May 25, 2011
On the morning of May 22, while preparing for the Sunday service, I received a phone call from a Filipino community organizer, Rey, who knew of the Word of Grace from reading our ads and press releases in the local Filipino newspaper, where I also write a monthly gospel column. Rey had visited our church once before. He informed me that he is the director of Operations for a Kenyan man who is running for president of Kenya in 2012, and this man wanted to visit a pastor to ask for prayer.
Dr. George Luchiri Wajackoyah being prayed for by Pastor Richard Mirpuri
I told Rey that I had just a few minutes before the worship service started and that if they came immediately, I would be glad to pray for this Kenyan man. That was the first time I met Dr. George Luchiri Wajackoyah-presidential candidate for Kenya 2012 and a professor of law. When they arrived, I was in my church office. Dr. Wajackoyah came in with Rey, brief introductions were made, and I started to pray a bit hurriedly, because the service was about to start in a few minutes, and there were already some people gathered in the sanctuary.
But before I could pray, I felt a prompting to take Dr. Wajackoyah and Rey to the sanctuary to pray. Someone was playing soft pre-worship service music on the keyboard, and some of the leaders and members of the prayer team were already deep in prayer. I requested their attention for a moment, introduced Dr. Wajackoyah merely as someone running for president of Kenya, because I did not know anything else about him, and invited everyone to join me in praying for him.
At that moment, the presence of the Lord was made manifest upon the place, and there was a sweet, wonderful time of prayer for Dr. Wajackoyah. He asked to say a few words of thanks to the people who were present in the sanctuary, at which time he indicated that he was a believer in Jesus Christ and came looking for a man of God to pray for him, since that evening he was meeting with leaders of the Indian, Pakistani, Korean, Chinese, and Filipino community at a dinner event. After that, he and Rey left, and we started our worship service.
An Invitation
In the afternoon, after our usual lunch fellowship at church, I received another call from Rey, telling me that Dr. Wajackoyah was very touched by his brief visit at the church and was impressed with the posters he saw of peoples that The Alliance is reaching with the gospel. As it turns out, he represents some of those peoples as a human rights lawyer. Dr. Wajackoyah also extended an invitation for me to do the invocation at the evening dinner event, saying I would be followed by a Muslim religious leader in prayer, since Muslim business leaders from the Indian and Pakistani communities would also be present as supporters of Dr. Wajackoyah’s campaign.
I politely begged off, because on Sunday evenings I am so exhausted that I would not have the energy to attend an evening event; plus my bad right eye was hurting as it usually does after the Sunday service. Little did I know that the missions coordinator of our church, a business woman in the health care industry, was one of the Filipino community representatives to attend the event. Later as I was resting at home, she called and said that she was picking up my wife, Lillian, and me to bring us to the dinner event. I told her that I had declined the invitation because I couldn’t drive all the way to the city, but since she was driving, I agreed to go. I sent a text to Rey that I would be available for the invocation after all.
Not a Chance Meeting
At the event, I met several business leaders from the Indian and Pakistani communities, as well as Mr. B. L. Davis, the representative of Congressman Davis. Mr. Davis, an African- American, engaged me in a long conversation in a corner, where he asked me to pray for him. One Indian businessman, Manny Gandhi, wanted to introduce me to his vice president to discuss establishing his business in the Philippines.
Apart from the invocation, I was also asked to say a few words of encouragement to those gathered in support of Dr. Wajackoyah who, when he spoke, quoted Bible verses and referred to events in the life of Jesus. At one point during his speech, he pointed at me, saying that while Kenya needed all of those present to bring infrastructure, healthcare, business and investments into the country, “I invited the man of God here because, above all, Kenya needs God.”
On Monday morning, I received a call from Mr. Davis, the representative of Congressman Davis, who said that he was making arrangements for me to see Secretary of State Jesse White to visit Chicago’s new mayor, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, so I could pray for him. I was surprised. While our conversation at the dinner event was cordial and we exchanged business cards, I did not really think much about it even when he suggested he might attend our church on Sunday, May 29.
