Missions Catalyst

Greetings,

Though we avoid reporting on stories already covered well elsewhere, we should acknowledge the death of George Floyd, the grief and anger many are feeling, and the violence that’s spread across the United States.

• See how a news ministry in New Zealand reports events and asks readers to pray for the United States (INcontext Ministries).
• Read Weep with Those Who Weep (Wycliffe Bible Translators USA).
• Consider the words of InterVarsity’s Tom Lin on the ministry’s resolve to pursue justice and reconciliation.

Likely you have also already heard about the May 19 death of Christian leader, evangelist, and apologist Ravi Zacharias.

• Read a brief article about his contribution (World Evangelical Alliance).
• Watch a livestream of his funeral on Facebook.
• Pray a prayer for justice and peace Ravi wrote after another tumultuous season (Ravi Zacharias International Ministries).

With love and prayers,
Marti Wade

Source: WorldVenture, June 1, 2020

On Saturday, May 30, 2020, we broke ground for a permanent place of worship. The story behind the ceremony for a new church building began years ago. After decades of missionary work, there are only about 100 Wolof believers [known Wolof believers in Dakar]. Out of those 100 believers, less than a third attend church on a regular basis. This breaks our hearts. When we spoke to some of them, they shared several reasons for not attending.

• “It doesn’t feel sacred.” They desire a formal place of worship.
• “It doesn’t feel Senegalese.” The worship style of most churches is imported.
• “They can’t understand it.” It is in French instead of Wolof, their heart language.
• “They can’t find it.” Many Dakar churches rent houses. The rented houses do not feel like a sacred place to worship. The rented houses are in obscure neighborhoods and are often forced to move every few years.

Because of this, we felt it was important to start a church, but we wanted it to be Senegalese. We desired to plant a church in partnership with our church association. After talking and praying with them for a long time, they finally came to us and said, “We need a church in Dakar for our young people. They are full of faith when they leave the villages for work or school in the city and they come back lost.”

We had a prayer of dedication for the land and the building on Saturday, May 30. On June 2, we [began] laying the foundations of the building. As we reflect on what God has done in the past, we see how God has paved our way.

» Full story explores obstacles they had to overcome. Let’s pray for the Wolof church to grow and draw more people to Jesus.

» Maybe you heard that a company in Dakar has developed a US$1, 10-minute COVID-19 test (Fast Company). Some at the lab have gotten sick, though, and one has died (The New York Times).

» More from West Africa: read a roundup of news and analysis of three violent attacks in Burkina Faso (Sahel blog) and read about children left behind in West Africa’s conflict-torn regions.

Source: Asia Harvest, June 2020

We believe the intense spiritual battle underway in China will be a turning point in the war between the light of the gospel and the forces of darkness in China. If God’s people endure and overcome, the revival fires that have blazed in China for decades may grow to a new intensity not seen before, with tens of millions more people coming to Christ.

The militant atheists who lead the Communist Party are terrified of this prospect. They are doing everything they can to stop the gospel spreading, which (ironically) they view as a virus. Official government documents have referred to the “Jesus Fever” infecting multitudes of people.

A few weeks ago (on May 3), the below video emerged of a typical house church meeting being raided in the city of Xiamen in Fujian Province. Six brothers who were identified as leaders were taken away and have not been heard from since. Pray not only for these brothers and sisters, but for the tens of millions of believers across China who are currently facing similar trials.

» See full story. Video is about 2.5 minutes in length and includes English text and subtitles.

Source: Open Doors, June 2, 2020

Each year when the World Watch List releases, there are many countries that you probably expect to see on the list because you follow the news. You know Kim Jong Un is a dictator, so you’re not surprised to see North Korea. You prayed about the Asia Bibi case, so it might make sense to see Pakistan on the list. You joined millions of Christians in prayer for Andrew Brunson’s release, so seeing Turkey on the World Watch List isn’t a shock.

But then there are other countries that might make you do a double take. Maybe the country is a tourist destination, known more for its sparkling beaches or incredible natural wonders than its treatment of believers. Or maybe the country is made up of Christians as its majority religion—how could such a place have a problem with Christian persecution?

And yet, these are countries that are oppressing God’s people, on the World Watch List for important reasons

» Full story highlights Maldives, Qatar, Nepal, Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya, and Russia and shares ways to pray.

Source: United World Mission, June 1, 2020

The Good News of Jesus Christ permeates even the furthest of places. Watch how God used Nepali partners to bring breakthrough in Nepal, reaching 40 people groups in 500 villages and training 2,000 Nepali leaders.

» See full story. Video is almost eight minutes long and beautifully illustrates key principles for reaching oral people, partnership, holistic ministry, etc.

» See also the Prayercast page about Nepal for ways to pray.