Images of 2013

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News Images of 2013 … Olympics: Engage Sochi ready to launch … A Valentine’s story: Love never leaves … Missionaries: quiet revolutionaries of freedom Pray Afghanistan: Prayers for the healing of a country … Baptists in Ukraine pray in the face of violence and protests … Weekly Prayer Highlights Give Plan your tomorrow Lead your church Train and go! Resources Black Missions Link – special Black History Month editions… Kids On Mission, Volume 3, Edition 3 -- Beyond the Barriers Forward this to a friend     Your IMB E-Letter Feb. 5, 2014   News   Images of 2013 The world experienced untold suffering during 2013. Evil, hatred and lostness spread darkness in many places. But IMB workers and their partners were there, easing pain, bringing light and hope, lifting the name of Christ and extending the Gospel to the nations. Watch the year in review and listen to audio comments from the photographers who, themselves, were touched.   Olympics: Engage Sochi ready to launch Will Baptists have a witness at the Winter Olympics? Is Sochi safe? Will other issues arise? Marc Ira Hooks speaks to such questions in an interview about the Feb. 7-23 games. Hooks is the creator and co-director, along with Earl Gillespie (name changed) of Engage Sochi, IMB’s initiative focusing on church planting in the host city and on outreach to Olympic competitors and guests from all over the world. Listen to this Engage Sochi music video: Where the sea meets the snow     A Valentine’s story: Love never leaves When they were teenagers, Bal and Anila Rai began their love story by whistling at each other using leaves. Forty years have passed and the couple, as high spirited as ever, work together to preserve their traditional music and create worship songs. Get a glimpse of this true love story and watch a video showing how music is made with a leaf. Check out 10 ideas to celebrate Valentine's Day a little differently this year to show others the love of Christ.      Missionaries: quiet revolutionaries of freedom Stop apologizing for your missionary roots. Be proud of your spiritual ancestors. They changed the world of their day and ours. Missionaries have spread freedom and education, aided the poor, worked for the empowerment of women and advanced general human progress almost everywhere they have gone. Visit WorldView Conversation, the blog related to this column. Listen to an audio version of this column.       Pray Afghanistan: Prayers for the healing of a country As Christians we have a calling to intercede for those living in the shadow of death. At this pivotal moment in Afghanistan’s history, may we be faithful to plead with God for a country desperately in need of His mercy. Together, let’s make 2014 a year of prayer for Afghanistan. Begin by ordering the Afghanistan prayer guide, a 32-page prayer resource divided into four main segments – peace, reconciliation, restoration and hope. Consider leading your church or small group in a focused season of prayer for a people and country loved by God.     Baptists in Ukraine pray in the face of violence and protests What began as mostly peaceful dissension is turning into a call to arms as the people of Ukraine fear a return to the old ways of the Soviet Union. IMB worker Brady Sample (name changed) works closely with the Ukrainian Baptist Union, the largest evangelical association of churches in the country, which is calling for members to fast and pray for a peaceful solution to the conflict.       Weekly Prayer Highlights A “Cuba Initiative” allows nationals from Latin American countries to travel into Cuba and work alongside Cuban nationals. The JESUS film was recently shown among an unreached people in north Brazil in their heart language. In East Asia 200 people decided to follow Christ following a church Christmas concert. All these situations need prayer for open hearts and for believers as they share their hope.   Read more at Weekly Prayer Highlights  – perfect for your midweek prayer meeting and small group. Subscribe to receive Weekly Prayer Highlights directly through e-mail.     Give Plan your tomorrow What does the Bible say about the distribution of our material wealth when we die? Watch Plan your tomorrow and be enlightened by biblical principles and perspectives that are the core values for Christian estate planning.     Lead your church Train and go! Looking for missions training opportunities for your church? Ready to impact unreached peoples? Training events and forums are being held all over the country this year. Learn about ministry techniques in sub-Saharan Africa, how to partner in the Americas or how you can “embrace” Central Asia. Join in medical missions, learn about storying. Share your experiences with other churches. Check out these events at a church near you!       Resources Black Missions Link – special Black History Month editions During February, our bi-monthly newsletter will become four separate editions for Black History Month, delivered every Thursday of the month. The editions will cover the distant past (1800-1960); recent past (1960-1990); present (1991-2014); and future (2014-2030). Subscribe right away!   Kids On Mission, Volume 3, Edition 3 -- Beyond the Barriers Some people are harder to reach than others. The people of North Africa and the Middle East face many barriers to the Gospel. In this release, kids on mission will learn to trust Jesus and go beyond the barriers to tell others about Him. All editions include a DVD-ROM, leader’s guide and other downloadable resources. Watch this video to see how you can Plug in KOM!        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. -------