God Is in This
On Monday evening, I received yet another phone call from Rey, telling me that Dr. Wajackoyah wanted to speak with me. So I spoke with the doctor, who told me that, even though he has met other pastors and spoken in several large African-American churches in Chicago and around the country, God had impressed upon his heart to invite me to be his official spiritual advisor and prayer coordinator for his campaign. If I accepted the position, he would immediately make the appointment.
On Tuesday morning, I met with him at the business office of our missions coordinator, along with my Lillian. There, Dr. Wajackoyah officially appointment me as spiritual advisor and prayer coordinator for his Kenya 2012 presidential campaign.
God obviously orchestrated this uncanny chain of events. I only met the man briefly on Sunday morning, and on Tuesday morning, I became his spiritual advisor and prayer coordinator. I look forward to this opportunity to proclaim Christ in venues I would not have visited otherwise. God must to be in this, but, then, God works in mysterious ways.
Learn More
Read how other U.S. Alliance churches are impacting their communities for Christ.
What You Can Do
When you give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries, you join our worldwide team in introducing lost people to their Savior.
May 23, 2011
On the heels of serving in tornado-ravaged Arkansas a month ago, Alliance Chaplain Paul Northcut now is in Joplin, Missouri, where at least 89 people perished in an EF4 tornado, Sunday, May 22. “Please keep this situation in your prayers,” says Paul. “I will be one of many chaplains helping there. We will need a lot of grace as we deal with the tragedy and loss of life.”
Bob Collins, executive director for Alliance Chaplain Ministries, was headed for General Council 2011 in his vehicle when he came upon the tail of the storm. “Denise and I were traveling north on I-35 through southern Oklahoma yesterday and came through a terrific thunderstorm with hail and very high winds,” he says. “Radio broadcasts warned of tornados, which may have been the beginning of that storm.”
Although there are no Alliance churches in Joplin, Alliance people in nearby Springfield and St. Louis are poised to help. “I know some of you will want to help [also],” adds Paul. “Please pray for the chaplains, first responders, and the many families who have lost loved ones as well as their homes and all of their possessions. May God bless each of you and use you for His glory.”
What You Can Do
Pray that God will pour out His Spirit on the people of Joplin, preparing their hearts to receive His Son. Pray for Alliance Chaplain Paul Northcut as he ministers to heartbroken people. For more information, contact Paul at ChaplainPaul@suddenlink.net
Learn More
Find out how Alliance institutional and military chaplains are serving God on the front lines of ministry in the United States as well as overseas.
One More Thing
When you give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries, you enable the worldwide work of The Alliance to continue shining the light of Jesus into the lives of lost and hurting people.
Editor’s Note: The following commentary is from a blog by John Stumbo, who has served at the C&MA National Office, as senior pastor of Salem Alliance Church, and currently serves as interim pastor at Alliance Church of Fox Island in Fox Island, Washington.
I have a book in my library titled 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. I never read it. But, I like to have it on my shelf. It reminds me of what idiots Christians can be.
Not that I should need any reminders.
Before I proceed, I should identify myself. In case a new reader stumbles onto this blog today, may I clearly state that I am a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ and (sometimes with embarrassment, sometimes with great joy) include myself in the Christian community. I’m writing as an insider.
By now you’ve no doubt heard the news that we’re down to our last 24 hours . . . at least according to radio host Harold Camping. At age 88, Harold continues a worldwide broadcast and has studied the Bible longer than most of us have been alive.
If history reveals anything to us, it tells us that just because one has studied a subject at length does not automatically make one accurate.
I believe Camping is wrong.
I believe he’s worse than wrong.
I believe Camping is in the same “camp” as the pastor who burned the Quran, the crazed individuals who bomb abortion clinics or kill doctors, and the venom-mouthed haters of homosexuals.
Let me introduce myself a second time. I believe the Quran misleads millions, abortions are the taking of a human life, and the act of homosexuality is a degrading sin. Yet, I’m convinced that Christians are to love Muslims, abortionists, gays and a thousand other people groups that have different perspectives than ours. I’m convinced that this love should be genuine and tangible . . . you know, like the love Jesus expressed.
The reason I lump Camping in with these others is because from burning Qurans to predicting dates, Christians once again come off looking like idiots.
The news media loves these stories. The skeptical community has more reason to scoff. Stand up comedians have an easy night on the job.
