O P E R AT I O N M O B I L I S AT I O N P R AY E R D I A RY JUNE 2021 – SEPT 2021
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H E A RT B E AT P R AY E R D I A RY
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JUNE
08
J U LY
12
AUGUST
16
SEPTEMBER
20
S H I P M I N I S T RY U P DAT E
Where the need for the Gospel is greatest Living out God’s love Local and global focus Sharing God’s love in Africa
ON THE COVER:
Believers worship at new church plant in Zambia. PI C T U R E BY:
Doseong Park E D I T O R : Jane Knoop W R I T E R : Chris Papworth
Bible references are from the New International Version unless stated otherwise. O P E R AT I O N M O B I L I S AT I O N
Registered office: The Quinta, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7LT. tel: 01691 773388 email: hello.uk@om.org w: www.uk.om.org Registered as a company limited by guarantee no. 2564320 and charity no.1008196 (England and Wales)
/OMUNITEDKINGDOM
“ This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask for anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 JOHN 5:14 .
A WORD FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Dear Friends, Isn’t it extraordinary that God – the all-powerful, allknowing creator of heaven and earth – invites us to pray, to spend time in relationship with Him, to intercede for peoples and nations around the world? It can be heart-breaking and overwhelming when we consider that billions of people living in God’s world have no knowledge of His love for them. We understand that more than 2 billion people live in communities where there is no Gospel witness; in towns, cities, regions where there are no Jesus followers to share God’s love with them (source: Joshua Project). My prayer is that as we look out at the world, acknowledging the almost incomprehensible number of individuals who do not know God’s love, the reality of their separation from Him and the hopelessness of so many may motivate us to cry out to our Father even more. Let’s join together to pray for God’s mercy, for His love to be known and for the witness of all those who have intentionally crossed cultural and linguistic barriers in order to live out God’s love among those who are yet to hear. Praying together,
M AT T H E W S K I R T O N , UK CHIEF EXECUTIVE, OM
04
JUNE
1
Afghanistan’s rapidly growing population of 40 million is mostly illiterate and this desperately poor country is ranked 169 of 182 in the UN Human Development Index.
2
June Where the need for the Gospel is greatest Operation World highlights some unsettling facts: less than 1% of Christian income worldwide goes towards activity focused on sharing the Gospel, and only a small portion of this is dedicated to parts of the world where the Gospel is not known or where there is currently no Gospel witness. In addition to this, less than one in 10,000 of people who identify as being Christian have dedicated their life to making the love of God known. The need for the Gospel in our world is great. Billions are yet to hear about the good news of Jesus. But is this need recognised? Sadly, priorities are revealed in how money and time are spent. Join us in praying for the love of God to be made known where the need is greatest.
TUE
To add to its need, Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous countries to be a Jesus follower. Workers have served the people there since the 1960s and several have paid with their lives. Ask the Lord to raise up more Jesus followers with a heart for Afghans.
3
WED
In answer to persevering prayer and costly effort, some Afghans have begun to find Jesus in recent years and now number well into the hundreds. Many of these are in the Afghan diaspora, including growing numbers living as refugees in countries where OM workers serve.
4
THU
Pamir Ministries focus’ on media outreach and provides discipleship training through virtual Bible classes. New radio and TV programmes are constantly being developed to meet the needs of the 6,000 Afghans on the database. FRI
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” J O H N
5
Afghanistan urgently needs stability. The Taliban threaten not only Christian faith but the government itself. Prominent women are at risk.
6
S AT
Widespread access to the new Dari translation of the Bible is needed; 70% of Afghans can understand Dari. Literacy is only around 20%, so audio scripture portions can be heard online or downloaded to mobile phones.
7
More than a million Turks live in the Balkans, but there is little outreach taking place for the sake of the Gospel. Ask for more churches with a vision to be involved in reaching this population. WED
SUN
Turkey continues to be a challenging place to share the Gospel, but we praise God for the steady growth of Turkish evangelical Christianity. We must pray for Turkish Jesus followers to be bold and faithful witnesses.