PrayerLine

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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 To hear an mp3 recording of the PrayerLine, click here. http://media1.imbresources.org/files/193/19375/19375-106884.mp3 “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19, NKJV) Hi, this is Eleanor Witcher of IMB’s prayer office, giving thanks with you for God’s activity in the lives of national believers. Young, enthusiastic Lozi pastor Grady* is ready for something new! For the last several months, he has “held down the fort” in Sesheke, Zambia, while the missionaries who love him and disciple him have been away on stateside assignment. For young Grady, the days have surely been long without his friend, missionary Mark, to guide him in the Word. But sometimes it’s in the uncomfortable hours of being “left alone,” that we learn to truly lean on Jesus. While the Wints have been stateside, the small Lozi church that Grady pastors has grown. He has been faithful to share his faith daily and to disciple the members of his congregation.  Often churches can get so bogged down in programs, traditions, and the struggles of life that it can be difficult to reach out to those who are different, yet God is empowering His church in the Deccan of India. Churches are reaching out cross-culturally to Muslims in their communities. As they seek God’s face in prayer for the Muslim communities around them, they are intentionally seeking friendships with them, even in the face of fear and the unknown. Their goal is to engage their neighbors with love, gentleness and humility, and that tradition and Christian culture will not hinder sincere interaction between Christians and Muslims.  * Please pray that through His church in the Deccan, Muslims will hear the truth about Jesus--His life and work on the cross--and will be drawn to Him in repentance and faith. * Intercede for Pastor Grady and the Baptist Mission of Zambia Church as they anticipate the Wints’ return and share all that has been happening during their time away. * Lift up your own congregation, asking God to bring transformation and do a new thing in your midst.

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PrayerLine 
North American Mission Board’s Weekly Prayer

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International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230

[This is a transcript of the audio message currently available on the international missions PrayerLine by calling 1-800-395-PRAY.]
You are currently subscribed to prayerline as: sallee.missions@blogger.com. To unsubscribe, go to: http://subscribe.imb.org
Send any questions to: imb@imb.org.

CompassionNet's Today's Prayer

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Prayer requests on the website are updated every Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m., EST February 5, 2014 “LORD, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You.” (Psalm 88:9b) WORLD LEADERS - “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Prime Minister Klaus Tschuetscher of Liechtenstein (central Europe, between Switzerland and Austria). KOLKATA, INDIA (kohl-KAH-tah) - “During the month of February, we will be working with national partners on a strategic project to determine where the church is and where the church is not. This is a very important project for the future of the work in West Bengal. Pray that God will use this to give vision, help in strategic planning, and create initiative in taking the Gospel to unreached areas.” http://southasianpeoples.imb.org/   SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN PEOPLES - “Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31b, HCSB). During this time of violence and uncertainty in South Sudan, please pray for a displaced IMB family that had made their home in Juba. Ask the Prince of Peace to bring peace to this country and to this family. Pray especially that their children will not be afraid and that they will be able to continue in their schoolwork and establish routines. Petition our Father to keep them healthy and give them strength as they wait upon Him. For additional prayer requests, click here: Today’s Prayer (If you have difficulty with this link, please go to www.imb.org and click on the “Pray” tab, and then click on the “Today’s Prayer” link in the left-hand column.)