And don’t think that people haven’t heard about Camping’s prediction. One of the best ways to know what has the world’s attention is to follow Google Trends. The brains at Google make available to us what are the hottest searches each day. For most of this week, searches like “end of the world may 21″, “judgment day may 21″ and “harold camping may 21″ have been high on the list.
I’m no expert in Harold Camping’s theology, nor do I care to be. But, from what I understand, he came upon his date-setting by using mathematical calculations. These calculations arose from the theory that words in the Bible have numeric value. By putting together three words- atonement, completeness and heaven-multiplying them and then doing so again (squaring them)-Waa Laa-the Judgment Day is tomorrow!
Make sense to you?
Not to me either.
But that’s what billboards across the world-from Minnesota to India-are proclaiming: Judgment Day May 21 The Bible Guarantees It.
At least Harold’s Bible does.
Mine says something simpler, “No one knows about that day or hour . . . therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Jesus in Matthew 24).
None of this would matter much to me if I didn’t fear one thing. I’m concerned that because of people like Harold Camping, many serious minded people will not bother exploring who the real Jesus is.
When they wake up on May 22, I don’t think they’ll head off to find a Christian church. I think they’ll have all the more reason to write off the Christian faith as a myth or conspiracy theory.
The real Jesus-the heaven-sent Messiah come into this world to atone for our sin, conquer death and lead us to the Father-will be missed.
And that makes me sad.
Thanks, Harold.
Next time, save your math skills for a Sudoku puzzle, not the Scriptures.
John Stumbo
May 20, 2011
Learn More
Find about more about Alliance beliefs and theological perspectives, as well as the denominations rich heritage.
May 18, 2011
In a recent update, Harry and Jane Landaw asked the Alliance family to pray that God would provide housing for them in the earthquake-stricken Tohoku region of Japan, where they are serving as church-planting team coordinators. In the following adapted excerpt, read how the Lord has miraculously answered those prayers.
On April 19, Jane and I began to ask God for direction as we prepared for our new ministry assignment in the Tohoku region of Japan. In this area where many people had lost their homes due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami, it seemed impossible that someone from outside the region could even find housing. This was complicated by the fact that some property owners prefer not to rent to foreigners or Christian workers. As we began to ask God, we enlisted your partnership in praying with us.
Initially, as we researched available housing options, we found 31 rental homes in various areas that looked promising. However, as we started making the calls to real estate agents, we discovered that almost all of these properties had already been taken by those who had lost their homes in the tsunami. Of course, that is the way it should be.
We began to pursue possibilities for apartments; but most did not have parking, and the prices were almost one-third higher than single-dwelling houses with parking included in the rental fee. We checked out 27 apartments but did not find one that would allow us to have any type of ministry in our home.
As we made our way to the Tohoku region on May 5, we learned that the government was providing subsidies to displaced people who did not want to live in temporary housing. This meant that the possibilities for finding housing were becoming even slimmer. Trusting God, we submitted applications for rental homes.
“Only One Possibility”
The bottom line was that there was only one possibility. “That’s okay,” we thought. “We need just one place to live. Maybe, this is the one.”
On the day that we looked at the inside of the house, another American pulled up in front, just after we arrived. He was the owner! Who would have thought that could happen here in Japan? We had a nice chat, and then he turned things over to the real estate agent and left. We wondered, “Is he okay with Christian workers living in his house? Would the field’s legal standing pass the strict tests that many owners demand?”
On the last night of our five-day survey trip to the region, we received an e-mail from a real estate agent informing us that the owner of the one available house would consider our application. We contacted the agent to let her know that as soon as we got back to the field office, we would fill out the documents and send them off.
After filling out the formal application and e-mailing it back to the realtor on Tuesday, we had to wait until Thursday to find out if the owner had approved our application. Praise God! On Thursday night, at 10 p.m., there was an e-mail from our real estate agent informing us that the owner said “yes” and that the realtor was preparing the formal contract.
Thank you all for your partnership in prayer with us in this first stage of our move to the Tohoku region. This is a major miracle. After three weeks of searching, God led us to the only house that was available to rent, and then He gave it to us.
