It’s Up to Me
During New Years, I participated in a conference called the World Mission Summit. It was a gathering of 4000 students and missionaries and the theme was “It’s Up to Me”. Our goal was to both inform and challenge the young people to reach their world - in this generation.
I helped design and lead the mission workshop for the Europe region. We constructed a 4000 sq. foot replica of a European Cathedral, complete with candles (battery operated), stained glass and even an altar. Over 1500 students participated in this experience.
More than 840 young adults at the conference filled out commitment cards to “give a year and pray about a lifetime” of missions service. I wept as I watched young people respond to God’s Spirit. One student reflected how impressed he was that the call was not coerced by a person, but that time was given for the Holy Spirit to gently speak to each individual. The challenge came after a full morning of “prayer for the nations,” video clips from ministries around the world, several praise and worship times, and a stirring message. Four of the students who responded felt a call to come and serve in Germany! For more pictures visit the photogallery.
Support Raising
Our year of support raising is half over. We have enjoyed being back in the land of Wal-Mart and Apple Pie, but are looking forward to returning to Berlin. Our current target for departure is mid to late May.
We are so thankful to the many churches who have hosted us for mission services, spotlights, Sunday school classes, youth meetings and even a Women’s Tea. It has also been a joy to reconnect with individual supporters and old friends and share about what God is doing in Germany.
Praise God that in the past 6 months we have raised 50% of cash funds needed and only have $600/month in pledged monthly support to go. Would you consider a special gift or increasing your monthly support? Every little bit will help get us back to Berlin.
Personal Update
In December, Amy and I celebrated our 10th wedding Anniversary. Mercy (8 - in March) loves the 2nd Grade - especially her teacher. Jack (4) is thriving in his Pre-School and has made lots of friends. Alex is teething and just about to walk. He will be one year old on February 25th. We love and appreciate you all so much!
You can send your gift - with checks made payable to “World Missions #2606200” and put our name in the memo line to World Missions • 1445 Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802. Or use your Visa Debit/Credit card securely on line via our website. You can also set up an auto deduct to conveniently make your donation each month. Thank you!
Monday, February 23, 2009
News from the Babcocks - Missionaries to Argentina
In spite of the world-wide shaking… or maybe because of it, God continues to surprise us with open doors of ministry. We are planting King’s Castle, the youth ministry to 12-18 year olds in three new Provinces in three months, seeing kids saved, filled with the Spirit and set free from sin. As you can imagine, we are stretched to capacity and beyond. Your offerings are helping us to keep the ministry going. THANK YOU!!!!
Meet some of our staff:
Ceci is our highly-dedicated secretary. She is married and has a little girl. She receives around $200/mo.
Raquel is a Bible school graduate with a missionary calling on her life that she is nurturing right now through Castle ministry. She is our right hand and leader of the staff members. She makes less than $200/mo, and is incredibly committed to the ministry.
Zebadias, a 20-year-old Bible student, plans to be a pastor one day. He is enrolled in a Classical Biblical studies program, allowing him to work in Castle full-time for 3 months and then part-time for 3 months. His work includes contacting pastors, traveling to churches and training teenagers with much passion. His Bible school bill is $115/mo and we’re able to give him $30/mo for living expenses. He receives some help from home.
Cata is a 20-year-old nursing student who is called to Africa. She attends school in the morning, and works hard at Castle every afternoon and during her summer and mid-semester breaks. She calls pastors, sets up and teaches at our training seminars and travels to remote areas. Her nursing school bill is $35/mo and she receives about $95/mo for living expenses. (She has no financial help from home.)
Vanina and Carina, are two 20-year-olds who are enrolled in the Intensive Biblical studies program at the Bible school. (The Intensive program meets during the months that the Classical program has off.) Their school bills are about $100/mo. They each receive $30/mo for living expenses. Vanina is called to be a missionary in Africa. Both work hard setting up seminars and training young people.