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International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230

You are currently subscribed to Today's Prayer as: sallee.missions@blogger.com. To unsubscribe, go to http://subscribe.imb.org and de-select the name of the list you are leaving (Today's Prayer). Send any questions to: imb@imb.org.

Commission Stories puts a human face on international Christian missions. It tells the here-and-now, contemporary story of international Christian missions, making it alive and vital, breathing and inspirational, recounting the lives - volunteer, missionary and international - of those who are living the missions story. Discover more at Commissionstories.com.http://www.commissionstories.com/.

CompassionNet's Today's Prayer

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Prayer requests on the website are updated every Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m., EST February 4, 2014 “Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:19) WORLD LEADERS - “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for President, General National Congress, Nuri Abu Sahmayn of Libya (northern Africa, between Egypt and Tunisia). HADRAMAUT YEMENI ARABS OF YEMEN (HAH-drah-maht YEH-muh-nee) - In recent weeks, there has been an increase in the number of car bombs and fighting between opposing groups. Please ask God to have mercy on these people who have such need of a Savior. Pray that those who are causing the problems will hear the news of peace and forgiveness that Jesus offers, and that they will respond in faith. Pray that violence and unrest will cease. There are those who desire to live among this people group and share the Good News with them, but because of the instability of the region, they cannot. Pray that they will be able to fulfill their calling. HONG KONG AND MACAU, CHINA (ma-COW) - The “Year of the Horse” on the lunar calendar began on January 31, the first day of the new year. This week is a joyful and festive time, as people spend time with family and friends and engage in traditional practices. But the festive time of the Lunar New Year celebration is temporary, and the people living in the cities of Hong Kong and Macau anticipate challenges for the upcoming year: family problems, housing issues, and social and political difficulties. Though people wish each other good health and prosperity during the Lunar New Year festival, many people’s hearts are unsettled and pessimistic. With Jesus, people can face whatever situation is happening in their lives with peace, joy and hope. Pray for the people of Hong Kong and Macau, asking that the “Year of the Horse” will become the year of new life in Jesus Christ! For additional prayer requests, click here: Today’s Prayer (If you have difficulty with this link, please go to www.imb.org and click on the “Pray” tab, and then click on the “Today’s Prayer” link in the left-hand column.)

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International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230

You are currently subscribed to Today's Prayer as: sallee.missions@blogger.com. To unsubscribe, go to http://subscribe.imb.org and de-select the name of the list you are leaving (Today's Prayer). Send any questions to: imb@imb.org.

Commission Stories puts a human face on international Christian missions. It tells the here-and-now, contemporary story of international Christian missions, making it alive and vital, breathing and inspirational, recounting the lives - volunteer, missionary and international - of those who are living the missions story. Discover more at Commissionstories.com.http://www.commissionstories.com/.

PrayerLine

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Monday, February 3, 2014 To hear an mp3 recording of the PrayerLine, click here. http://media1.imbresources.org/files/193/19307/19307-106521.mp3 “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8b, NASB) Hi, this is Eleanor Witcher of IMB’s prayer office, encouraging you to pray for times of training. Compassion Ministry is designed to support and encourage disabled persons and their family members, while also sharing the Good News. Community Transformation Training (CTT) materials are now being written and translated for the Armenian people. After the health lesson is presented, chronological Bible storying will be used to segue into the Gospel. National believers will be trained not only to teach necessary health skills, but also to share the Gospel effectively. About 30 men and women in a new area of Jammu, India, are being trained, and through them, dozens have heard the Gospel. This particular area has significant spiritual oppression with more idols and temples than usual.  The Songhai Team of West Africa conducted their first-ever discipleship training for female believers. They held discipleship and teaching for mature male believers five times over the past year, but never for the women. Like the men, these women came to the capital city for an intense time of teaching, while also experiencing much-needed fellowship and community with other believers.  Silas* the car salesman, Sonya* the translator, and Genya* the apartment remodeler are believers living in the southern Siberian Altai Mountains. They are part of a people group scattered over an area about the size of Texas, and they are part of a younger generation that is moving to these cities where they can find a future. Recently an experienced church-planting couple was appointed to help train people just like these three to tell Bible stories, start house groups, and reach this scattered people group, transitioning in a world that changes every day.  * Please pray for many house churches to be started in southern Siberia.  * Pray that this time of teaching will be a major milestone in the growth of these Songhai women. * Ask God to inspire trainers as they develop lesson plans for CTT training in Armenia and for Bible studies in India. (*pseudonyms)