In the midst of all this, we also drove along the seacoast from the Sendai Airport area up to Ishinomaki and Onagawa. We had heard from others who had driven this route before March 11 that it is a very scenic drive. The roads were passable, but the debris is indescribable. The odor of death and things rotting was overwhelming. Most of the intersections on the coast road around the Sendai Airport area still do not have power, so Japanese policemen and Self-Defense Force personnel are directing traffic.
We were glad that we took the time to make this drive, but we were in tears as we drove through the area and saw the mass destruction of buildings and homes, which represented the loss of nearly 30,000 lives. Many people are grieving the death of family and friends and all their earthly possessions. Viewing all that devastation was very sad but also important as it is helping us to prepare our hearts for the next stage of engagement in the region.
Once again, thank you for your faithful partnership in this outreach! We are deeply appreciative of your prayers for us. We will keep you updated on the next stage of the process and the subsequent prayer needs.
In Christ,
Harry and Jane Landaw
What You Can Do
In your prayers, thank the Lord for His miraculous provision of housing for the Landaws. Pray that He will use them to advance His Kingdom among those whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.
Donate to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like the Landaws, to reach people who are crying out for a Savior.
By Jason Foster, MD, serving at Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children, Mali, West Africa
The following in adapted excerpt from Dr. Jason’s recent update.
I want to tell you about some amazing children who probably wouldn’t be alive today if they hadn’t received medical care outside of their villages. Thankfully, they were able to come to Koutiala.
Innovation Saving Lives
François and Kadia were very ill upon their arrival at the hospital and were quickly diagnosed with leukemia. Both have now spent months here, but they have responded extremely well to treatment and are in remission! These days, we typically can find them riding around on the toy cars we have here for our small patients.
We almost lost François, though. He went home for Easter weekend, developed a life-threatening infection, and was rushed to the hospital on the back of a motorcycle. I didn’t think he’d make it, but he has done well and is back to smiling and getting his chemo treatments. But he gave us quite a scare.
I’m really in awe of what my colleagues have accomplished here in a place where supplies and medicines can be so limited. Despite the restrictions, they’ve learned how to treat leukemia with the right chemotherapy. You need to understand that general pediatricians in the States don’t treat this disease—children diagnosed with leukemia go to specialists.
Beating Diabetes
Fatoumata came to us about two months ago—extremely weak and barely able walk. When I was evaluating her, she said she wasn’t sleeping well because she woke up so often to go to the bathroom. When we checked her blood sugar, it was too high to register. Diagnosis: diabetes.
Hers is the first case of Type I Diabetes to be diagnosed at Koutiala; the sad fact is that we see few diabetics because so few survive.
This is a huge challenge for all of us, especially for Fatoumata. She comes from a village without electricity and refrigeration to keep medicines; meanwhile, she’s going to require insulin for the rest of her life. This little girl also doesn’t read or write, yet she needs to learn to give herself injections.
We’re working on these challenges. Fatoumata is being taught to read during her time here at the hospital. She’s also learning to draw her own insulin and inject herself. And we’re researching a way to keep her insulin relatively cool (buried in a clay pot in the ground).
So now you have a little taste of our work here at Koutiala. Despite the difficulties we face at times, I’m so happy to be here. I have no doubt that this is where the Lord wants me to be.
What You Can Do
Pray for François, Kadia, and Fatoumata to know the healing, loving presence of their heavenly Father. Pray that Koutiala staff workers would daily experience the Lord’s peace, wisdom, and strength, contending with limited resources while treating numbers of children with life-threatening illnesses.
Read an article about how Alliance Great Commission Ministries is saving Malian orphans’ lives.
Learn More
“We had a team from the States here in February, helping with three days of village medical outreach,” Dr. Jason wrote in his postscript. “It was amazing! [There's] no room in this update to describe it, but I’ve downloaded some photos on my blog if you’re interested.” Note: Clicking on this link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.
May 17, 2011
“We thought we might begin feel a bit claustrophobic on such a little island” says Alliance international worker Gordon Munro, who, along with his wife, Kathie, has served in Spain since 1985. “After all, it only measures 28 miles long by 17 miles wide.” That, however, has not been the case. Since the Munros followed God’s call to La Palma, with a population of 86,000, they have enjoyed the mountain view from their balcony and the sunset off of the western shores of the island. “In the 10 months we have lived here,” Gordon says, “we’ve come to love the island and its people.”