8
9
MON
In the past 15 years, the Turkish Bible Correspondence Course has been in contact with more than 200,000 Turks, sending New Testaments and other Gospel literature. Where possible, workers will make personal visits to enquirers who want to know more about Jesus. TUE
10
Prayer Emphasis Day. Join us in praying for the impact of Christian media today. The SAT-7 TURK TV news channel provides news from across Turkey, so helping unify and inform Turkish churches and Christians. Programmes cover all aspects of Christian life.
11
THU
The Mercy Appeal enables vital relief and the hope of the Gospel to reach those in desperate situations. Pray for the ongoing impact of this appeal in countries hard hit by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic (uk.om.org/mercy).
12
FRI
It has now been ten years since the start of the conflict in Syria. Little did we imagine then that this terrible war would still be continuing today. We praise God that through the Mercy Appeal, food has been distributed to more than 2,000 Syrian families in 2020 and 1,000 families have had access to vital, life-saving medical care (uk.om.org/mercy). S AT
13
16:33
Praise God that local Jesus followers serving in one of the largest camps in northern Syria are beginning to see glimmers of hope as they share the love of Jesus and provide muchneeded food, detergents and fuel to people who had all but given up hope.
14
SUN
Give thanks for the wonderful growth of vibrant Christian communities in Iran. From only 500 Muslim background believers before the 1979 Islamic revolution, it is estimated there are now approaching 800,000 Jesus followers in Iran (source: Open Doors).
15
MON
In the years before the Islamic revolution, workers in Iran distributed large quantities of Scriptures and Christian literature. Some of these Bibles and books will be collecting dust at the back of cupboards in people’s homes. Pray that they would be discovered again, perhaps by a younger generation, dusted off and read. TUE
06
JUNE
16
Years of repression have created a great thirst for truth in the hearts of many Iranians so there is enormous demand for Bibles. Wherever the Word of God reaches in Iran, people are turning to Christ.
Prayer resources for you or your church We have created resources so that you or your church can join us in praying for people groups around the world who don’t yet know Jesus. These resources are ideal for virtual or in-person small groups or prayer meetings and will equip you to pray effectively for people who have limited access to the Gospel. Sign up for your free prayer resources today at uk.om.org/prayer-resources
17
WED
More than 300,000 copies of the new Iranian Bible translation are in print and blessing Iranian believers in Iran and beyond (source: Elam Ministries). Pray that new believers will learn to study God’s Word and discover Jesus for themselves.
18
THU
Iran has a strategic location in the region so the rapidly growing Church will be instrumental in taking the Gospel to other Muslim people groups. Pray that Iran becomes a strategic sending nation in the Middle East region and beyond.
19
FRI
Praise God that Christians in China now number about 100 million and still see extraordinary growth. But, perceived as a threat to central communist power, the government has introduced a series of harsh repressive measures. Many leaders have been imprisoned and church buildings put to other uses. S AT
20
Persecution in China also attacks the worshipping heart of Christian faith. Believers are being told to sing patriotic songs and declare loyalty to the Chinese government in services. The government has even produced its own translation of the Bible with changes to key events and verses.
21
SUN
Large numbers of Chinese students choose to study abroad. While overseas, some may encounter Jesus followers and come to faith. Pray for those who return home following Jesus, that they would connect with their local church and continue to grow in faith.
22
MON
Communist North Korea, with 25 million people, is the most isolated country in the world. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have died because of persecution. Today there may be 300,000 to 500,000 Jesus followers but perhaps up to 70,000 of them are interned in labour camps (source: Operation World). TUE
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” R O M A N S
23
In Somalia the infant Church is emerging amid great tribulation. The martyr of Christians and especially converts from Islam is increasing.
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WED
In the UK our ministry to Somalis is internet-based and reaches Somalis in seven countries. The addition of an English translation has meant that English speaking 3rd generation Somalis are now able to access the content.
