Prayer Journal May 9, 2012

Praise

Many good partnerships are developing through the work of our Send Vancouver Coalition. We are praying for the over 60 churches who have expressed interest in our city and cooperating with our churches in fulfilling the call of God to reach the lost throughout our region. (jess.l.holmes@gmail.com)

We are thankful for the Ethnecity conference with over 150 participants. The teaching and experiences of the week focused upon reaching the lost in the urban environment. Leaders from over 27 states and provinces were represented in the efforts. Pray the teaching will be put into practice by not only the participants but those they will teach upon return home. Pray also for the doors to partnership between cities and the foreign field will be enhanced by the deepening relationships initiated at the conference. (rwoodard@namb.net)

Over the past week we have learned of four potential sites for church plants to gather for worship and training. Pray for the doors to open for Chinese Christian Gospel Church and a new potential Hispanic congregation.

An entire trailer full of block party equipment and supplies was driven up and donated by the California Southern Baptist Convention. People from 20 of our churches and plants attended the training given by Randy McWhorter. Praise God with us for this amazing gift from our new friends in California! (gcoaktree@gmail.com)

More churches are becoming aware of the online discipleship training school called LEAD 360 being offered by our national convention. Pray for the leadership of our local churches to take the initiative in offering ongoing training for the members of their church. Pray for Alfred Ma as he leads this effort. (alfredma@shaw.ca)

Gary & Carol Oaks, MSC volunteers from Arizona, who served here for 2 years, have returned for 4 ½ months over our busy summer period. Their former landlord is letting them stay in a different suite he owns, close to transit and one of our churches, rent-free! That was a surprise and a blessing to them. (gcoaktree@gmail.com)

Bethel Romanian Baptist recently ordained Flavius Jeler, the son-in-law of Corneliu Ardelean. It was a joyous occasion enjoyed by the Romanian community from Tacoma to Vancouver. Continue to pray for wife of Flavius as she seems to be recovering well from cancer treatments. (cornel@gmail.com)

Requests

21 summer missionaries and "Current Canada" interns are arriving next month to serve in 5-7 locations with church planters. Pray as they prepare spiritual for the ministry God would have for them as they come to our city. Pray for God to guide them in their ministry here, and to provide all the resources they need. Pray for wisdom and courage in their ministry.

Our primary contact person in Victoria, on Vancouver Island (a Christian businessman named Glen who has been liaising with several soon-to-arrive church planter families) has just suffered a stroke. Pray for a rapid and complete recovery as well as support during this time of hospitalization.

Immanuel Christian Fellowship has sent a mission team to Asia. Pray for safety & effectiveness as they minister and share their relationship with Jesus Christ. (comofhope@hotmail.com)

Church on the Rock is in the midst of some changes & decisions that will make a major difference in the ministry of the church. They are also in the process of obtaining charity status with the government. Pray for wisdom, courage, favour with the community as they seek spiritual direction for the future. (josh@churchontherockglobal.com)

All Nations Community Church needs new leaders to step up. Kelly and Jeanne Manire are wrapping up their ministry there and are very busy right now – pray that they walk closely with Jesus. (kellymanire@gmail.com)

Pray for God’s provision and sustaining grace for workers at our largest campus: Rich Carruthers is making steady recovery from heart surgery and Suzanne Perry is recovery from surgery as well, plus grieving 2 deaths in her immediate family. We need many more workers for international students. (rcarruth@interchange.ubc.ca , ephesians178@yahoo.com)

Gateway Filipino Baptist - pray for God’s blessing on the pastor’s family, including his 2 talented teens. (The 13-year-old recently preached on "Youth Sunday"!) Three different ethnic churches that meet in one building are having a combined worship service this Sunday – pray for a sweet time of fellowship. (nathaniellonginos@yahoo.com)

Pray for encouragement and strength for Victor and Candice Thomas, from The Point Church. (victor.frank.thomas@gmail.com)