mobilizing to reach the world with the Gospel.

6.  Spirit filled living for a life time of giving.

7.  Intentionally engaging unreached people with the Gospel message.

8.  Sending * Proclaiming * Reaping

9.  Serving the church; reaping a harvest.

10. Proclaiming truth; dispelling darkness.

Create your own, write it down, memorize it and put it into practice!

“The supreme question of foreign missions is how to multiply the number of Christians who will individually and collectively exert this force of intercession for the conversion and transformation of men. Every other consideration and plan is secondary to that of wielding the forces of prayer.” –Andrew Murray

A truth to keep in mind is that the light that shines brightest overseas, shines brightest at home. The Apostle Paul urged people to pray for him. He linked success with the faithful prayers of the church. He told about the hardships he suffered, that he was under great pressure and despaired even of life. But he also stated that God had delivered him as others helped by their prayers. One of the most valuable things anyone can do for a missionary is to pray. There is a powerful connection between prayer and missions. Paul said in II Corinthians 1:10-11, “On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”

There is an inseparable link between prayers here and success overseas. Missionary life can be extremely difficult at times and sometimes dangerous. Without the fervent prayers of those at home, a missionary can feel like giving up. The battles are too strong to handle alone. There are not words to express to you how much your prayers are needed.
“The home church, on her knees, fasting and praying, is the great base of spiritual supplies, the sinews of war, and the pledge of victory in this dire and final conflict. Financial resources are not the real muscles of war in this fight. Machinery in itself carries no power to break down heathen walls, open effectual doors, and win heathen hearts to Christ. Prayer alone can do the deed.” –E. M. Bounds

Realize that the key of all missionary success is prayer.

How to Effectively Pray for Missionaries

“God always gives His servants power equal to the work he asks of them. Think of the greatness and difficulty of this work–casting Satan out of his strongholds–and pray that everyone who takes part in it may receive and do all his work in the power of the Holy Spirit. Think of the difficulties of your missionaries, and pray for them.” –Andrew Murray
Missionaries need daily prayer. From the list below, you can the difficulties they face and why they need continuous prayer. The battle is becoming more intense with each passing day. We cannot afford to back off when the very life of the missionary may depend on prayer. God may wake you up in the night with someone on your heart. Their ministry effectiveness depends largely on your prayers. Remember, the light that shines brightest overseas, shines brightest at home.

• Relationship with God–Pray for a deep hunger after God, for their study of God’s Word and their prayer life. Pray that they would abide in Christ daily and experience daily victory over Satan’s attacks.

• Adjustments and adaptation–Pray for the missionary regarding negative feelings during culture shock such as discouragement, loneliness and depression. Pray for their stability, rest, and relaxation in all areas of life. Pray for patience in adapting.

• Health–Pray against attacks on their body and for good health in the midst of living in areas where disease is everywhere. Heat might drain a missionary of energy. Pray the protection of Jesus’ blood over their body.

• Protection of the mind–Pray for protection over their mind and the breaking of strongholds in their lives. Pray that the missionary refuses to listen to the enemy’s lies in spite of oppression and hard circumstances. Fiery darts to the mind are continuous.

• Relationships–Pray for love and forgiveness in their relationships with other missionaries and with nationals. The main reason missionaries leave the field is broken relationships. Pray for unity, and pray Psalm 133 over the missionary.

• Anointing of God in ministry–Pray for the anointing of God on all that the missionary does. Pray that he walks in the spirit in all situations and depends on God’s wisdom, strength and ability and not his own. Pray for an attitude of humility and brokenness.

• Exercising authority over Satan–Pray that the missionary will exercise God’s authority in the land where he works. Pray for his encouragement and strength and that he would know how to resist the enemy’s accusations and opposition.

• For revival in the land–Pray for God’s Spirit to move in power in the land where he works. Pray for favor on the missionaries and that souls will be released from the bondage of Satan and that many would be saved.

