PrayerConnect (January - April 2019)

PRAYERconnect January 2019 to April 2019

A prayer letter of the Methodist Missions Society ď Ž Not for circulation ď Ž For Mission Partners and Volunteers only

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)

dear prayer partners

INdispensable spiritual Discipline of prayer John Wesley expressed the indispensable spiritual discipline of prayer. He said, “God’s command to ‘pray without ceasing’ is founded on the necessity we have of His grace to preserve the life of God in the soul, which can no more subsist one moment without it, than the body can without air.”

Therefore, on behalf of the staff and co-workers of MMS, I would urge and encourage all of us, who are serving God’s agenda, to persevere in prayer for the mission that He has entrusted to us. We must unite our hearts, pray, and focus entirely on the Lord who has given us the divine mandate to preach the Gospel to the world.

The New Year will usher in new challenges. Wesley instructed us, “Proceed with much prayer, and your way will be made plain.”

Thank you again for your partnership in Christ’s mission. Have a bountiful year ahead!

Shalom!

Rev Derrick Lau Executive Director Methodist Missions Society Cover photo showing a group of children praying in Song-Roi Phee Outreach Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.

All Scripture quoted is based on English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise stated.

2. Pray for more lecturers and students at the CAMBODIA METHODIST BIBLE SCHOOL. Pray for the new graduates as they serve in their churches.

ONDAY

3. Pray for the ODEM MINISTRY outreach efforts. Pray for the factory workers and youth who attend the English classes. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel. Pray also for the Sunday School that has started. Pray that the faith of the Sunday School children will grow as they learn who Jesus is.

CAMBODIA

1. Pray for the leadership of the METHODIST CHURCH IN CAMBODIA, as they work through their first year as a Provisional Annual Conference.

Pray that their work in advancing the gospel will be fruitful.

4. Pray for the alumni who have graduated from COSI, COSY and PCOSIIP, that they will continue to be faithful to God and support one another. Pray that more will step up, and use their talents and spiritual gifts to serve our ministries.

5. Thank God for the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the METHODIST SCHOOL OF CAMBODIA. It was a time of thanksgiving, that was attended by many alumni, friends, church leaders, and the Director of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Pray for the leadership and teachers of the school as they start another school year.

Pray for good Christian witnesses to shine.

6. Thank God for MMS MISSIONARIES Vimala Devi and Doris Chan for their long service to the Lord in Cambodia.

Thank God for His goodness and grace for these past 20 years. Both Vimala and Doris have retired from the field in December 2018. Pray for them as they transition back home and re-enter back to their communities.

2. Pray for Wong YL who will be conducting the discipleship training with the six core leaders from six congregations @CZ. Pray that they will be making other disciples.

3. Pray for the staff @ZJJ to focus on caring for members of various congregations and not doing new work in midst of tension and troubles in many places.

UESDAY

EAST ASIA

1. Pray that the youth and family life projects and work under an NGO @FZ will get going. Thank God for the connection with many like-minded people and NGOs who are keen to network with us.

4. Pray that the national staff and leaders @HS to have a God-given passion to love and care for their sheep, reach out to their seekers and neighbours, and build up with them a sense of belonging.

5. Pray for the staff to have a disciple making plan @SD as the key leader may be appointed to elsewhere.

6. Pray for the staff @CS who will be completing his third and final year of study. Pray that he, his family, and his future ministry will be settled down.

7. Thank God for AC as he is pacing well in ministry. Thank God also for his safety and health in the previous two trips in EA.

3. Pray for the school in its NINTH YEAR. Pray that the Lord may keep it true to its vision and bring in the students to be blessed.

EDNESDAY

2. Pray for His guidance in the setting up of the MANAGEMENT TEAM.

LAOS

1. Thank God for the dedication of the BOARD and the selfless and loving service of the honorary education and finance CONSULTANTS.

4. Thank God for the encouraging INCREASE in student numbers for the NEW YEAR in September 2018.

5. Thank God for the tie-up with an ESTABLISHED SECONDARY SCHOOL in Vientiane for our GRADUATING STUDENTS in 2019.

6. Pray that the TEACHERS may be examples to the children, and may be empowered and affirmed to grow in their careers.

7. Pray for the establishment of a MINISTRY TO PARENTS as well as to the children and school staff.

8. Pray for the new phase for INSPIRE CENTRE English and Chinese. Pray that the Lord will guide and sustain the work.

9. Pray for His grace upon the leaders and people of Laos as they recover from the dam bursting DISASTER in Attapeu Province.