Upon their arrival in August 2010 to La Palma—nicknamed “La Isla Bonita” or beautiful island—southwest of Casablanca, Morocco, in the Atlantic chain of Canary Islands, the Munros wasted no time in initiating contact with the few believers that live there. One of the first events was a Christmas program. “Most of them are fairly new believers and had never been involved in anything like this before,” Gordon says.
Community Involvement
To reach the general population, the Munros offer English classes, which are slowly gaining momentum. “Most of the students are from the community and are responding to ads that were placed in a local newspaper,” Gordon says. “Recently, Kathie began teaching four Chinese children, opening the door for me to talk with the father of two of the children about Jesus.” Kathie also teaches English to two children from Bolivia.
Most of the people who attend church are immigrants from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Cuba, and Dominican Republic. Several people have shown an interest in learning more about Jesus, but one woman in particular “shows great promise,” says Gordon. Angustia prayed to receive Christ after a service a few months ago. One of the few people in the church who was born and raised in La Palma, the divorced single mother of an eight-year-old son, “is such a fun-loving person,” Gordon says. “She keeps us all laughing.
“When asked if she wanted to consider getting baptized this spring, Angustia candidly admitted she wasn’t ready and is too new in her Christian life. However, she faithfully attends church and is growing steadily little by little,” says Gordon, who has won the affections of Angustia’s son, Marco. “He is very mischievous and doesn’t sit still for a minute.
“Marco loves Gordon,” Kathie says, “and often wants to hang around with him at church and sit beside him when he gets a chance.”
Saturday afternoons, the Munros host Kangu Children’s Hour—a time of games and a Bible story. Until recently, only children from the church had been attending. “We want this activity to make an impact in the community as well,” Gordon says. “This past Saturday, the four Chinese kids who are studying English attended Kangu Hour. After listening to the Bible story of how Jesus gave His life for us, one of the little girls commented, ‘I don’t know much about God.’ The way she said it indicated to me that the Holy Spirit was stirring up an interest in her heart.”
Changed Lives
God is touching the lives of various people; some have seen healing miracles in their lives. Others are attending discipleship classes. “In some cases,” Gordon says, “we’ve been disappointed by people who seemingly have been touched by God in incredible ways and yet soon lose interest. But when we do see spiritual growth and commitment to Christ, it brings joy to our hearts!”
One woman, Jaquelin, shared with everyone how in the past, she had been captivated with buying expensive clothing and whatever would make her look beautiful outwardly, but she has learned through four years as a follower of Christ that only Jesus satisfies. “Jaquelin still struggles in many areas, but she presses on,” says Gordon. “She spends her breaks at work reading her Bible, which is worn and marked, but she says she doesn’t want a new one because she will have to start all over with the underlining and marking. She’s planning to be baptized soon.”
Gordon and Kathie also visit a small church periodically on the neighboring island of Tenerife, offering believers encouragement and practical help. During their last visit, a woman, Sodili, approached them and said that she’s “waiting for God to do a ‘miraculous sign’ to prove Himself to her.”
“Pray that she will recognize that the love Christ has for her and the way He cares for her is the miraculous sign she’s been looking for,” requests Gordon.
“God has allowed us to work here, thanks to the commitment of many people who regularly give to the Alliance Great Commission Fund,” says Gordon. “Thank you for partnering with us, so people like Jacquelin and Marco, as well as the four Chinese children and Sodili, can hear about the great love that Jesus has for them.”
What You Can Do
Pray for Gordon and Kathy as they build relationships within the La Palma community and on Tenerife. Also, pray that Angustia will follow the Lord in baptism and that Sodili will recognize God’s hand in her life
One More Thing You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries—partner with international Alliance workers to ensure that Jesus’ physical and spiritual healing continues reaching “to the ends of the earth.” www.cmalliance.org/give
Learn More
Read about our work in Spain.
By Jessica Schaeffer, RN
Editor’s note: Recent research shows that more than 2 million babies and mothers die worldwide each year as a result of complications during childbirth. “Each death [here] is a double tragedy, since nearly all of these deaths could be prevented,” says Jessica Schaeffer, a nurse at Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children in Mali, West Africa, where skilled professionals, like Jessica, provide quality medical care that opens doors into the hearts and lives of people who need Jesus. The following is an adapted excerpt from Jessica’s recent update.