• Pray for their family–Pray for family unity, safety and health. Pray for good husband-and-wife relationships. Pray for the children regarding their education and growth in the Lord. Pray that the family will be a tremendous witness to the unsaved and an excellent model for the nationals.

• Ability to communicate–Pray for their difficulties in language learning. Pray that the love of Christ will shine through their lives and lips clearly and with boldness. Pray for open hearts, opportunity, and fruitfulness. Pray that they know how to relate to the felt needs in the culture.

You can change the world through your prayers and make a big impact in world missions!

For missionaries to hear that someone is praying for them is like a drop of water to their souls in a dry and weary land. To a missionary, a fervent intercessor praying and fasting on their behalf is a treasure worth millions.

“The evangelization of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men–deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life–is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, worldwide prayer. Pray that our mission work may all be done in this spirit: waiting on God, hearing the voice of the Spirit, sending forth men with fasting and prayer. Pray that, in our churches, our mission interest and mission work may be in the power of the Holy Spirit and of prayer. A Spirit-filled, praying church will send out Spirit-filled missionaries, mighty in prayer.” –Andrew Murray

How to Pray for Your Missionaries
written by Debbie Przybylski

It’s always very sobering when one hears about Christians who die as a result of their faith. The recent killings in Yemen were once again a reminder of the verse in Revelation 6:9 “When the lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God and the testimony they had given.”  There are many brave heroes of the faith who have died in such a way. What an example to us all.

“It’s just me.”

Ruby was a typical middle school student in the Midwest. During one of her summers, she attended a Christian conference, returning home with a renewed vision for prayer. She wanted to start a prayer club at her school. At the beginning of the school year, she found the required faculty sponsor, and opened up the campus prayer group. Her vision was to pray for the students and teachers to come to know Jesus.

Each time the prayer group met, Ruby would faithfully show up, but she would be all by herself. No one else attended.  Ruby prayed anyway, trusting and hoping that her prayers made a difference.

Week after week, she would come to school at the designated prayer time and pray alone for the faculty, students and staff to know Jesus.

At one point during the school year, a local church approached Ruby with an idea. They wanted to host a talent show in the school gym after school one day. The show would consist of 5 or 6 people performing their talents. At the end, a local youth pastor would share the Gospel. In order to host the event on campus, though, they had to be sponsored by a school club. Would the prayer club be willing to sponsor them? Ruby readily agreed.

The day arrived for the talent show, and admittedly most people were expecting it to be a small event. The church pastor even said he only expected 20 or so students to show up.  The bell for the end of school rang, and a few students and faculty trickled into the gym for the show. At first, there were about 20 people…then more came…and more and more…until about 200 students and teachers were seated in the gym!

The show went off without a hitch, and at the end, the local youth pastor gave his testimony and shared the Gospel. He invited anyone in the gym who wanted to become a Christ follower to come to the front, at the bottom of the stage. People began to stream to the front of the gym. By the end of the event, 80 people had committed their lives to Christ!

At the end of the assembly, the local church pastor wanted to recognize the club who’d sponsored the event. He asked all of the people from the school prayer club to stand up. Ruby quietly stood up. The pastor, thinking the other members were just being shy, encouraged everyone in the prayer club to stand up. Ruby smiled and said, “No, it’s just me. I’m the only one.”

If you are involved in student ministry in high school or a college campus, I hope that this story demonstrates the power of persistent prayer and inspires you to be a prayer warrior.

There are hundreds of thousands of refugees in Pakistan who have fled fighting in their country. Can you imagine being one of those people? Talk about disrupting your life and your routine. Kids aren’t in school, parents not at their jobs, lost contact with relatives, fear about the future, etc.  Operation Mobilization is an organization that is working in partnership with Operation Mercy who is on the ground helping the refugees.  PLEASE help their teams as they respond with God’s compassion to these suffering people. They need all the same basics that you and I need to sustain ourselves physically every day. You can give a contribution by clicking here.