(VIN-took) - With the start of a new school year, Youth With A Purpose (YWAP), a ministry of the local church in Windhoek, will begin its 27th year of teaching Windhoek youth about Jesus. Please ask God for this year's youth group to grow roots firmly planted in God's truths, making them unshakeable by the world in which they live. Would you pray that God will make this generation of youth into a mighty force for His purposes, reaching the nations with the great news of Jesus?
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/(is-tan-BULL) - One church in Istanbul had a huge Christmas service and invited many neighbors, friends, and family members. It was an incredible success, with more than 400 people in attendance, including many first-time guests who engaged with believers. They distributed around 40 copies of the New Testament and at least 100 copies of a booklet explaining the meaning of Christmas. One woman expressed her readiness to become a Christian, stating that she felt like she belonged there, unlike what she had felt with Islam. Multiple men from the eastern part of the country were challenged by seeing a special drum, which they considered to be a unique part of their culture, being used in Christian worship. They are now contemplating how it could be used to praise God and have requested further discussions about Christianity. Pray that this church will be able to follow up well with those who are interested in learning more. Pray that God will water the seeds that were sown at Christmas!
Amid the ongoing war, many of the 12 million displaced Sudanese people have fled to the bordering countries of Chad, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Those who can afford it have gone to the Arabian Peninsula or Europe. Some have been granted asylum in North America. They have left family, friends, homes, schools, and livelihoods. Many have left their hearts and hopes in Sudan. One refugee stated: "We're burdened with love for this land." Another shared: "The day Sudan opens up, I'm going back." Lift up the growing Sudanese diaspora. Pray for them to meet the Savior while in their new locations and to grow mighty in faith. Ask for them to be able to return soon to a peaceful Sudan. Pray for them to carry the gospel with them as God's instruments of hope and healing.
"Heavenly Father, the Taiwan city of Keelung has many churches, but still, most of the population remains unreached with the good news. Please give these churches a heart for the lost and a spirit to mobilize others to reach their city with the gospel of Christ."
"Mas Bro is a dedicated believer who faithfully shares the gospel. He works on our team as a full-time disciple maker and evangelist. Pray for his health and ability to continue in ministry. Especially, pray for God to expand his vision to be able to lead multiple groups and encourage them to share the gospel on their own. Pray that he will know the Lord deeply and live a life of integrity in the midst of health struggles, family demands, and all the small distractions that Satan might use to keep him from spending time with the Lord."
With the cold weather and snow persisting in the "Valley of Treasures" during the winter months, rhythms of life have changed and people are staying indoors more. This can be a barrier to meeting and connecting with neighbors to share the gospel with them, and most of the people in the region do not know Jesus as He truly is. Pray for believers in the valley to find winter gathering spots where they can share the gospel with others in their community. Intercede also for opportunities for believers to be able to invite neighbors into their homes or for doors to be opened for them to enter their neighbors' homes. Ask that in such times, the gospel will go forth in truth and love. Pray for people in the valley who don't know Jesus to peaceably receive the gospel and the believers who bring it.
"My ministry partner and I have been meeting regularly with a couple we met a coffee shop -- Rakesh (a Hindu man) and Alia (a Muslim woman)," missionary explorer John Pratt said. "I invited them to church this past Sunday. They showed up! This was the first time either of them had ever been invited to or come to a church! I was preaching that day, and the pastor was translating for me. But near the end, he had to step out. That left Rakesh as the only English-speaker who could translate to the local language. I asked him to help me, and he gladly did. He didn't know that he would be translating Scriptures about how Jesus Christ is the only salvation for our sinfulness. We didn't plan this. God orchestrated it all! After the service, this couple had lunch with us and even joined us for ministry activities all afternoon. They asked a lot of questions about the Bible, church, and Jesus. After explaining things and sharing my personal testimony in depth, Rakesh was quiet for a while. To say the least, it was a very good day. God is working. He is good. Thank you for praying for us and for Rakesh and Alia, who are obviously seeking God and are convicted. Please keep praying."
http://www.imb.org/great-pursuit/(HAHK-uh) - Taoyuan Shalom Baptist Church will send a youth team to Miaoli for a weekend to minister to the Hakka people of Miaoli. Pray for preparations by the youth at Shalom Baptist Church and preparations by the church they will be working with, Miaoli Baptist Church. Pray that God, even now, will be preparing Hakka hearts to hear and receive the good news, bringing entire families into His kingdom. Pray that these two churches will set an example for other Taiwanese Baptist churches to engage Taiwan's unreached Hakka Chinese.
(sahn-tee-AH-go) - For most Chileans, the year really begins in March, as summer in the Southern Hemisphere ends in February. Pray for Chilean Baptists to rest in the Lord this month and allow Him to give them vision and passion for the new year of ministry.
"Please be in prayer for the nearly 40 believers from across East Africa who will be attending a two-week residential training course on effective cross-cultural missions. They are all either feeling called to go to the nations themselves or to help their churches be more effective in sending missionaries. Pray for understanding, for inspiration, and for unity as we strive to build up biblically sound missions strategies in the next generation of Great Commission missionaries coming out of East Africa."
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/