Sergio, a 20-year-old who is planning to be a pastor, is our creative genius. He’s also enrolled in the Intensive Biblical studies program. Like Vani and Cari, he comes from a poor family, so he also gets little or no help from home. When not in school, he creates dances to use in evangelism, and travels to some of our farthest provinces. His school bill and living expense allowance is the same as Cari and Vani.
Florencia just joined our staff. Since funds are so tight, she had to choose between a school scholarship or $100/mo living expenses. She chose Bible School and is attending the Classical program with ZebadÃas, for $115/mo. She is learning to do the training seminars, and is very talented in dance and drama. She relies on monies from home and is believing God for the salvation of her mother.
Matias also recently joined our staff. He had the same choice as Florencia and opted to go to a State school where he can study free, and receive $100/mo living expenses. Right now he’s studying engineering. He left an incredible scholarship opportunity at a private school in his home province to come and study here, because loves Castle ministry and decided that this was God’s plan for his life right now. He is currently learning to do training seminars. He is also an incredible break dancer and that talent opens doors to teenage boys’ hearts all across Argentina.
David is working a full-time job (6 days a week, gone 9 hours a day), going to school and doing the accounting for Castle. Since he does not have time to work with the ministry like before, he receives only board and about $30/mo. David has been on staff at Castle for 5 years. During that time, he graduated from Bible school, and he helped hold the ministry together when there were no in-country directors. We need him back in the office full-time. We are short-staffed for training seminars since we have more provinces that want to be a part of Castle ministry. His school bill is $100/mo and he needs $100/mo for living expenses.
These are our incredible staff members. They are living by faith, because each one needs more than they are getting. Since we are not a church and only receive offerings from the teenagers we work with, we do not have the resources to pay them what they are worth. Right now we have more Castle expenses than income, but we cannot even think about letting anyone go, because we need every one of them.
If one of these stories has touched your heart, and you can commit to paying one of their Bible school bills, please let us know. It would be a one-year commitment and you and your student could keep in touch by email should you desire. Each one of these kids is an incredible investment that will produce much fruit for the Kingdom this year and in the years to come.
Again, thanks so much for your prayer support and to those of you already helping financially. WE DO NOT TAKE YOU FOR GRANTED!! Without your faithfulness, there wouldn’t be a King’s Castle ministry. Please believe with us for God to move supernaturally in every area of the ministry.
Meet some of our staff:
Ceci is our highly-dedicated secretary. She is married and has a little girl. She receives around $200/mo.
Raquel is a Bible school graduate with a missionary calling on her life that she is nurturing right now through Castle ministry. She is our right hand and leader of the staff members. She makes less than $200/mo, and is incredibly committed to the ministry.
Zebadias, a 20-year-old Bible student, plans to be a pastor one day. He is enrolled in a Classical Biblical studies program, allowing him to work in Castle full-time for 3 months and then part-time for 3 months. His work includes contacting pastors, traveling to churches and training teenagers with much passion. His Bible school bill is $115/mo and we’re able to give him $30/mo for living expenses. He receives some help from home.
Cata is a 20-year-old nursing student who is called to Africa. She attends school in the morning, and works hard at Castle every afternoon and during her summer and mid-semester breaks. She calls pastors, sets up and teaches at our training seminars and travels to remote areas. Her nursing school bill is $35/mo and she receives about $95/mo for living expenses. (She has no financial help from home.)
Vanina and Carina, are two 20-year-olds who are enrolled in the Intensive Biblical studies program at the Bible school. (The Intensive program meets during the months that the Classical program has off.) Their school bills are about $100/mo. They each receive $30/mo for living expenses. Vanina is called to be a missionary in Africa. Both work hard setting up seminars and training young people.
Sergio, a 20-year-old who is planning to be a pastor, is our creative genius. He’s also enrolled in the Intensive Biblical studies program. Like Vani and Cari, he comes from a poor family, so he also gets little or no help from home. When not in school, he creates dances to use in evangelism, and travels to some of our farthest provinces. His school bill and living expense allowance is the same as Cari and Vani.