25
THU
People from Libya first heard the Gospel preached at Pentecost, but currently there are only a few hundred Libyan Christians. It is vital that Libyan believers stand firm in their faith and walk closely with the Lord.
26
FRI
Across the Muslim world and in immigrant communities (including the UK) it is very difficult and often life-threatening to make a stand for Jesus. Ask for wisdom and trust for those who are experiencing this kind of struggle. S AT
27
8:18
Algeria is 24th on Open Doors’ watch list but repression across all parts of society has not stopped the Holy Spirit. In the fastest growing church movement in the Muslim world, the past 30 years have seen more than 100,000, mostly Kabyle Berbers, coming to Christ.
28
SUN
Persecution has intensified since 2008 but the Kabyle Christian’s commitment is to move into unreached places in Algeria. There have been many reports of healings and miracles, the greatest of which is the unity amongst the Berber, Arab and foreign Christians.
29
MON
There is freedom of religion in the Himalayan region, but if Christians speak about Jesus they are at risk of fines and imprisonment. However, the Church flourishes and grows in maturity.
30
TUE
Please pray for workers who serve in the countries we have prayed for over the last month. Many face great risk, some have given their lives, but all serve with joy and commitment. WED
Glimmers of hope Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous contributions to the Mercy Appeal. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, our Mercy Appeal has continued to receive calls for help from OM workers and local church partners around the world on a scale we’ve never seen before. Together, we will continue to spread God’s message of hope in parts of the world that never hit the headlines and where the least reached are too easily forgotten. To find out more about the Mercy Appeal visit uk.om.org/mercy
08
J U LY
1
Many Christian workers testify that they are the result of grandparents, aunts, church friends or others who prayed specifically for them right from the start! If you know of someone expecting a baby, perhaps you could commit to praying that this child would grow up loving God.
July Living out God’s love Each one of us are called to faithfully live out God’s life-transforming love in every context we find ourselves in. This month we will be praying for all Jesus followers, through every stage of life. Let us pray that as we grow in love, devotion and understanding of Jesus, that this will move us, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to radically live for Jesus. May we seek to make His name known in our homes, neighbourhoods, places of work and beyond all that is familiar to the communities, cities and countries where opportunities to hear of God’s love are rare. As you read through these prayer points, you may find that other Jesus followers spring to mind and that you are moved to pray for them. In particular consider, are there any young believers you know whom you could commit to praying for regularly?
2
THU
From a young age, stories and pictures capture the imagination. Pray for any children you know, that they would be captivated by stories of individuals stepping out boldly for Jesus.
3
FRI
Pray for children’s ministry in churches across the UK. As children grow and learn about Jesus for themselves are they also learning about the need for the Gospel around the world and the privilege it is to be able to meet and talk about Jesus in freedom?
4
S AT
Many teenagers will be in need of spiritual encouragement this year. As restrictions lift, pray that they would have many opportunities to connect with God and be refreshed by in-person encouragement and support. SUN
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1
5
9
Some teenagers may be joining in with TeenStreet events streamed online. This will be a wonderful opportunity for them to receive good Bible teaching and gain a greater perspective on world mission.
Pray for any Jesus follower looking for a job, that their first instinct would be to seek God’s Kingdom and make choices that see Him glorified among people who do not know Him.
6
10
MON
Starting secondary school can be a challenging time for young people. Pray for any young Jesus followers you know, that they would be inspired to live out God’s love, supported by Christian teachers and school youth workers.
7
TUE
Youth workers play a vital part in the development of a young Christian. Their interests will be reflected in the lives of the young people they influence. Pray for youth leaders to have a vision for God’s wide world.
8
FRI
Mentors play a significant role in every Jesus follower’s journey of faith. Pray that God would place mature mentors in the lives of young Christians. Do you mentor someone, or are you mentored by someone? Pray for these individuals today. S AT
WED
As Jesus followers consider higher education, pray that they would listen to God’s prompting and follow His guidance. Specific training and experience in a sector can be extremely valuable in Christian mission. God uses all skills in His Kingdom work. THU
11
Building the spiritual life and growing in prayer is fundamental. Pray for Jesus followers learning the balance of taking in and giving out. Gaining experience and skills while sharing faith with others will strengthen and help determine gifts.