10. Pray for the CHURCH IN LAOS and His plans for SMS and INSPIRE in the growth of the body.

2. Pray for our MINISTRY TEAM. Pray for our national leaders as we work together in the new year and develop plans to fulfil the mission objectives of MCN.

HURSDAY

NEPAL

1. Pray for our CHURCH PLANTING MINISTRY. Pray for God’s guidance and direction as we look for new opportunities to bring the gospel to the unreached people.

3. Pray for the two MOT candidates that were appointed at the last Annual Meeting; may God anoint them as they minister to their congregation.

4. Pray for the new MMS leadership that oversees the ministry with MCN.

5. Thank God that the YOUTH & CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES had conducted two successful events in November 2018. Pray that, whilst the seeds have been planted, the Lord of the Harvest will pour out His blessings to the work of MCN.

6. Thank God for the many MINISTRY TEAMS FROM MCS that had contributed to the work of MCN in 2018. Pray that 2019 will bear greater participation and partnership from our MCS churches.

my gift for his great commission through mms 

my gift for his great commission through mms STEP 1 Either select a Specific Area and a Country, or allow us to direct your gift where it is needed most: [ ] WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST [ ] CHURCH PLANTING

[ ] COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

[ ] Rev Dr Clarence Lim Missionary Development Fund [ ] Country __________________________________________ [Choose from Cambodia, East Asia, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam]

STEP 2 Decide how much you would like to give either on a monthly basis or as a one time gift:  

[ ] Pledge a monthly gift of S$ ________________ commencing ___________________________ [date] until further notice. [ ] Make a one-time gift of S$ ________________.

PDPA: MMS is committed to ensuring the security of all personal data she collects. MMS shall use and disclose such data only for her necessary purposes and if so, shall adhere to the guidelines of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). All personal data shall be kept strictly confidential at all times. If ever MMS has to disclose any personal data to any third party, she shall do so only with the prior consent of the owner of the personal data.

Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms: ______________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ Postal Code: ________________________ Church: ______________________________ Tel: ___________________ [h] ____________________ [o] _____________________ [h/p] Email: ___________________________________________________________________ I am making my gift through [tick one]: [ ] Payment by Credit Card [ ] VISA [ ] MasterCard Name on Card: ________________________________________________ Card No: _____________________________________________________ Signature: _______________________ Expiry Date: _________________ [ ] Payment by Cheque Bank & Cheque No: ____________________________________________

[ ] I wish to receive

Harvest Force and PrayerConnect regularly.

[ ] I wish to receive

Pray for MMS in 60 seconds prayer email regularly.

[ ] My comments, feedback and suggestions:

Date: ________________ If you need more details, please call 6478 4818. For more information on Student Sponsorship Schemes, logon to http://www.mms.org.sg/sss.html



Please cross your cheque and make it payable to “The Methodist Church in Singapore [MMS]” and mail it together with this form to MMS Executive Director, Methodist Missions Society, 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre, Singapore 309936.

Source Code: PRT_PRAYER_C

my gift for his great commission through mms

STEP 3 Fill in your payment instructions:

2. Pray for all our church members to have the desire to be DISCIPLES who will make disciples on their own.

3. Thank God for the new urban ministry at KHON KAEN town that has just started with 5 to 7 members meeting every Sunday for worship, prayer, and fellowship. Pray for open doors to start a nursery and kindergarten. Pray that we will be able to secure a longer lease term for the property for at least 10 years.

RIDAY

4. Pray for the VINEYARD METHODIST SCHOOL Principal, and the 60 teaching and administrative staff members. Pray for the 30 P6 students who are taking their O-Net Exam (primary school leaving examination) in March 2019. Pray for the 3 Christian Ministry Staff to be able to minister to all the teachers and students, and reach out to the parents.

5. Pray for LITTLE CANDLE KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY SCHOOL. Pray for wisdom and guidance as the school management and MMS consider and evaluate the merits of a merger under MMS management and operations.

6. Thank God for the successful changeover of the RANGSIT CREMATORIUM license to a new person appointed by MMS after Rev Prasert’s retirement. Pray for the staff, who is managing the crematorium, to be a comfort to those who are bereaving, and also be an instrument to reach out to the pre-believers with God’s salvation through the services.

THAILAND

1. Pray that God will continue to bless the 28 CHURCHES AND PREACHING POINTS and that they will continue to grow and prosper.

Pray against every principality and power of darkness out to hinder or destroy our ministries. Pray for wisdom and determination as all churches move toward financial self-reliance.

