June 2016 – Page 2 – Missions Catalyst

PAKISTAN: “You Reconnected Us with the Lord”

Source: Operation Mobilization, June 15, 2016

Sindh is Pakistan’s largest province and includes a diverse mixture of languages and faith traditions with the majority being Muslim, a small percentage Hindu, and a minority Christian. OM trained and sent out believers to proclaim the life-changing message of Jesus to [twelve Sindhi people groups] living in ten different cities across the province.

One team visited a remote village because the team’s host heard there were believers living in the area. After going from house to house, team members reached a small mud house, where an elderly man, Najeeb, invited them in.

“Our whole family came to Christ ten years ago,” Najeeb told them. “We were rejected and faced discrimination from society for this. We remained steadfast in our faith, but the pastor stopped visiting us after two years because of fear. Now for the last eight years we were out of Christian fellowship and we thought no one would come to us.”

Team members encouraged Najeeb and his whole family, worshiped together, and gave them Christian literature in their local language. The team’s host then committed to visit Najeeb regularly.

“We thank you and praise God for this arrangement,” Najeeb expressed. “You reconnected us with the Lord!”

» Read full story.

» See also an OM story from nearby Bangladesh on Crossing the Distance Online as well as a recent report on The Nomads of Our World.

Practical Mobilization

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Greetings!

We know you’re busy, maybe traveling this summer, or maybe getting some good catch-up time with the kids. We are, too. But we don’t want to stop getting helpful stuff in your hands.

For the June, July, and August editions of Practical Mobilization, Shane’s going to share three quick ideas you’ll want to think about and then pass along to your friends and family. So here’s a quick look at three issues (along with a hearty hope that God works in and through you this summer season!)

Blessings,
Marti

P.S.: If you missed it, be sure to check out last month’s Practical Mobilization, Warm Weather Welcome: Seven Ways You Can Make this Summer Soar for New Americans.

Triple Shot Summer Series: Three Quick Ideas You’ll Want to Talk About

By Shane Bennett

Gratitude for Luke 10:2 Answers

Can I tell you something really fun? I’m in Italy this week and ate dinner this evening in Catania, Sicily, one of my favorite cities on the planet. My dining companions were eight intrepid believers from all over the US, laborers for the harvest who have agreed to be our first “official” group, the real guinea pigs, for the Care for Catania vision.

I’ve asked you before to set a daily alarm on your phone at 10:02am to pray as Jesus told us in Luke 10:2, “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.” That alarm went off this morning as I made my way to the airport to pick up my friends flying in. I had a moment of deep, profound gratitude: God has answered the prayer so many have prayed over the past years. Laborers have been sent to my town! And this prayer is not just being answered in my tiny corner of the world, nor with this group alone: God is sending ambassadors from all over to all over. But I sure am thankful for these guys. Will you join me in gratitude for the many ways God is answering this prayer?

Grieving For Orlando

While the young Italian hostess checked us into our AirBNB flat this afternoon, she asked what had brought us to Italy. I told her we wanted to learn about the migrant situation there and perhaps help people a bit. Even as I said that, it was hard to set aside the thought that it’s crazy for me as an American, a resident of a country that had so recently experienced the nightmare in Orlando, to think I could help other people in another country. On one level it feels absurd.

But what was true a week ago is true today: People who love Jesus need to try to follow him; not just believe what he said, but do it as well. One writer framed a Jesus-honoring, faith-over-fear response like this:

“First, look for practical ways to help. Many donated blood yesterday, but more will be needed in coming days, especially rarer blood types. CNN lists several organizations that have set up sites for financial donations to help cover the funeral and medical costs of the victims. Let us be ‘doers of the word, and not hearers only’ (James 1:22).

“Second, stand in solidarity with those who are suffering. Baptist ethicist Russell Moore was right when he tweeted: ‘Christian, your gay or lesbian neighbor is probably really scared right now. Whatever our genuine disagreements, let’s love and pray.’ As Ted Cruz noted, ‘nobody has a right to murder someone who doesn’t share their faith or sexual orientation.’ If we claim to love God, we must love those he loves (1 John 4:20). And he loves us all (John 3:16).

“Third, turn your fears into faith. Be careful and vigilant, but live with bold passion and triumphant trust. Every time fear attacks, name it. Describe it specifically to God. Ask his Spirit to give you courage. And you will discover that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).

“In coming days, as we learn the stories of lives ended and families shattered, we will be tempted by despair. As we face the threat of further terrorism, we will be tempted by dread. But as believers, we do not grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Because no matter how bad things get, our Father is Lord. And he is love (1 John 4:8).”

Fundraising Feast

At dinner tonight, my friend Jenny shared this fundraising gem: “I figured if George Clooney could ask friends to pony up $300K for dinner with Hillary Clinton, I could ask $40 for a great dinner and a chance to hear me talk about God’s work among refugees.”

Turns out she was right. The dinner she cooked was hosted by a current supporter who invited several friends, each of whom paid $40 to attend. Between the three courses Jenny told about her upcoming work. Over dessert she invited the guests to contribute further to her efforts. That dinner has netted Jenny over $800 so far and also initiated relationships with several new people. Of course it also blessed the diners with fresh, helpful information and full, happy tummies. Contact me for more details or the info flyer Jenny used to describe the strategy and recruit hosts.

I hope you have a great summer. Look forward to more quick, talk-worthy ideas and a report on God’s growing kingdom among refugees in Sicily.

» Please feel free to comment and share your ideas with us on Facebook, Twitter, or on our website.

World News Briefs

Greetings!