12
SUN
For many Jesus followers, discovering their place in God’s mission to His world takes time. Pray for any Christian who is discerning God’s call on their life at the moment, that they would be attentive to His voice. MON
13
CORINTHIANS 3:16
Missions Discipleship Training (MDT) is a fantastic opportunity for Jesus Followers aged between 18-30 to spend six months discovering their place in God’s mission to His world. MDT in the UK will take place in person in September (restrictions permitting). Is there someone you know who may thrive on MDT? Visit uk.om.org/mdt.
14
TUE
Often Christian workers need to raise financial support in order to be able to serve with a mission agency, whether in the UK or overseas. This can be uplifting and encouraging, as friends and family gather around those being sent. It can also be a daunting and overwhelming task at times.
15
WED
Many who start out in crosscultural mission have the challenge of language learning ahead of them. It is crucial to be able to communicate in the local language and to gain a good grasp of the culture. THU
10
J U LY
16
When serving cross-culturally there are often unexpected pressures, including within the team itself. Pray for those who are struggling with team dynamics or a lack of support or resource within their team. Pray for unity in the Spirit.
Thank you for getting in touch! In the last issue of Heartbeat we invited you to get in touch and let us know how you use this prayer diary and any improvements we could make. We were so encouraged by your responses and your commitment to praying for God’s world through Heartbeat. You will notice some changes to Heartbeat in this issue. Our hope is that the prayer points will be clearer and easier to read!
17
FRI
Pray for any Jesus follower serving far from home and struggling with homesickness. Ask that God would draw close, reminding them of why He has called them to serve where they are.
18
Pray for families who are moving overseas to serve God cross-culturally. Even during the pandemic, a number of British families have been exploring God’s prompting on their lives, preparing to move, and taking a huge leap of faith into the unknown. TUE
S AT
For anyone starting out in cross-cultural mission it is important to embrace a humble attitude and approach tasks with confidence, whilst being willing to learn from mistakes and listen to the wisdom of others.
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SUN
Some overseas workers will be on home assignment; reconnecting with their sending church, raising prayer and financial support, and taking time to rest. Others will be in the midst of an unexpected, extended season back in their home country as a consequence of the pandemic. MON
21
Jesus’ parting words in the Great Commission are for all Jesus followers. Pray for a movement of believers in the UK, boldly living out God’s love in every aspect of their lives. Some will be called ‘to the ends of the earth’, others will be called to serve in their hometowns.
22
WED
Some Jesus followers choose to serve as Marketplace Workers in countries around the world where there is very little Gospel witness. Marketplace Workers combine their profession with their passion to share God’s love cross-culturally.
23
THU
Some workers serving overseas may be considering whether God is calling them home. Pray for these individuals as they consider the next step of their mission journey. FRI
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1
24
Pray for Jesus followers who have recently returned to the UK after serving God in another country. This may have been for a few years, or for the vast majority of their lives.
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S AT
28
JOHN 4:16
UK churches vary in their commitment to global mission and their focus on the significance of the Great Commission. Pray for your church, and other churches you know in your area, that they would be increasingly mission minded. WED
As returning workers process all the challenges of readjusting to life back in the UK, pray that they would discover a new sense of calling for serving God at home.
Pray for Jesus followers entering retirement. This can be both a time of increased responsibility and a season of flexibility and new opportunity.
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30
SUN
Upon returning to the UK, some workers have chosen to take on the role of being an Ambassador for OM. Often returning from overseas mission passionate for a specific people group, culture or ministry, this is a wonderful opportunity to enthuse others to consider cross-cultural mission (uk.om.org/ambassadors).
27
MON
Pray for older Jesus followers who are committed to passing on their experiences of Christian service, their knowledge of God’s Word, and their understanding of least reached people groups to younger Christians. TUE
29
THU
Many elderly men and women pray faithfully for God’s ministry through OM on a daily basis. This is the foundation and the heartbeat of all ministry; their contribution is fundamental to seeing new fruit and Kingdom growth. Praise God for these individuals today.