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PrayerLine 
North American Mission Board’s Weekly Prayer

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International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230

[This is a transcript of the audio message currently available on the international missions PrayerLine by calling 1-800-395-PRAY.]
You are currently subscribed to prayerline as: sallee.missions@blogger.com. To unsubscribe, go to: http://subscribe.imb.org
Send any questions to: imb@imb.org.

CompassionNet's Today's Prayer

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February 3, 2014 “LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out before You day and night. May my prayer reach Your presence; listen to my cry.” (Psalm 88:1-2) WORLD LEADERS - “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia (western Africa). Prayer requests from Eddie W. Cox, director of IMB’s Office of Global Prayer Strategy, to “Today’s Prayer” intercessors: Thank you for clicking through to “Today’s Prayer” and praying with me.  Please continue to pray for the 135 missionary adults and 43 missionary kids participating in IMB’s pre-field departure orientation at IMB’s International Learning Center in Rockville, Virginia. May the Lord grace them with a spiritually enriching and intellectually stimulating experience. Pray also for pending visa applications. May the authorities be led by God’s sovereign hand. Ask God’s blessings on several training events scheduled for this month. Typical workshop seminars include discipleship leadership training, cultural insights, church-planting strategies, etc. February 6-8: Mission EXPO in Louisville, KY February 8: American Peoples’ Connect Training, First Family Baptist Church, Columbus, TN February 10-12: Mission Forum, Antioch Baptist Church, Fairfax Station, VA February 14-15: Sub-Saharan Africa Base Camp 1, Dry Creek Baptist Church, DeRidder, LA February 19-22: Journeyman, ISC, Masters EXPO, International Learning Center, Rockville, VA February 21-22: Sub-Saharan Africa Base Camp 1, Elm Street Baptist Church, Kingsville, MO February 22: American Peoples’ Connect Training, Greater Gresham Baptist Church, Gresham, OR February 25-26: IMB Board of Trustee Meeting, Austin, TX  February 26: Missionary Appointment Service, Great Hills Baptist Church, Austin, TX February 27-March 1: Chronological Storying 2.0, Belleview Baptist Church, Owensboro, KY February 28-March 1: Sub-Saharan Africa Base Camp 1, South Peoria Baptist Church, Peoria, AZ May God’s blessings flow . . . Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to pray for these very important needs. Your prayers make a difference!!! Most sincerely, Eddie W. Cox, director IMB’s Office of Global Prayer Strategy P.S. Please consider downloading the free CompassionNet app, which is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Throughout each week I post prayer requests, videos, people group information, etc. Please give it a look! http://missionaryblogdigest.com   http://facebook.com/compassionnet   http://twitter.com/imbprayerdir   http://linkedin.com/pub/eddie-cox/13/aa4/7a4

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International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230

You are currently subscribed to Today's Prayer as: sallee.missions@blogger.com. To unsubscribe, go to http://subscribe.imb.org and de-select the name of the list you are leaving (Today's Prayer). Send any questions to: imb@imb.org.

Commission Stories puts a human face on international Christian missions. It tells the here-and-now, contemporary story of international Christian missions, making it alive and vital, breathing and inspirational, recounting the lives - volunteer, missionary and international - of those who are living the missions story. Discover more at Commissionstories.com.http://www.commissionstories.com/.