Florencia just joined our staff. Since funds are so tight, she had to choose between a school scholarship or $100/mo living expenses. She chose Bible School and is attending the Classical program with ZebadÃas, for $115/mo. She is learning to do the training seminars, and is very talented in dance and drama. She relies on monies from home and is believing God for the salvation of her mother.
Matias also recently joined our staff. He had the same choice as Florencia and opted to go to a State school where he can study free, and receive $100/mo living expenses. Right now he’s studying engineering. He left an incredible scholarship opportunity at a private school in his home province to come and study here, because loves Castle ministry and decided that this was God’s plan for his life right now. He is currently learning to do training seminars. He is also an incredible break dancer and that talent opens doors to teenage boys’ hearts all across Argentina.
David is working a full-time job (6 days a week, gone 9 hours a day), going to school and doing the accounting for Castle. Since he does not have time to work with the ministry like before, he receives only board and about $30/mo. David has been on staff at Castle for 5 years. During that time, he graduated from Bible school, and he helped hold the ministry together when there were no in-country directors. We need him back in the office full-time. We are short-staffed for training seminars since we have more provinces that want to be a part of Castle ministry. His school bill is $100/mo and he needs $100/mo for living expenses.
These are our incredible staff members. They are living by faith, because each one needs more than they are getting. Since we are not a church and only receive offerings from the teenagers we work with, we do not have the resources to pay them what they are worth. Right now we have more Castle expenses than income, but we cannot even think about letting anyone go, because we need every one of them.
If one of these stories has touched your heart, and you can commit to paying one of their Bible school bills, please let us know. It would be a one-year commitment and you and your student could keep in touch by email should you desire. Each one of these kids is an incredible investment that will produce much fruit for the Kingdom this year and in the years to come.
Again, thanks so much for your prayer support and to those of you already helping financially. WE DO NOT TAKE YOU FOR GRANTED!! Without your faithfulness, there wouldn’t be a King’s Castle ministry. Please believe with us for God to move supernaturally in every area of the ministry.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Quick Update on Baby Ganesh
Just a quick update as I know many of you have been praying with us for baby Ganesh and his surgery. The surgery went well and the doctor has said it was succesful. The parents were extremely concerned and deeply impacted by the loving care and prayers given by the team.
Ganesh is now on the ward and continuing to receive care. He has been taken off the IV and is eating. A few days ago he had diarrhea 8 times, but yesterday only twice. The doctor was concerned that he would not have bowel control if there was any damage to the spinal cord during the operation. So you can pray for that. Also pray for the water on the brain (hydrocephalic) condition to turn around so he will not need a shunt.
We praise God for his miraculous help and his healing hand! A miracle for this baby and family is happening! You can almost see the transformation in his mothers face- the dark heaviness seems gone and she is almost glowing. She speaks often of Prabhu Yesu (the Lord Jesus) and what he has done as we visit her in the hospital. Please pray for the fullness of this miracle both in Ganesh and in our community to come about!
The SCPL seminar is also going great and we are looking forward to the upcoming Holy Spirit conference for our believers and the medical camps in the coming days.
Blessings,
The Andersons
Ganesh is now on the ward and continuing to receive care. He has been taken off the IV and is eating. A few days ago he had diarrhea 8 times, but yesterday only twice. The doctor was concerned that he would not have bowel control if there was any damage to the spinal cord during the operation. So you can pray for that. Also pray for the water on the brain (hydrocephalic) condition to turn around so he will not need a shunt.
We praise God for his miraculous help and his healing hand! A miracle for this baby and family is happening! You can almost see the transformation in his mothers face- the dark heaviness seems gone and she is almost glowing. She speaks often of Prabhu Yesu (the Lord Jesus) and what he has done as we visit her in the hospital. Please pray for the fullness of this miracle both in Ganesh and in our community to come about!