31
FRI
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” Psalm 150:1 S AT
Be an Ambassador Are you passionate about seeing people mobilised for the sake of the Gospel? Become an Ambassador for OM! Being an Ambassador is all about sharing your passion for world mission with Jesus followers in your local area, encouraging them to get involved and use their skills and gifts to build God’s Kingdom among the least reached. We are not asking for a huge commitment, just for passionate people to share stories of God at work around the world through OM teams on an ad hoc basis. If you’d like to find out more contact Fiona at partner.uk@om.org
12
AUGUST
1
This past year has thrown up more questions than answers, as we’ve all navigated the effects of coronavirus restrictions and experienced loss and grief in different ways. Yet through it all, we cling to the truth that He continues to prepare a way for the Gospel to be shared both locally and globally.
August Local and global focus The pandemic has highlighted the need for local mission as churches have rallied to support the needs of those on their doorsteps. We are also aware of the increasing diversity in our communities – especially in cities – with a vibrant mix of cultures, ethnicities and religions all within our borders. Many least reached people groups we pray for in Heartbeat are here on our doorsteps. But as we reach out locally we must also maintain a global focus. When needs are geographically far from us, they can slip our minds. We rely on the Holy Spirit to move us to our knees in prayer, to petition for people in our world who have no one else praying for them.
2
SUN
The pandemic has encouraged many Jesus followers to engage with their local communities. Praise God for the outpouring of the local church and for the new connections that have been made and bridges being built.
3
MON
As we serve our neighbours, let us not lose sight of the global need for the Gospel. There are billions of people across the globe who live in places where there is no church and no Gospel witness.
4
TUE
Pray for teenagers who are participating in TeenStreet this summer. Pray that as teenagers gather together in small groups, they would benefit from the discipleship that comes from more intimate fellowship. WED
“...you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” A C T S
5
The TeenStreet team will be streaming worship, teaching, Bible studies and other events for teenagers and youth groups to access. Pray that many teenagers will be encouraged and stimulated in their faith.
6
THU
Much wisdom is needed in knowing how to safely run and engage with outreach events this summer. Pray for workers involved in the planning process.
7
Short-term outreaches are a significant part of engaging with God’s mission to His world. Participants are often transformed through their experiences, and teams who receive outreach participants are blessed by their contribution and encouraged by their presence. MON
FRI
Last month the ‘Love United Kingdom’ summer outreach took place (virtually or in-person, depending on the restrictions in place at the time). Jesus followers from across the UK partnered with local churches in Birmingham to make the love of God known among communities who have little access to the Gospel.
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9
S AT
Seven Virtual Outreaches happened this year, enabling UK Jesus followers to engage in cross-cultural mission during lockdown. Participants connected with workers from other countries, learning about their culture and ministry, joining together in prayer. SUN
10
Pray for those who are seeking God’s wisdom in how to safely conduct short-term outreaches in a world still quaking with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
11
As individuals and groups commit to run, walk, bake or take on some other creative challenge to raise funds for OM this summer, pray that they would simultaneously bring to people’s attention the pressing need for urgent Gospel witness across our world. Visit uk.om.org/fundraise to find out more. FRI
TUE
Give thanks for church congregations in the UK who partner with OM. Many churches have developed mutually fruitful relationships; sending workers and financially enabling God’s work through OM to take place, while also being enriched by the connection to global needs for the Gospel.
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13
1:8
WED
Many individuals are committed to partnering with OM financially and through prayer. Praise God for these vital contributors, without whom essential Gospel work would not be able to take place. THU
14
Pray for workers who have the responsibility of stewarding donations. May they seek God’s wisdom as they make key decisions in how and where this money is spent. Ministries in many countries are blessed by money donated to OM through generous partners in the UK.