Ramadan is upon us and with it the month-long season when many of us pray for the Muslim world. Many other notable days are packed into this month, too. In the US, Father’s Day is June 19. World Refugee Day, June 20, is observed by many on World Refugee Sunday, June 26. Numerous ministries reaching out to Muslims are inviting us to pray for those they serve, including OMF which asks that we pray this month specifically for China’s Silk Road peoples (see story below).

Last Sunday at my church we sang the beautiful Chris Tomlin song, Good, Good Father, and I couldn’t help but think how this description of God does not resonate with many, especially Muslims. My heart longed for them to know him as their “good, good Father.”

What will it take for Muslims to change their view of God? In a word… prayer! That is why I am so excited about Frontiers’ Searching for a Father initiative. It coincides with Ramadan but the daily readings follow one refugee family’s story.

Here are some good articles on the topic of God as Father: Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God? (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association), Islam Has No Father (Answering Islam), and, of course, the Bible’s Parable of the Loving Father.

Every day is our Father’s Day!
Pat

CHINA: 31 Days of Prayer for the Silk Road Peoples

Source: OMF International, May 2016

In the Islamic calendar, the special month of Ramadan can remind us to pray with urgency for Muslim peoples across China and other regions of East Asia. For many Muslims, this month is very important, both as a time to renew their commitment and anticipate the main holiday period of the year. Ask God to stir you to pray for the Silk Road people in China during the month of June and early July. Join with others praying for millions of Hui, Uyghurs, and Kazaks to experience Christ’s love.

To join with others in united prayer for the Silk Road people during June and early July:

Text PRAYSILKROAD to 24587 to receive short daily text messages (a series of prayer points distributed from June 6 to July 6).
Download the Silk Road 5x5x5 Prayer Guide (PDF) and invite your friends to pray with you at your church or in your small group.
Pray right now for Hui, Uyghurs, and Kazaks.
E-mail [email protected] for more information. Get acquainted with and consider adopting workers who need your partnership.
Discover more at Pray for China’s Silk Road People.

More than 23 million people [are from these] ten ethnic groups, each person an exquisite detail in a living tapestry of cultures. We long to see China’s Silk Road people blessed by the abundant love of God.

» Full story here.

» Also read China’s Massive, Garish Theme Park for the Muslim World and China’s New Silk Road into Europe Is About More Than Money (Foreign Policy), and check out this infograph on China (INContext Ministries).

CHAD: Mobile Ministry Spreads Gospel Media

Source: Mobile Ministry Forum, May 19, 2016

Brother Tamdaji received microSD cards loaded with the French JESUS Film and began training people who would help spread the media. First, he trained 14 people at the local cell phone company how to put the media on other people’s phones.

Next, Brother Tamadji gave Jerry a crash course on how to spread gospel media on phones with microSD cards. Jerry took a microSD card to school and decided to be a witness for Christ and test this method out as people were waiting in a line.

He chose to share the segment of the JESUS Film where Jesus and his disciples are on the lake during a terrible storm. As they waited in line, Jerry showed this video to ten students. They loved the video! Right there in line, three people gave their lives to Jesus.

Jerry feels that mobile ministry is simple, very efficient, and is a strategy that works for today’s youth.

» Read full story and learn more about media ministry serving refugees (YouTube video of webinar).
» What do you make of this? European Churches Say Growing Flock of Muslim Refugees Are Converting (The Guardian).

WALES: A House of Prayer for All Nations

Source: Joel News International, June 2016

Tucked away in the hills of Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales is a house of prayer and retreat center called Ffald-y-Brenin (Welsh for “The King’s Sheepfold”). Gracefully led by Roy and Daphne Godwin, the center has become the hub of a unique work of God’s Spirit. Their remarkable story is described in the book The Grace Outpouring.

When God called Roy and Daphne to Ffald-y-Brenin, they came in utter helplessness and dependence, not knowing where to start and how to pray. “I cried out to God: “Why did you bring us here? We don’t know what to do with this place.’” Roy recalls. “The first thing he then said to us was: ‘It’s exactly because you don’t know what you’re doing, and you know that you don’t know, that I want you here. I want you to develop this as a house of prayer for all nations.’”

From that moment on, God led the Godwins step by step to develop Ffald-y-Brenin into a place where he could dwell, and it is God’s presence that draws people to the center on a daily basis.

» Full story available from Joel News International. You can also watch an inspiring 12-minute video about this ministry (YouTube/David C. Cook). Cook will be publishing The Way of Blessing, another book about this ministry, in August.

UNDISCLOSED COUNTRY: God Raised an Island from the Sea

Source: Global Opportunities, May 2016

A man named Lucas had a vision of bringing employment and the gospel to a very closed country [and presented to the government his plan to build a medium-sized hotel]. Much to the regret of everyone involved, no suitable land was found. When he returned to this country some months later and met with the local government again, he was given great news:

“While you were away, the harbor was dredged to make room for larger ships, and the dredged sand has formed an island where you can build your hotel!”

The project moved ahead immediately but not without challenges.

This region happens to be a recruiting ground for a terrorist group, and many of the young local men had already headed off to the warzone. By hiring young men to work on his project, Lucas began indirectly reducing the number of potential recruits; he was offering these men a reason to live whereas the recruiters were only offering them a reason to die. As time went on, Lucas and the local religious leader became close friends, meeting regularly for coffee.

Lucas and his team soon noticed the environmental damage being done by the burning of garbage, and they took it upon themselves to launch recycling and waste management programs.

Today, some one dozen locals hold well-paying jobs, and many more will be hired once the hotel is completed. Their culture is being changed as the workers display a new work ethic; parents are happy that their sons are not going off to die but rather are quitting their drug habits and making something of their lives.

» Read full story.