The SCPL seminar is also going great and we are looking forward to the upcoming Holy Spirit conference for our believers and the medical camps in the coming days.
Blessings,
The Andersons
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Guarisco Ministry Update - Chi Alpha Missionaries
Atlanta, here we come!
As you may remember, one of our faith goals this year was to send ten people on a short term missions trip. I'm pleased to inform you that God exceeded our expectations, and in just five more days we're sending 13 people from our ministry on a one week missions trip to Atlanta, GA! Thanks to all who have been faithfully praying for our H2O Campus Church one year faith goals.
Next week is Spring Break for our UM students...a time when most students head to the beach for sun, fun and partying. We asked our ministry members to consider doing something radically different this year, and challenged them to dedicate this one week break to the Lord, as a time to serve the poor and needy in one of Atlanta's roughest neighborhoods. As I said, they responded in great numbers, and our team is departing Saturday to work with a powerful church in Atlanta that is loving the poor and preaching the gospel to a neighborhood in desperate need of Christ. Please pray for our team all next week. Thanks.
UPDATE ON OUR ONE YEAR FAITH GOALS
We've seen God do so many miracles this school year, and many of our faith goals have already been met or exceeded. However, some of our faith goals are still far from being reached, and we'd like to ask you to join with us in your prayers as we work toward meeting each goal by the end of April.
Thanks for your faithful prayers and generous financial investment in our ministry vision to reach the University of Michigan for Christ.
In Christ's love,
Nino and Tammy Guarisco
As you may remember, one of our faith goals this year was to send ten people on a short term missions trip. I'm pleased to inform you that God exceeded our expectations, and in just five more days we're sending 13 people from our ministry on a one week missions trip to Atlanta, GA! Thanks to all who have been faithfully praying for our H2O Campus Church one year faith goals.
Next week is Spring Break for our UM students...a time when most students head to the beach for sun, fun and partying. We asked our ministry members to consider doing something radically different this year, and challenged them to dedicate this one week break to the Lord, as a time to serve the poor and needy in one of Atlanta's roughest neighborhoods. As I said, they responded in great numbers, and our team is departing Saturday to work with a powerful church in Atlanta that is loving the poor and preaching the gospel to a neighborhood in desperate need of Christ. Please pray for our team all next week. Thanks.
UPDATE ON OUR ONE YEAR FAITH GOALS
We've seen God do so many miracles this school year, and many of our faith goals have already been met or exceeded. However, some of our faith goals are still far from being reached, and we'd like to ask you to join with us in your prayers as we work toward meeting each goal by the end of April.
Thanks for your faithful prayers and generous financial investment in our ministry vision to reach the University of Michigan for Christ.
In Christ's love,
Nino and Tammy Guarisco
Monday, February 16, 2009
Newletter from the Webbers - missionaries with Convoy of Hope Europe
Reflections of 2008. It was a great year! I heard a quote recently from one of our leaders, Greg Mundis, which has us looking ahead!
No ministry has a future unless its dreams are bigger than the memories of the past. Convoy of Hope Europe along with Church Planting Initiative, Masters Commission Europe and European Church Revitalization are positioned for 2009 to be a banner year.
We currently have 17 outreaches planned for 11 countries. We are also prepared to expand upon those already scheduled and add more.
This year will be the most challenging, but potentially the most productive year in our missions experience. The potential to transform the spiritual destiny of thousands of people is before us. We are desperate for your prayers. We believe that financial provision will be overwhelming. We are convinced that those accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior will be integrated into local churches, discipled and become valuable servants of God.
The first week of February, we will be traveling to Tirana Albania. COHEU is partnering with Calvary Church in Toledo to sponsor children who are not in school, live in extremely poor, rat infested conditions and do not have adequate food and clothing. We are taking a team of Masters Commission students from Holland and Spain to clean and exterminate the building where 30 children live with their parents. There are another 20 children in the neighborhood who will receive clothing, food, school supplies and school fees.