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S AT
OM plays but a small part in God’s big picture. Pray for all churches and mission agencies who are focused on enabling God’s love and the truth of the Gospel to reach every corner of the earth, especially places where there is currently no Gospel witness. SUN
14
AUGUST
16
There are many individuals living in our cities in the UK who come from countries or cultures where the Gospel is not known. Many of these individuals do not cross paths with believers.
17 The Sahel Region The Sahel is a vast belt of semiarid savannah roughly between 14 and 18 degrees north, which stretches from the Atlantic to the Nile, dividing the Sahara itself from the forested regions to the south. Today Sahel people groups are mostly Muslim and are desperately poor. For many in the Sahel, the decision to follow Jesus is a great risk – they could lose family, friends and their livelihood. Discover more about how to pray for countries in the Sahel region at operationworld.org.
MON
Workers in the UK are committed to reaching out to refugees and asylum seekers with the love of God. Through this especially challenging year, workers have had to be creative in how they have made and maintained connections.
18
TUE
In recent years, an app has been developed by UK workers to enable Kurdish people to access the Bible. Pray for this significant ministry as ongoing translation and development enables the Word of God to reach more Kurds.
19
WED
Workers who serve with Kid’s and Things ministry have created a fantastic free resource for children’s ministries: Church Street Crew. Pray for the impact of this resource as churches across the UK share the videos in their virtual and in-person services and children’s groups (uk.om.org/church-street-crew). THU
20
Love Lye summer outreach begins today. If restrictions allow, participants will gather in person to serve the diverse, urban community in Lye. Pray that God’s love will be demonstrated and proclaimed and that seeds will be planted for ongoing ministry in this community.
21
FRI
In the UK alone there are close to 3.4 million Muslims, many of whom have little engagement with Christians in their lives. Pray for more churches and Jesus followers in the UK to commit to engaging with their Muslim neighbours.
22
S AT
Preparation and training for those going to serve amongst Muslims normally requires specific cultural orientation. Pray that first steps towards reaching Muslims will be well placed on the road to long-term learning and service.
23
SUN
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to think of the billions around the world who are yet to hear the name of Jesus. Pray that believers across the world would join together in urgent prayer for God’s love to be made known among the least reached. MON
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” P S A L M
24
28
The North Mekong region is home to 240 million people. 70% are Buddhist and more than half have never heard the Gospel (source: Operation World). Pray that Buddhists living in this part of the world will experience the true source of living water.
The Sahel region has a very young demographic. Many trained children’s workers are needed to reach this young population with stories of Jesus’ love. Sports ministries easily make bridgeheads across cultures and language barriers.
25
29
TUE
Almost 10% of the population of Myanmar are Christians (source: Operation World). They need prayer for steadfastness during this time of military rule and great human rights violations.
26
WED
Workers in Myanmar teach English, provide training in local churches and are involved in other compassion ministries. Pray for workers in Myanmar to seek God’s guidance as they serve through a season of turmoil.
27
9:1
S AT
During Ramadan (12th April – 12th May 2021) we prayed for many Sahel and Gulf Muslims to come to know Jesus for themselves. Continue to pray for ongoing contacts and relationship building with new Jesus followers. SUN
THU
OM teams are seeking to train and resource more African workers to engage with the least reached people groups of the Sahel region. Pray for mature men and women to step forward.
30
Across the Sahel and the Gulf region many Gospels and other pieces of Christian literature have been passed out in recent months. Ask that curiosity and spiritual interest will grow and take root. MON
FRI
31
“... at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11. TUE
New children’s ministry resource Are you, or someone you know, involved in children’s ministry at your church? Church Street Crew is a fantastic new video resource enabling children to connect with Jesus and grow in their understanding of Him. Each episode follows the adventures of three friends as they meet some of the people who live in their street, using a mix of puppets, animation, Bible stories and much more to teach children about God. Discover this free resource at uk.om.org/church-street-crew
16
SEPTEMBER
1
One key ministry in South Africa is Mission Discipleship Training (MDT). MDT is an intensive five-month programme to equip young people for a missional lifestyle wherever God may take them. It emphasises cross-cultural community living, one-to-one mentoring, study-based knowledge and practical experience.
