Keep Praying

An excerpt from...

Keep Praying

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The Church is the key to spiritual growth
By Twana Johnson, Missionary, Mexico
April-June 2015

She was only 14, but she found our church and started coming regularly. We loved her big smile and willingness to stand and give God the glory during praise and worship time.

She started to bring her grandmother who lived just down the street from the church. At first, Grandma wasn’t too sure about coming. She was from an established religion and felt it was being a traitor to that faith. Unfortunately, the granddaughter quit coming, but to our surprise, Grandma kept coming! She loved the worship music and even had one of our young people put praise music on her phone so she could listen during the week. Her favorite is “The Power of His Love” by Hillsong (in Spanish, of course).

One of the ladies from the congregation went to her home and led her to the Lord. She joined the new converts’ class and grew spiritually. She moved in with her daughter and granddaughter to save money, but suffered persecution from them. As she sought advice, she learned to “be quiet and pray” and to respond in love. The church body prayed as well.

Recently, just before Grandma was to be baptized, the daughter talked to the lady who led her mother to the Lord. She confessed that she had seen such a change in her mother and wanted what her mother had! Praise the Lord, she confessed Him as her Savior. How exciting it was to hear Grandma, the daughter, and the granddaughter give their testimonies and watch them be baptized! I heard someone comment: “Grandma looks so much younger than when she first started coming!” That’s what happens when Jesus shines!

We were tempted to be discouraged because the granddaughter had quit coming, but we kept praying for her. God was working, not through us, but her grandma. What a lesson in faith.

Are you discouraged because you are not seeing a change in the situation or the person you are praying for? Don’t give up. God is working.

PRAY: Father, I pray for those who have been praying for years for a loved one to find Christ. Remind them that You are working and You have a plan. Encourage them to keep praying and assure them that You are listening. Amen.

Discipleship Takes a Team

An excerpt from...

Discipleship Takes a Team

By Kristi Crisp, Support Staff

October-December 2014

What do you do when your children’s ministry breeches the 100 mark? You call in the reinforcements! The Cristo Viene church in Paraguay and Pastor Nilda Vazquez did just that as this church began to see significant growth over the past few weeks. The World Gospel Mission missionary team responded, helping to fill the gaps.

The weekend I was there, I experienced firsthand why sometimes discipleship takes a team. The kids attending this Saturday morning worship service come from the community surrounding this modest church. These kids have street smarts. They come from broken, underprivileged families, some providing for themselves by stealing. Yet on Saturday mornings, the Cristo Viene church opens its doors and its hearts to these children, offering a safe, positive environment where Jesus can be seen in the lives of this body of believers. The church has seen the needs of the kids and started providing lunch for this crew so no one leaves hungry. All of these things, plus learning more about the God who created these little ones, started a growth spurt in this ministry outreach.

In comes the team to help minister….

Mark Donahue and his friend Hugo Leguizamón led a singing competition between the girls and the boys. Man, could they sing! There is not a more joyful noise than hearing little ones jump, shout, and praise Jesus.

Sharon Carr brought her puppet ministry team to share Bible stories with the little ones. The puppet team is made up of young leaders in a nearby church. It was a blessing to see these teens using their talents to share the love of Christ with those younger than themselves.

Larry Carr used illusions to share biblical truths with the kids. His sleight of hand kept the kids guessing what would come next. I mean who doesn’t like a good magic trick?

Pastor Vazquez and her family ended our service by blessing each little one with a shoebox from Samaritan’s Purse. It was a joy to see the kids open their boxes and enjoy the goodies that had been packed especially for them.

Sometimes it takes a team. Just as God used His team of disciples to minister to the hearts of the people they visited, Cristo Viene is following that same model. And what better reason than seeing children come to know Jesus as their personal Savior!

ACT: Get your “team” together for a ministry outreach opportunity. Encourage your sphere of influence to clean up a neighborhood park or serve dinner at your local mission. The way you serve is your choice, but take time to serve Jesus with fellow believers this year.

Church Ministries [April 20-26]

Florencio. Rudy. Evangelina. They are in heaven because of church ministries among the Guarayo tribe of Bolivia. Although they have passed away, we will meet them on Resurrection Day.

Church is more than the building you go to on Sundays. It’s about building relationships, encouraging people in their walks with God, and reaching out to unsaved friends and neighbors around the world. The next time you walk into your church, remember the Bolivians who are worshiping in the open air, a congregation in Papua New Guinea that is sitting on banana leaves, and those in the persecuted church who are worshiping in secret. We all serve the same God!

• Pray for God to open the hearts and minds of those around the world who do not know Him. May we be faithful to share the good news of salvation with them.
• Pray for God’s protection on those worshiping and spreading the Word in sensitive or dangerous areas.
• Pray for good time management, extra strength, and times of rest for church leaders as they balance home and ministry obligations.

GIVE: Make a Memorial for Missions gift in memory of Florencio, Rudy, Evangelina, or someone who was influential in your salvation story. 

PODCAST: Enjoy interviews with missionaries who serve in key missions causes. Listen to this week’s podcast!

CALL: Call WGM’s Prayer Lifeline at 671.7232 (Marion, Indiana, area) or 1.800.426.0846 (toll free) to join other concert-goers in hearing this week’s recorded prayer.

SHARE: Invite others to pray with you during the concert. We depend on your prayers! Email us at thecall@wgm.org and tell us who you are praying with so we can encourage our staff.