Year in review: IMB's 2013 top stories

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News Year in review: IMB’s 2013 top stories … Salt and light … The unseen suffering … Missionary doctor sees ‘miracle’ in HIV victim Pray Pray without ceasing … Loving the Lost, Edition 12 … Prayer guide/calendars Give What do other people do? Lead your church VIDEO: Join the journey Resources The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places … The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected Forward this to a friend       Your IMB E-Letter Jan. 8, 2014   News   Year in review: IMB’s 2013 top stories The horrifying and catastrophic disaster stories are the ones that grab immediate news headlines. But individual accounts of hope and redemption found within global stories of tragedy and loss are all the more influential because they are lights shining amid darkness. Also see: Best of 2013 Africa Best of 2013 Eurasia Salt and light Persecution is not just a possibility in many parts of Southeast Asia, it’s a reality. Despite threats and pressure, several Christians choose obedience over fear, boldly proclaiming the Gospel right where they live and work. Check out these stories and photos: Healing in faith:   Budi Perkasa (name changed) has unwavering faith. He’s seen God heal many of his patients. A witness among hunters:   While hunting with his friends, Dian Wulandari (name changed) talks about family, faith and Jesus. Sphere of influence:     Two men with different lives start where they work to make Jesus known in their communities.       VIDEO: The unseen suffering "There is a whole church suffering right now on the face of the earth," says Gaby Wentland, founder of Mission Freedom, an organization that combats human trafficking. More than one person is trafficked across international borders every minute. They are often unnoticed and ignored. Will you speak up for those who have no voice? Also see: Human exploitation: Don’t give up the fight!  The process of rescuing a victim of human exploitation is arduous; wounds are deeply ingrained. People passionate about helping to rescue victims must be ready for a long fight and determined not to lose heart.       Missionary doctor sees ‘miracle’ in HIV victim People worldwide took note when an HIV-positive child in Hannah Gay’s care went into remission. Gay, a pediatrician with the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, says she was just standing by as God performed a modern-day miracle.     Pray Pray without ceasing Intercede for the nations all week long with these online prayer resources from the field. All three options can also be delivered directly to your inbox when you subscribe Today’s Prayer: A daily glimpse of what God is doing around the world.   PrayerLine:  Three times a week, PrayerLine offers strategic, focused prayer requests. Also available as a downloadable audio file or by calling (800) 395-PRAY (7729). Weekly Prayer Highlights: Perfect for your midweek prayer meeting and small groups. MORE PRAYER RESOURCES: Loving the Lost, Edition 12 Prayer is one way Great Commission Christians express their love for the lost. This newest 30-day prayer guide will open your eyes and heart to intercede for those who don't know Him. God is doing incredible things despite suffering and persecution.        Prayer guide/calendars East Asian peoples prayer calendar:   Be a part of what God is doing among East Asian peoples as you pray strategically throughout the year and connect on a heart level with unreached people groups, megacities, student strategies, special events and more. European peoples prayer guide:  Nearly 99 percent of Europeans are going through life without a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. Use this prayer guide to discover success stories as well as challenges Christian workers face daily. Sub-Saharan Africa prayer calendar:  Pictures, fast facts and topical prayer requests provide fresh, creative ways to intercede for sub-Saharan African peoples.    Give What do other people do?  Do you plan to leave an inheritance to your children but don’t know where to start? It can be helpful to know what other Christian families have done. Let us help you think through the possibilities. To begin your family’s will and/or trust, click on the link in the lower right-hand corner, “How to get started.”         Lead your church VIDEO: Join the journey On every road trip, you want to know where you are now, where you are going and how you will get there. God has clearly given us, the church, our end destination – that all nations will worship Him. To get to that end, the church must share the Gospel every step of the way. How can you lead your church to get there? How about a road map? On imb.org/lead, find people and resources to help you along the journey of bringing a lost world to Christ.     Resources The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places    A new book by Nik Ripken, a leading expert on the persecuted church, prepares readers to go faithfully into the world – across the street or around the globe – understanding what it means to follow Christ no matter the cost. The Insanity of Obedience is a call to follow and partner with Jesus in the toughest places on this planet.       The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected Nik Ripken, who earlier wrote The Insanity of God, has walked with followers of Christ from the hills of Kentucky to war-torn Somalia. The ashes of Somalia led the Ripkens to travel around the world to hear the persecution stories of hundreds of believers.           Forward this to a friend Do you have friends who are also interested in international missions? Forward this e-letter to them and encourage them to use the box below to get their own subscription. Subscribe here ------- You are currently subscribed to A missions update: Your IMB as: sallee.missions@blogger.com. If you do not wish to receive further updates click unsubscribe. -------