September Africa An Islamic teacher living in a small village of subsistence farmers in northern Tanzania recently heard the Gospel and committed his life to Jesus. Before long he was victim of beatings and intense persecution. Being an Islamic teacher he lost his home, his salary, everything. Workers regularly visit this area. They met him and were able to disciple him, finding housing for his family in a nearby village. He was baptised with his wife and now a community of Jesus followers has formed in their village. Join us this month in praying for a movement of the Spirit in the continent of Africa, praising God for all that is taking place for the sake of His Kingdom and petitioning Him for the many who are yet to hear of His life-changing love.
2
WED
Since 1999 OM in Mozambique has trained Mozambicans to serve the least reached in northern regions. This is one of the only missions training schools in the country.
3
THU
The OM Training Centre in Mozambique offers intensive short training courses to near-culture pastors who often do not have access to sound biblical training. As funds allow, four courses are run each year.
4
FRI
The Incaia centre in Gaza province, Mozambique, trains and disciples young people to have a vision for God’s mission to His world. Church planting training has resulted in 10 new churches amongst the rural communities which were previously in bondage to witchcraft. S AT
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2
5
9
Villages in northern Mozambique continue to be devastated by insurgents, with whole communities being forced to flee for their lives. Pray for relief workers who are responding to the needs of internally displaced people.
Prayer Emphasis Day. Some OM teams may be able to meet face to face, but others will still be meeting to pray virtually. His world-wide work which we partake in, depends on partners like you who join with us.
6
10
SUN
Pray for OM church partners in Northern Mozambique who are collaborating with others to respond to the needs on their doorsteps. In this predominantly Muslim part of the country, pray that opportunities to build lasting relationships would arise.
7
MON
The Luke 24 Journey is unique to OM in Namibia. Travelling for a month through mountains or desert, volunteers participating in the Luke 24 Journey have many opportunities to serve and minister to those they encounter along the way.
8
TUE
Namibia is a stable country, but half the population live below the international poverty line. For many communities, daily struggles have been exacerbated by the effects of restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. WED
THU
Zimbabwe’s Tonga, known as the ‘forgotten people’, live in impoverished conditions with little access to health facilities. Over many years workers have travelled to different villages providing free medical care to those in need.
11
Impact Multiplied is an inspiring vision of OM in Zambia. The object is to: a) give building trades training to local men so that they can find work and b) build houses for rental to the private sector, sustaining God’s work through OM in Zambia. MON
FRI
Sharing Christ’s healing love opens many doors amongst the 300,000 Tonga, but as yet there are relatively few groups of Jesus followers. We must pray for a move of God’s Spirit in Zimbabwe to bring healing and reconciliation.
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13
CORINTHIANS 4:18
S AT
In 2005 OM in Zambia sent the first team to Mpulungu, a fishing town and Zambia’s only international port on Lake Tanganyika. Teams now reach out to the marginalised, provide job-training programmes for deaf and disabled men and women and run two community schools. SUN
14
Already the profits from the Impact Multiplied project in Zambia are providing 60% of the budget of two community schools and supplement teacher’s salaries. Future plans are to train around 300 Zambians annually in discipleship, missions and vocational skills.
15
TUE
Pray for the Bullocks, a British family who serve in Zambia. Dan is the team leader in Zambia, and Ruth contributes to a ministry for children with additional needs while home educating their four boys. Read more about their story in the latest Global magazine. WED
18
SEPTEMBER
16
Training new workers African Jesus followers are increasing at a faster rate than on any other continent. They will soon number 200 million and will be two-thirds of the sub-Saharan population! This rapid growth means that many churches lack pastors and many pastors lack training. Teams across the continent are working to help train, teach and give practical Christian experience.
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God’s work through OM in Tanzania is based in the southern Usangu Basin, reaching out to the Sukuma and Sangu people. 38% of Tanzanians are Muslims. A Saturday morning radio programme spreads good news and encouragement over a 45-mile radius.
