Students who served internationally this summer in the Asia-Pacific Rim are now back on their campuses. Those who served were challenged to return to their campuses ready to mobilize others. Pray that these commitments to mobilize would be lived out and that God would raise up more students to serve next summer.

Although the Nepali Limbu and Bantawa Rai people groups are still considered to be "unreached," praise be to God that there are believers and churches among them! Please pray that these believers will abide closely with the Father and be emboldened to take the gospel to other unreached peoples in Nepal and abroad. Petition for vibrant, healthy churches among these peoples so that when they are sent out, they will reproduce healthy churches.

Pray for the 20 pastors and church leaders in Ilmamen (southern Kenya) who are nearing the completion of their Certificate of Biblical Ministries. Pray that God will sustain them as they establish faithful, gospel churches. "But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head" (Psalm 3:3 ESV).

(swah-HEE-lee) - Persecution is a real risk for Swahili-speaking Arabs of East Africa. Believers have been beaten, assaulted, and kicked out of their homes when they have revealed that they are Christ followers. As families attempt to cover the shame that comes with their children walking away from their religion, the safety of the new believer is at risk. Those who have fled still long for their communities to know the one true God and look toward the day when they can return home. For those who choose not to let their families know about their faith, they deal with the daily stress of being found out and losing it all. This often causes them to lead double lives for many years, thus stunting their spiritual growth. Pray that those undergoing persecution, both real and expected, will receive the promise of Psalm 34:17 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:17 ESV).

(suh-POHR-oh) - "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore" (Psalm 133 ESV). Please pray for increased unity in Christ for believers throughout the island of Hokkaido. Pray that regardless of language or nationality, they will find identity and purpose in Him. Pray that they will be rooted in His Word and stand strong in its truth. Pray for a spirit of humility, confession, and reconciliation for believers and churches. Pray for believers to extend love and grace to each other like Christ does, speaking truths of Scripture in kindness and love. Pray that when nonbelievers in Hokkaido interact with believers, it would bring a better understanding of who God is, rather than confusion. Pray that as believers become more unified, the gospel would pour out in a vibrant and intentional way across this island. Believers are excited to see God continue working powerfully as they faithfully pray together.

(sow toh-MAY ee PRIHN-sih-pih) - Last month, Pastor Tiago, general secretary of the Baptist Convention of São Tomé and Príncipe, attended an "Eight Steps of the Missions Continuum" training in Angola, where he was equipped to lead the churches of his convention in taking greater strides toward realizing Jesus' Acts 1:8 promise that they would be His witnesses both at home and "to the ends of the earth." Pray for Pastor Tiago and for the churches as they look for ways to train, send, and support missionaries in São Tomé, in Príncipe, and to the ends of the earth.

(pah-MEER-ees) - Only around 10,000 Narrow Passage People live in the narrow Central Asian valley they call home. It is a land of steep gorges and precipitous climbs, beautiful and stark. These people have very similar cultural practices and are nearly indistinguishable from their neighbors in most ways. Almost entirely Muslim, they are known as a people of strong magic, and their valley is the place to go to find someone capable of a powerful curse or a healing spell. There are ancient religious sites throughout the valley, shrines and holy trees with an Islamic veneer but that predate Islam by many years. This is a very spiritually dark place, difficult to reach and not very responsive to the gospel. Natural disasters at development work have opened up opportunities to share with these people, but very few believe. Pray for the seekers among the Narrow Passage people. Ask the Holy Spirit to send dreams and visions of Jesus to this valley to drive people to seek Him. Pray that the Word will spread and be effective in the lives of those reading it.

He came to class, seeking a better life. "If I could learn this language, then I could get a job that could change my future." As he studied, he heard stories from the Word of God, which started to change his manner of thinking. In what started as a desire to gain worldly treasure, Hans found the Father and gained an eternal treasure. He now teaches at the same center that shared with him the good news, only now he's sharing with the hurt and broken people around him of a hope that is greater than any "worldly dream." Please pray for courage for Hans, and ask that there will be more like him. Pray that as students come seeking a better life, they will find eternal life.

Believers are walking through this crisis with nonbelieving neighbors, friends, and family members. The opportunities to share the gospel are unparalleled. People are asking for prayer, going to their believing neighbors with questions, and willing to listen. "Holy God, we pray that believers will demonstrate attitudes of peace in the midst of this current situation. We pray that they will comfort their friends who grieve losses and explain why fear doesn't consume their thoughts. We pray that the lost will ask them about the peace they have in times of trouble so that they might hear the words of hope and believe. Please give believers boldness to share the gospel with clarity and grace." "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27 ESV).

Please pray for a retreat that will be held for pastors' wives in Guerrero, Mexico, on October 17-20. Several of these women lived through Hurricane Otis last November. Life is still not back to normal. Pray that this retreat will be a refreshing and encouraging time in the Lord and that they will be able to go back home with renewed strength.

(koo-MAH-oo-nee) - Give thanks to God for one new believer who had been seeking the Lord for almost four years! She recently chose to surrender her life to Jesus and follow Him in baptism. Please pray for her to grow daily in her walk with the Lord. May she have the strength to face any persecution that may come.

Are you a follower of Jesus who works as a healthcare provider? Research shows strong correlations between spiritual care and positive health outcomes among patients who were cared for both physically and spiritually. When doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals lovingly and respectfully share their faith and offer prayer for their patients, there is a profound difference. This is what many local medical workers and nursing students among the Coffee People have been training to do. Recently, many healthcare leaders were equipped to train others to share their faith with patients. Similarly, a group of students joined this training and had practical application at the local Baptist hospital, praying for sick patients, listening to their stories, and sharing the truth. Join us in thanksgiving as we celebrate so many being equipped to share the good news of salvation in Jesus! Please continue to pray for these many medical workers to be bold in their witness as they share with patients. Ask God to give them a heart to encourage other believing co-workers to share too.