On my first visit to Africa during the 2002 Christmas/New Year holiday, my brother [Andrew Schaeffer, who serves with The Alliance in Burkina Faso] took me to a remote village in Mali. We drove long stretches of nothingness on dusty, unmarked roads and passed many villages. I thought I had reached the ends of the earth.
I recall being overwhelmed, because in one village after another there was a mosque, typically in the center of each village. I rarely saw anything that looked like a church. But when I arrived in the remote village of Famorila, there was a Christian clinic and a tiny church.
“Huge Needs”
During that brief visit to Mali, I felt a strong sense that this was where God wanted me—the spiritual and physical needs were huge. I hoped that God would open a door for me to come back to this hot, dusty country on the edge of the desert.
Fast-forward a decade, and here I am—so very grateful that God has made a way for me to be in Mali for the past four—plus years. Sometimes the hot and dusty side of life here gets a little tiresome! But the beauty of Mali is its people. What a joy it is to work alongside Malians and build friendships with them; what a privilege to be a part of what God is doing!
Since that first visit to Mali, I’ve hoped that I could be involved with village ministry (while living in the “city”). So I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had to minister in several villages with others from the hospital—encouraging new believers, praying for the sick, and providing medical care.
Village Ministry
Pastor Levi moved to Ntosoni about two years ago; his initial evangelistic efforts were met with much opposition; however, there was interest. A teacher of the majority religion in Mali gave his life to Christ, as did several of the teacher’s followers. But they were so heavily persecuted, they had to flee Ntosoni. Today, that former religious instructor is studying to go into Christian ministry. Pastor Levi has seen about 20 more individuals come to Christ since then, and he is now well-accepted in the village.
I’ve traveled with a hospital team to Ntosoni for Sunday services. Typically, about 35 people meet under the shade of a large tree. But when visitors come, a much larger group is present, including the mayor, village chief, and other important people in the village. The mayor often visits Pastor Levi to discuss spiritual matters; the pastor says our hospital team’s visits have helped to give credibility to his work.
A Satisfying Smile
We met Chatou during a visit to the village of Finzankoro one Sunday in February. After the church service, she requested prayer for the leg ulcers she had endured for 20 years (yes, 20 years!). We encouraged her to visit Koutiala so we could treat her. Later that week Pastor Samuel brought her to the hospital, and we began a daily regime of dressing changes and antibiotics.
She had a large infected ulcer that wrapped around the lower calf of one leg and a small ulcer on her other leg. After a few weeks the small ulcer was healing nicely, and the large ulcer was at a point where we were able to do a skin graft.
Chatou’s graft has healed! After 20 years of dealing with large infected wounds, she is well! I haven’t seen a smile more satisfying than hers in a long time!
She returned to Finzankoro several weeks ago. Pastor Samuel was in Koutiala recently (bringing another patient from the village to the hospital), and he gave us the good news that Chatou had accepted Christ over the weekend with the blessing of her family! She is one of countless patients who come to us from a village in which we have opportunities to offer medical care, pray for, and share the love of Jesus with the villagers.
Thanks for your love, prayers, and generosity that allow me to work near the ends of the earth, enabling many Malians to find physical and spiritual healing in Jesus.
What You Can Do
Pray:
• For pastors in outlying villages who are discipling new believers—that God will continue to use these men and their
wives in powerful ways to reach their villages
• That Chatou will grow in her faith and that other family members will turn to Christ
• For Jessica, that she will “delight in the Lord and be daily led by Him in my life and ministry at Koutiala”
One More Thing You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries—partner with international Alliance workers to ensure that Jesus’ physical and spiritual healing continues reaching “to the ends of the earth.”
Learn More
Read about our work in Mali.
May 16, 2011
By Soeuth and Syna Lao, serving in Poipet, Cambodia
During the reign of the Khmer Rouge, Soeuth and Syna Lao fled Cambodia as refugees; they later returned to their homeland as Alliance international workers. The following is an adapted excerpt from their recent blog update.
