We have the joy of partnering with like-minded churches around the world. The following is a brief overview of things to pray for in September as Sovereign Grace Churches are planted and established in many different countries. The following is the latest prayer update for the month of October:
In his book, “Truth On Fire - Gazing at God Until Your Heart Sings”, Adam Ramsey writes the following: “Relying on our own cleverness to live out the Christian life is like trying to circle the globe in a glider. It might fly for a while, but predictably, it is going to crash. Prayer, on the other hand, is God’s sovereignly appointed means of connecting our never-ending neediness to God’s never-ending power. Prayer is the vehicle through which God will accomplish his invincible purposes, through the lives of weak dependent people, like you and me.”
I love that quote, and it’s so true. Without His sovereign help, we’re like a glider trying to circle the globe, all by itself, and so here’s how you can be praying in the month ahead, we so need Him…
Please pray for Todd Peterson and Erik Rangel who are nearing the end of a recent trip to India. Please pray for wisdom as they continue conversations with various church leaders (Arun in Prayahraj, Caleb and Sidhanta in Bhubaneswar and Hemo in Karaput) in determining a way forward for future SGC partnerships. Todd and Erik have been leading the Villatoro ministry in Vempadu, headed by JP, with the hopes of converting it into a formal foundation. They have also been overseeing plans for a Bible College in Gundugolanu, and so please pray for wisdom and clarity for these men as they continue to serve in this way.
Please pray for Bert Turner (Executive Pastor of Covenant of Grace Church, Copley, Ohio) as he continues his time in Brazil (September 1st – October 12th). Please pray for safety and good health for all those who are travelling. Please pray for good communication as Bert meets with Pastors Emerson, Fabiano, Guilherme and Jader as they seek to build gospel-centred relationships through which Jesus can build his church. Please pray for Rich Richardson as he joins Bert in Brazil, so that as they communicate and preach they will “bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 3:9-11).
Please pray for Dave York and his team of SGC pastors (Dave Taylor, Riley Spring, Tony Walsh and Lynn Baird) who will travel to the Philippines from October 7th-16th to conduct oral exams for ordination. There are 19 men who are candidates, and so please pray for peace and wisdom for them as they sit these exams. Please pray for safety for everyone travelling from Australia, the USA and the Philippines, and that God would give understanding and discernment to the SGC pastors on the ordination panels.
Please pray for Nick Kidwell and his team who planted Valley Creek Church in Malvern, Pennsylvania on Sunday October 2nd. The church building is located in the heart of Malvern amongst many local homes and businesses. Please pray that it will be a place that brings about gospel change for many folk in the community there. Please also pray for unity for the team, asking God to give them a united vision for the mission they are on together.
Thank you for praying with us. May His grace abound! To subscribe to the monthly Sovereign Grace Missions Newsletter, follow the link below.