There will also be a food distribution in Moldova. Please pray that these two outreaches will bring long lasting results and rich rewards for those being ministered to.
To accomplish something worthwhile there is a cost. Would you consider a one time 200.00 gift or more? This would allow us to complete and accomplish four of the 17 outreaches in the coming year.
No ministry has a future unless its dreams are bigger than the memories of the past. Convoy of Hope Europe along with Church Planting Initiative, Masters Commission Europe and European Church Revitalization are positioned for 2009 to be a banner year.
We currently have 17 outreaches planned for 11 countries. We are also prepared to expand upon those already scheduled and add more.
This year will be the most challenging, but potentially the most productive year in our missions experience. The potential to transform the spiritual destiny of thousands of people is before us. We are desperate for your prayers. We believe that financial provision will be overwhelming. We are convinced that those accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior will be integrated into local churches, discipled and become valuable servants of God.
The first week of February, we will be traveling to Tirana Albania. COHEU is partnering with Calvary Church in Toledo to sponsor children who are not in school, live in extremely poor, rat infested conditions and do not have adequate food and clothing. We are taking a team of Masters Commission students from Holland and Spain to clean and exterminate the building where 30 children live with their parents. There are another 20 children in the neighborhood who will receive clothing, food, school supplies and school fees.
There will also be a food distribution in Moldova. Please pray that these two outreaches will bring long lasting results and rich rewards for those being ministered to.
To accomplish something worthwhile there is a cost. Would you consider a one time 200.00 gift or more? This would allow us to complete and accomplish four of the 17 outreaches in the coming year.
Miracles......the stage is set - From our missionaries in India
God is up to something...the stage is set and we sense we are on the verge of something wonderful!
Somewhat apart from our formalized planning God seems to be bringing together here in Siliguri a group of people to minister...all people who move in spiritual authority, prophetic and prayer ministry, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. What is God up to? What is he about to do?
SCPL
Next week, we will be having our SCPL (School of Church Planting and Leadership) seminar here in Siliguri. We are expecting to be about 55 people this time! We will be having teaching on Evangelism and Church planting, as well as prayer ministry, wonderful times of worship and what ever else God has on his heart for us. Workers are coming in from Bh*tan, Ch*na, Assam, West Bengal, Bangladesh and gathering. Please pray with us for an outpouring of God's presence and a mighty renewal and infilling of all of us as we gather for this time.
HOLY SPIRIT EMPHASIS
Immediately following the SCPL we will be having a special Holy Spirit emphasis in our local church plant or what we call "satsang" (contextual word for place of worship). We are asking God to fill each and every one of our believers with his Holy Spirit! Then, the next days after that, our speaker will be teaching on Ministering in the Power of the Holy Spirit in our School of Frontier Missions and at the same time we will be doing two medical camps in poor communities where we work. We are believing God for more than just medicines to be distributed. We want to also see God distribute miracles! Amen?
A MIRACLE FOR BABY GANESH
Speaking of medical miracles, please pray with us for a little boy named Ganesh. He is about a year old and has a herniation at the base of his skull and also on his lower back. He was just admitted to the hospital today and will be having surgery tomorrow or the following day. It is a very difficult operation, where they have to cut the brain and also restore the spinal cord nerve to its correct place. It is likely, without a miracle that he will loose the use of his legs. Please stand with us for a miracle and for God's guidance for the neurosurgeon. He has agreed to do the operation free of his costs, and has been great to work with, but we need God to anoint him as he operates!
Can you take just a moment, even now, to intercede for little baby Ganesh? And that through this miracle, his family and community will see the glory and love of God?
Breakthroughs of the kingdom of God! May his kingdom God and be demonstrated in Word and deed in Siliguri in these days.
God bless you and have a happy Valentines day too! We love you much!
Todd, Cindy, and family
Somewhat apart from our formalized planning God seems to be bringing together here in Siliguri a group of people to minister...all people who move in spiritual authority, prophetic and prayer ministry, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. What is God up to? What is he about to do?