Broadcasting seven days a week from 5am to 10pm, OM Malawi’s Radio Lilanguka aims to share the Gospel with a people group ordinarily hard to reach. The broadcasting team air a great variety of material including Foundation for Farming modules.
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THU
Tanzanian outreach teams work with university students, visit hospital patients and help sex workers learn sewing skills in preparation for a new way of life.
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FRI
Thank God for the life-changing work of the Foundations for Farming (FFF) project in Malawi. Students are taught about bringing nutrients back to impoverished soil through water retention techniques, composting and tree planting. One participant used to harvest nine bags of maize to feed his family, but after just one year following FFF methods he harvested 34 bags!
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MON
Since peace came to Angola after 25 years of brutal war, biblical Christianity has experienced remarkable growth. OM teams run two Bible schools in Luanda. They also offer a threeyear theological diploma course. TUE
S AT
The majority who attend OM’s Foundations for Farming training are Muslims and are learning about Jesus through the Bible study component of the programme. SUN
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Workers teach an assortment of practical subjects to those being discipled through the Bible schools in Luanda. These include: agriculture, sewing, finance, mechanics, health, computer skills, and English classes.
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WED
In Madagascar the goal is to train up nationals to take the Gospel to the many remote villages along the island that are still unreached. About 50% of the population claim to belong to a Christian denomination, but it is estimated that only 10% truly know Jesus. THU
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” E P H E S I A N S
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The five-month Discipleship Training in the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo, is run once a year. Partnering with local churches, the students are involved in a variety of different ministries including Bible study and kid’s ministry.
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FRI
Pray for other Christian mission agencies reaching out to young people in Madagascar, discipling them and equipping them to share God’s love in their villages and communities.
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Already high illiteracy rates in Madagascar are rapidly increasing. Some families cannot financially afford to send their children to school, and others need them to look after the home or care for the animals. Workers have started a five-month literacy programme for students of all ages and abilities. TUE
S AT
Deborah, a young British woman serving in rural Madagascar, has seen unexpected growth in children’s ministry during the pandemic. There are now seven new children’s groups in the region run by local Jesus followers.
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3:20
SUN
In recent years, more Comorans have come to Madagascar to work and study from the neighbouring Islamic island of Comoros. Teams reach out to Comorans through a Bible study at the university campus in Antananarivo. These Bible Studies include both Muslims and Christians. MON
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Perla is a human trafficking awareness programme which equips young Malagasy ladies to acquire good jobs and avoid being trafficked. Most child-trafficking in Madagascar occurs with the involvement of family members.
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WED
As September draws to a close, join with us in committing all the countries we’ve prayed for this month to the Lord. May His Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven. THU
Pray for Zambia Although Zambia was declared a Christian nation in 1991 and 25% of the population are evangelicals, there is still devastating poverty. More than 58% (2015) of Zambia’s 16.6 million live below the international poverty line of 1.90 USD per day. Three-quarters of the poor live in rural areas (source: World Bank).
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Ship's Schedule 2021
S H I P M I N I S T RY U P DAT E
God’s loved lived out on St. Vincent
W I L L E M S TA D, CURAÇAO
As we celebrate 50 years of God’s faithfulness through ship ministry, let us praise Him for all He continues to do for the sake of the Gospel.
(DRYDOCK)
April 15th – May 25th 2021
KINGSTOWN, S T. V I N CE N T AND THE GRENADINES
In April, a volcano on the island of St. Vincent erupted with devastating affects for islanders. Arriving days after the eruption, Logos Hope crewmembers offloaded 40,000 gallons of drinking water to anyone who came to the quayside to collect it, as most of the country’s drinking water was contaminated. Following annual maintenance in Curaçao, Logos Hope plans to return to St. Vincent to assist in further relief work, where OM in the Caribbean are already responding. Join with us in praying for God’s love to be revealed.
(NOT CONFIRMED)
May 27th – July 27th 2021
Crewmembers offload drinking water to those affected by the eruption on St. Vincent.
