Wednesday, March 14, 2012

In Training

An excerpt from In Training
By Kevin Zirkle, Regional Director of Asia, Europe, and Oceania
January–March 2012

When you prepare for an athletic event, you spend time training for the competition. In Papua New Guinea, WGM missionaries help train pastors so they will be better equipped to lead their churches.

Many people in the rural areas of PNG have not had much formal education. Some pastors have studied only through the equivalent of eighth or ninth grade. Christian Union Bible College offers a three-year program based in the town of Mount Hagen. Many pastors live a distance away and cannot leave their churches for three years to attend. So, the missionaries decided to take the training to them.

Seeing how God is inspiring and challenging church leaders with the training that is taking place is exciting. Pray for the pastors as they study and apply what they are learning. Travel to PNG’s rural areas is not cheap, so pray that the Lord will supply the funds for this training to continue.


ACT: Whether in your local church or in PNG, people need to be equipped for ministry. What can you do to help? If God is calling you to serve in this way, have a chat with your pastor to find out what kinds of needs are in your community.

Monday, March 12, 2012

On the Journey

An excerpt from On the Journey
By Nathan Vitatoe, Spain
January–March 2012

A life spent following Jesus as our Lord and Savior is a wonderful journey.

When trying to discern God’s will for our lives, two of our greatest resources are spending time with the Lord in prayer and studying His Word. God places different circumstances and people in our path to guide us and draw us closer to Himself. It’s easier to see Him when we have His Word on our minds and in our hearts.

What is your role in the Great Commission? How has God shaped your life to share His grace and love? For some it may be moving to a distant land where His name isn’t known, and for others it is sharing the love, joy, and hope of knowing Jesus at home in the U.S. with family, friends, and neighbors.

ACT: Do you know how to find your role in the Great Commission? Reading the Bible and spending time in prayer is a good way to start. Need a resource to help you through the process? Pick up a copy of the World Go! Manual at www.wgm.org/worldgo.

Regional Update: South America and Spain

An excerpt from Regional Update: South America and Spain
By Ron and Bonnie Gouge, Regional Directors of South America
January–March 2012


Demonstrations, economic crisis, political uncertainties, and socialist leanings are among the many things that characterize South America these days. Yet, the message of Christ continues to impact lives and bring true peace in an ever-changing world. WGM is carrying this message in the countries of Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, and Spain.

In the midst of a changing world, WGM believes that God never changes and that His love endures forever. Join us in taking this message to South America and Spain.

ACT: Invest in young lives by joining a work team in 2012-2013 to remodel our mission residence in Argentina, equipping it for university students.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Concert of Prayer: Interceding for Caleb

An excerpt from Concert of Prayer: Interceding for Caleb
Middle East
January–March 2012

Nothing is impossible for God. Having lived in the Middle East for seven years, I’ve been in my share of tough situations, but God has always brought me through. This situation was different, though. It was completely hopeless. Everything was stacked against my brother in Christ, Caleb (name changed for identity protection).

Caleb is one of the few local believers in the mostly Muslim country where I live. Several years before I knew about him, he ran into some trouble. His brother-in-law showed up drunk at his house and was threatening him and his family (possibly because of Caleb’s new faith in Christ). Caleb tried to get him to leave peacefully, but then his brother-in-law pulled out a large knife. In the scuffle that ensued, his brother-in-law was killed.

The authorities came and Caleb was arrested and held for trial.

In September 2010, this need was highlighted in WGM’s Concert of Prayer and countless prayer warriors began interceding for Caleb. A couple months later, one of the sons of the deceased contacted us, accepted the agreement, and accepted a sum of money to seal the deal. The next day, Caleb was summoned for execution and would have been killed if not for the agreement the day before!

Truly, God listens to the prayers of His people and nothing is impossible for Him!

There are many more like my brother Caleb in this area of the world who suffer because of their faith. Will you take time right now to pray for the persecuted church as well as for Caleb and his family?

Monday, March 5, 2012

Repairers of Broken Walls, Restorers of Dwellings

An excerpt from Repairers of Broken Walls, Restorers of Dwellings
By Bill Bucher, Support Staff
January–March 2012

“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will rise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairers of Broken Walls, Restorers of Streets and Dwellings.” (Isaiah 58:12 NIV)

This verse took on a whole new meaning when Men With Vision started the Adopt a Home in Haiti project. Using good building material is necessary for safe, secure dwellings, and we wanted to give the staff at Radio Lumière homes that would last for a long time. But we couldn’t find a source of good, quality cinder blocks in Haiti. (Quality control is often difficult to maintain in poor countries, and Haiti is one of the world’s poorest nations.) It became necessary to explore other resources. We began praying that God would provide a way to make blocks for these homes.

Delivery of the machine and production of blocks is scheduled for early 2012. Please be in prayer because much planning remains to be done: shipping the machine to Port-au-Prince, purchasing the property for a business location, training staff, and marketing the new concept of this type of building construction.

ACT: Get involved with the Adopt a home in Haiti project. Click the link to learn more.