"Prayer strikes the winning blow. Service is simply picking up the pieces." - S.D. Gordon
FROM THE DESK OF: the Director of Strategic Partnerships
Many thanks to the wonderful people of First Baptist North Spartanburg (@FirstNorth)! What a great weekend we had together at the 2014 Global Impact Celebration, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, September 4-7—including the Senior Adult Luncheon, several worship services, the Ladies Brunch, the International Student Dinner, the Fall Fun Festival, and many conversations in between! Missionaries don’t deserve pedestals, but First North hosted 35 missionaries with tremendous love and care, arranging every little detail of our visit. What a blessing!
Since 1998, God has used this special congregation to send several long-term workers overseas and raise up several small groups offering committed support of Uttermost Sports. First North is a beautiful example of partnerships that increase the reach of our missions work— whether those partners are churches, sending organizations, or Christian sports ministries. We love any and all chances to update our partners face to face, and we are eager begin new conversations so that in 20 years we can gratefully reflect on all God continues to do through these strategic partnerships.
For the Win[dow],
Annie Fox, DOSP
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Psalm 145:17-19
"The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them."
photo credit: onhabitat.com
COUNTRY OF THE WEEK: INDIA
With a population of nearly 1.3 billion people, the nation of India is too large to ignore. Though there are 59 million Christians in India, the Hindu majority and strict anti-Christian laws make it difficult for churches and believers to meet regularly and spread the Good News. According to World Watch List, "Pastors are frequently beaten up or killed, church buildings destroyed, and converts forced to flee their homes. Despite this, the church is growing, particularly among the lower castes." Pray for Indian Christians to be strengthened and for more workers to be sent to the country's 1 billion unreached peoples (in more than 2,000 unreached groups).
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- PRAISE: we have a potential lead for someone to help our worker in North Africa who seeks help with a business plan!
- with just two weeks until our local event, we have many details to finalize and arrange, but PRAISE: God is bringing the people we need for the event!
- workers in Central Asia are beginning their American football season, so pray for conversations and divine appointments in the next few months