SCPL
Next week, we will be having our SCPL (School of Church Planting and Leadership) seminar here in Siliguri. We are expecting to be about 55 people this time! We will be having teaching on Evangelism and Church planting, as well as prayer ministry, wonderful times of worship and what ever else God has on his heart for us. Workers are coming in from Bh*tan, Ch*na, Assam, West Bengal, Bangladesh and gathering. Please pray with us for an outpouring of God's presence and a mighty renewal and infilling of all of us as we gather for this time.
HOLY SPIRIT EMPHASIS
Immediately following the SCPL we will be having a special Holy Spirit emphasis in our local church plant or what we call "satsang" (contextual word for place of worship). We are asking God to fill each and every one of our believers with his Holy Spirit! Then, the next days after that, our speaker will be teaching on Ministering in the Power of the Holy Spirit in our School of Frontier Missions and at the same time we will be doing two medical camps in poor communities where we work. We are believing God for more than just medicines to be distributed. We want to also see God distribute miracles! Amen?
A MIRACLE FOR BABY GANESH
Speaking of medical miracles, please pray with us for a little boy named Ganesh. He is about a year old and has a herniation at the base of his skull and also on his lower back. He was just admitted to the hospital today and will be having surgery tomorrow or the following day. It is a very difficult operation, where they have to cut the brain and also restore the spinal cord nerve to its correct place. It is likely, without a miracle that he will loose the use of his legs. Please stand with us for a miracle and for God's guidance for the neurosurgeon. He has agreed to do the operation free of his costs, and has been great to work with, but we need God to anoint him as he operates!
Can you take just a moment, even now, to intercede for little baby Ganesh? And that through this miracle, his family and community will see the glory and love of God?
Breakthroughs of the kingdom of God! May his kingdom God and be demonstrated in Word and deed in Siliguri in these days.
God bless you and have a happy Valentines day too! We love you much!
Todd, Cindy, and family
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Glutting Prayer Letter - Chi Alpha Missionaries
Please pray for:
Rich and Monica Brubaker, missionaries to University of Oregon. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 54% of their budget). Pray for physical health, they have 3 boys and all 5 of them have passed around a virus.
Scott and Rachel Shank, missionaries to Western Michigan University. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 41% of their budget). Pray for peace of heart for his pre-schooler who is having difficulty with her Dad traveling, being away from home (as he goes out to speak at church sevices).
Bill and Debbie Seale, missionaries to Boise State University, ID. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 14% of their budget). Pray for a "break-through" with Arizona pastors. Bill has pastored for the last 8 years in Tucson AZ, and as finances are tight in the economy, he needs to have doors opened with pastors he has gotten to know in the Tucson area.
Gregg and Erin Glutting, National Chi Alpha support raising coach. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 94% of their budget). We are doing well, but we need to continue to reach 100% of our budget. Please also pray for Jordon with his school work and his emotional stability, especially at home.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support. The Lord bless you!!!
Love in Christ, Gregg & Erin
Rich and Monica Brubaker, missionaries to University of Oregon. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 54% of their budget). Pray for physical health, they have 3 boys and all 5 of them have passed around a virus.
Scott and Rachel Shank, missionaries to Western Michigan University. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 41% of their budget). Pray for peace of heart for his pre-schooler who is having difficulty with her Dad traveling, being away from home (as he goes out to speak at church sevices).
Bill and Debbie Seale, missionaries to Boise State University, ID. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 14% of their budget). Pray for a "break-through" with Arizona pastors. Bill has pastored for the last 8 years in Tucson AZ, and as finances are tight in the economy, he needs to have doors opened with pastors he has gotten to know in the Tucson area.
Gregg and Erin Glutting, National Chi Alpha support raising coach. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 94% of their budget). We are doing well, but we need to continue to reach 100% of our budget. Please also pray for Jordon with his school work and his emotional stability, especially at home.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support. The Lord bless you!!!
Love in Christ, Gregg & Erin
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