ATURDAY

TIMOR-LESTE

1. Pray for continued blessing from God to provide the funds required for Phase 2 of ST PAUL METHODIST SCHOOL. Pray for the smooth conclusion of the land acquisition for the school. Pray for wisdom for the building team to conclude the tender specifications and publish the tender. Pray for qualified contractors to come forth with quotes that meet the requirements within budget. Pray for discernment to select a suitable contractor. Pray for the safety of all involved once the construction starts and smooth progress according to schedule.

2. Pray for the school’s NEW INTAKE OF STUDENTS in 2019 for Grades 1 and 7. Pray that they can assimilate well into the culture and ethos of the school. Pray for quick adjustment and integration for all as the primary school has moved to join the secondary school in Hera. The school will start using an accredited Christian-based curriculum from 2019 onwards that spans Grades 1 to 12. Pray for training of the teachers, and for the students to benefit and excel from the new curriculum.

3. Thank God for the smooth ADJUSTMENT AND INTEGRATION of four new teachers into the school’s teaching team and a new missionary to Timor-Leste. Pray for Rudy who will cover Joseph and Grace Mannar as they embark on their sabbatical leave from February to June 2019. Pray for a good time of renewal and equipping. Pray for good health and successful training of the new missionary at Asian Cultural Training Institute (ACTI) in Chiang Mai from 17 February to 30 March. Pray for God’s provision of resources to meet all needs and pray for travel mercies for all.

4. Pray for God’s guidance and continued provision for the 19 hostelites who graduated from SUNDERMEIER HOME in December 2018. They have applied for vocational training and university. Pray for success for their applications and pray for open doors to the others for job opportunities. Pray for an outreach programme to disciple and keep in touch with them.

5. Pray that, in spite of the many changes happening at the start of 2019, the MINISTRY AND WORK in St Paul Methodist School, Sundermeier Home, and the Good Soil Project will continue seamlessly under God’s grace and provision.

VIETNAM

1. Pray for the INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP for strong leadership and committed members. Pray for unity in vision and mission. Pray that we will to make strong and biblical disciples in this city and beyond.

2. Thank God for another marvellous year of privilege given to WORSHIP AND SERVE God as His community.

4. Pray for God’s anointing as we embark on a NEW SERMON SERIES from the NT and OT in the new year ahead.

5. Pray for wisdom for the leaders to find NEW SOCIAL CONCERNS WORK for 2019.

NDAY

3. Pray that we will have more COMMITTED LEADERS AND FAITHFUL MEMBERS to lead Bible Study groups and make disciples.

6. Thank God for His favour upon us as we celebrated CHRISTMAS by organising parties for about 100 children at the three orphanages.

7. Pray that these children will EMBRACE THE LOVE of our Father God. May our service to the poor prosper and be fruitful.

Testimony

Mighty to Save ~ by Anna, a member of International Christian Fellowship (ICF-HCMC).

Anna had been praying for her elderly and sickly parents frequently. Recently, their well-being became a heavy burden for her. They lived in different cities and she was concerned about their frequent admission to hospitals or falling sick. With the leading of the Holy Spirit, she began to pray for their salvation.

She shared her burden with Ps Leslie, Aunty Linda, and her cell group members.

Initially, she was not serious about sharing the gospel as it seemed too difficult for her parents to comprehend and they were devout in their own religions. But with God, nothing is impossible!

Sometime end of October 2018, her mother was admitted to hospital and wanted Anna home badly. This was a difficult situation because Anna herself was not very well. So Ps Leslie prayed for her and her parents on a regular basis and claimed her parents’ salvation.

She confided with Ps Leslie that she wanted someone to visit and minister to her mother as she felt it was also a spiritual warfare. Through Ps Leslie’s network, he was able to contact his pastor friend, Evangelist Lin, who lived in her hometown. Evangelist Lin visited her mother. And her mother prayed to receive Jesus Christ into her life as her Lord and Saviour.

Praise God! Her father was not ready then and so he stayed away from the evangelist.

Ever since her mother has become a believer, even though she is still in hospital, her health has improved so much. Evangelist Lin brought his wife along on his next visit to follow up with her mother, who was able to relate with both of them.

God was not finished with Anna’s parents yet. Later, her father was admitted to hospital and the evangelist visited him. Lo and behold, her father informed her that while being prayed for, he declared that he would worship Jesus forever. That was one of the greatest news she could ever receive. Both her parents have come to know our Lord Jesus Christ.

They will be spending eternity in heaven with her one day. And all this happened just two weeks before her birthday. Thank God for this wonderful birthday gift He has presented her during the last Christmas Season.

METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETY 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 T 6478 4818 F 6478 4817 E mms@methodist.org.sg W www.mms.org.sg Fb www.facebook.com/mms.org.sg Ig www.instagram.com/mms.gram