“We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.” — Oswald Chambers
FROM THE DESK OF: the Director of Communications
So begins month two of our weekly office blog!
As fall gets into full swing, our staff continues to move forward at full speed: hiring a new Director of Development, planning an awareness event, sending out many mailers, and seeking God's heart for this work He has called us to. My work week looks different from day to day, blending independent tasks with many collaborative projects -- but my lens for all of it is communication. My sincere hope, as the Director of Communications, is that Uttermost Sports shares a steady stream of information and inspiration with people like you: people who pray, give, go, and advocate for sports missions.
We believe God is a strong, eternal God, pursuing to the 'uttermost' a multitude of people from every tribe and nation. Our call is also to the 'uttermost,' to hard-to-reach and difficult-to-stay places. Sports is our passion but Jesus is our calling, and my job with Uttermost Sports is to communicate our vision, mission, and calling in the hopes that God can use every Tweet, Facebook post, newsletter, and mailing to further His Kingdom. He alone is able!
For the Win[dow],
Erin Meek, DOC
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Psalm 130
“Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. He Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.”
The Blue Mosque, Istanbul Turkey (photo credit: aegee.org)
COUNTRY OF THE WEEK: TURKEY
The Republic of Turkey, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is a country of nearly 77 million people, the majority of whom are Turkish Muslims. A sizable Kurdish population (~15%) also calls Turkey home. Turkey shares borders with 8 countries, including Syria and Iraq, which means it is on high-alert due to the developing ISIS crisis. Throughout the country, ancient Ottoman history intertwines with modern culture and economy; as of 2013, Turkey boasts the world's 15th largest GSP, attracting businesspeople and tourists to its many metropolitan areas, mountains, and beaches. According to the Joshua Project, there are more than 40 unreached people groups in Turkey, and a very small Christian population (0.3%) means that there are 75 million Turkish people who have not yet met Jesus. Pray for the Good News to go forth in Turkey, for people to have dreams and visions about Jesus, and for persecuted believers to continue loving their friends and neighbors.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
our President is making many important connections with like-minded partners, potential workers, and important sports people; pray for these relationships!
a few candidates have been interviewed for our Director of Development position; pray for God to provide the right person for the job
we are hosting an awareness event on Wednesday, October 29, and will be promoting the event with local churches; pray for many people to attend and hear about what God is doing in the 10/40 Window
pray for workers in Turkey, specifically those who are there doing sports work, to develop genuine friendships and have opportunities to talk about the Good News