Well over 700 youth attended a conference on April 6-9, 2011, including about 80 from Poipet and the Malay District. It was an overwhelming experience, especially on the first evening of the event; the youth committees didn’t quite know how to handle such a big group! They were short on food, drinking water, and sleeping facilities.
And to make matters worse, there was a violent and totally unexpected rain storm that poured down hard. The strong winds literally uprooted a number of rented tents, upsetting many tables filled with prepared and much-needed food! Praise God—things got a lot better the next day. Toward the end of the conference, everyone seemed to have had such a good time that the “little” inconveniences from the first day were completely forgotten. Thank you for praying!
What You Can Do
Pray that the youth will continue to walk with Jesus, sharing His love with those around them. Also, pray that God will provide willing leaders for church youth groups.
Donate to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers—like the Laos—to reach people young and old with the good news of Jesus.
May 12, 2011
“Vast areas in North Africa have not a single Christian witness and no established church whatsoever,” an Alliance worker there reports. In response, a portion of the funds received from 2011 Great Commission Sunday (GC Sunday) offerings will go toward sharing the liberating truth of the good news in this troubled region.
“Since the recent political uprisings in North Africa, curious people have had more freedom to inquire about spiritual things,” says an Alliance worker, who is helping to form teams to meet with interested people. “Responses from TV, radio, and Web sites are unprecedented! As a result, we’re having a hard time keeping up with the demand!”
Meanwhile, many faith-based organizations are assisting with relief efforts to address the great needs of those fleeing war-torn countries by the tens of thousands. “The task is huge!” our worker observes. “Many people are necessary to care for the overwhelming needs of these displaced people.”
Noting that less than 1 percent of people in North Africa have had a chance to hear the good news, David Thompson, a medical doctor who has served more than 30 years in West Africa, says:
“The deepest need of people . . . is to know Jesus as their Savior, the One who loves them and died for them . . . We now face the greatest opportunity we have seen this century to bring the liberating truth of the gospel to more than 300 million people. Let’s not lose this chance. Let’s seize the day!”
How You Can Help
Pray for more workers to take the liberating truth to North Africa—and be open to becoming the answer to your prayers!
Give to the 2011 GC Sunday offering; partner with Alliance workers to share the gospel in places like North Africa, where less than 1 percent of the population has access to the good news.
Learn More
Want to know more about GC Sunday? Check out a Q&A that explains this annual Alliance event and our 2011 focus. The article is published in the April 2011 issue of Alliance Life.
The following is adapted from a recent update by Tim and Penny Iverson, who serve among the working class in Taiwan.
Most of our updates center on what God is doing in Taiwan. But this time, we want to focus in a different direction. Recently, Tim and I finished up our tour ministries in U.S. churches, and we want to share some of the ways we have been blessed by the time spent with Alliance people.
Tour Stories
Two sisters, ages seven and four, collected and sold recycling materials to earn money to give to international workers. Theirs was “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).
A low-income family pressed $3 into my hand as they left church. Their sacrifice reminded us of Jesus’ words about the widow’s mite: “‘. . . she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on’” (Mark 12:44).
A man told me that he had already decided to give to the Great Commission Fund to support missions but then determined to give beyond what he could afford-by faith in God’s promise that “my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). This man was unemployed!
People joined me at the altar, committing to pray for us and the people of Taiwan. ”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” (2 Corinthians 1:10-11).
We were prayed for by a mentally challenged individual with pure, childlike faith—a powerful prayer warrior! “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure’” (Luke 10:21).
People came to the altar to commit themselves to serve God wherever He leads, whether through short-term mission trips or a life of service to God. ”Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it’” (Matthew 16:24-25).
New friendships have blessed our lives, and we “thank our God every time we remember you” (Philippians 1:3).
Thank you to all of you who have hosted us in your churches this past year and in previous years. Thank you for upholding us in prayer and supporting us through your giving!
Living the Call Together,
Tim and Penny Iverson
What You Can Do
In your prayers, thank the Lord for the outpouring of love that Tim and Penny received from the Alliance family during their tour ministry. Pray that God will bless His people for their kindness to His servants.
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance international workers, like Tim and Penny, in bringing the goods news of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
Learn More
Read about Alliance work in Taiwan.
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