In the News ... "'Awake My Soul' theme for this year's Rock the Desert festival"

Miriam Shayeb,
Special to the Odessa American

MIDLAND-ODESSA, TEXAS -The Permian Basin’s largest Christian music festival will return again for its 14th year Aug. 1-3, bringing concert-goers inspiring messages of faith and hope through music.

The administrative and volunteer team of Rock The Desert (RTD) said that their mission statement is “to reach today’s generation through contemporary Christian music and recreation so that they may hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ.”

 • read the rest of this story 

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 31, 2013

TAIWAN (continued) - The Taiwanese calendar has a different rhythm. Christians pause briefly for Christmas—a time of worship and prayer that is important—but the true change of pace comes with the Lunar New Year, which is usually in February. Workers who haven’t returned to hometowns can do so. Schools shut down. The streets can be, amazingly, empty. This year our family joined fellow mission co-worker John McCall, several General Assembly staff, and the retired general secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan for the New Year’s meal. At times the meal feels almost sacramental. It is a time for family and friends to reconnect and to reach out to old schoolmates. It’s a time when the prodigal sons come home and people share together in eating family favorites and special dishes.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

The Power of Prayer

"But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. The Spirit does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. The Spirit knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God."          Romans 8:25-27, The Message

The Power of Prayer
by Eugene H. Peterson

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

I find the words of this passage from Eugene Peterson's book The Message to be incredibly comforting and reassuring. So often I am overwhelmed by the scope and magnitude of pain the children in our world endure. And in those times, I give God thanks the Holy Spirit is there, praying in and for me when my words are lost in the haze of grief. Thanks be to God.

This coming Wednesday, July 31, 2013, the Faces of Children prayer group will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, with lunch ($5) and fellowship to follow.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

Giving thanks for this life and this love,

Chris

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 30, 2013

TAIWAN - In 1999 the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan asked me to plant a college ministry in Hualien. The Hualien Aboriginal Campus Ministry (HACM) began at Tzu Chi Buddhist Technical College with three students. I met them at a print shop while copying English-language gospel songs. One of the students asked me to teach the songs I was copying, so I invited her and her friends to come to our mission center near their school. The following week they came to learn. We met for many weeks as I taught them the songs and explained the lyrics. When they asked me why I was willing to take the time to teach them, I told them the story of God’s love through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I shared the grace and love with them.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 29, 2013

PHILIPPINES (continued) - In November 2011, about 20 Filipino pastors and lay and youth leaders of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) spent a day with garbage pickers/recyclers at the Smokey Mountain II Garbage Dump in Manila.

We learned about the dismal present-day reality of daily survival by picking through and recycling trash. Many earn less than $2.50 for 12 hours of intensive labor. Several youth shared about being taunted at school as smelling like garbage (whether they do or not), and others raised concern that many children are not in school. No one has running water, and the informal electricity network does not connect to most of the shanty homes.

CLICK HERE to read more.

An addition to our "Friends In Mission" list ...

We're making a couple of additions to our "Friends In Mission" list. One of those is Grace Refuge Outreach Worldwide (or GROW), which may be a relatively new friend in mission, but features a longtime friend of West Texas.

G.R.O.W. started in the fall of 2009 with a vision to come alongside two extraordinary women who had taken in at-risk children in Thailand with no means of support or ideas of how to make it happen — other than to pray and trust in God to provide. On a trip to Thailand, Pastor Ivanildo Trindade met Sumitra “Faa” Choemue, and she shared her passion for children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse in Thailand. Later, Faa came to the U.S. and a board of directors who also shared Faa’s passion was assembled. In October of 2009 GROW was formed!

GROW's mission is to rescue at risk children and youth who are targets of the sex trade industry, by supporting, educating, and providing them with a safe place to live, grow, and learn about Christ.

I first met Faa in early 2008, when I was part of the first Thailand mission team from 1st Presbyterian Church of Midland. She was on the staff of the Garden of Hope ministry in Chiang Mai, a major city in northern Thailand, with whom we had been partnering to establish a drop-in center for at-risk children in that city's 'red light' district.

"Sumitra 'Faa' Choemue was born into a destitute family of twelve children in the mountains of northern Thailand. Five of her siblings died before Faa was even born. Faa is from the Akha tribe and like many other minorities in Thailand, she belongs to a class that is despised and rejected by the majority population. Humanly speaking, Faa was destined to a life of crawling, craving and crying with no possibility of redemption."
• CLICK HERE to read the rest of Faa's story

On more than one occasion, Faa has been our guest here, in Midland, in the course of her visits to mission partners across the United States, raising awareness, prayers and funds for her work in Thailand. I am told she may be visiting us once again later this year ... maybe in October ... I'll keep you posted as more details come in.

In the meantime, please keep Faa - and everyone at GROW - in your prayers!

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 28, 2013

MINUTE FOR MISSION: METROPOLITAN/URBAN MINISTRY - In 2011 each San Francisco PC(USA) congregation sent two representatives, ruling elders, or pastors to explore “Urban Ministry: What Will Be Our Legacy?” How do we together create a lasting presence in the city? Centered in worship and using the conversation model of World Café, we spent time getting to know one another.

 

We examined, reflected on, and shared our understanding of leadership, the dynamics of our context, the challenges of our ministries, and how we imagine our legacy. We discovered that collectively we had more to offer each other than we realized.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 27, 2013

PHILIPPINES - For years I have been teaching seminary students about the nature of the church. It stirs confidence in me when I see that our study comes alive in the sanctuary. I teach my students that church ministry has had the same structure from the very beginning of Christianity. In fact, when we are weak in one element of ministry, we are weak in our entire ministry. My father, who was a minister for more than 40 years, taught me this, and I pass this wisdom on to my students. I teach that this structure can be seen in the administration of the following: didache (teaching), koinonia (fellowship), kerygma (message), diakonia (service), marturia (prophetic sharing), and leitourgia (worship and prayer). Every church structures its ministry to make sure that we teach, have fellowship, share the message of Christ, serve others, be prophetic, worship, and pray in Christ’s name.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 26, 2013

JAPAN (continued) - In 1976 Dr. Hiromi Kawahara, a Christian, visited a hospital in Nepal for three months. During that time, he performed more than 360 operations. One day, when a patient was leaving the hospital, Dr. Kawahara asked a nurse to tell the patient to return in two weeks so his wound could be checked. The nurse replied, “He can’t, doctor. He has to walk more than a week just to get home.” Hearing that, Dr. Kawahara had an epiphany.

When Dr. Kawahara returned to Japan, he asked himself: “What is the best thing I can do for people with no access to health care? I can go back and do more operations. But is that the best thing for them?”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 24, 2013

JAPAN (continued) - Communities in northeastern Japan continue the physical, spiritual, and emotional recovery from the devastation triggered by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and ensuing tsunami that swallowed towns and communities. These two natural disasters resulted in a third, man-made catastrophe—a damaged nuclear power plant nestled on the coastline of the agricultural and fishing region in Fukushima. The fallout has contaminated surrounding communities, rivers, and farms in an 80-kilometer radius.

National and governmental agencies were criticized for being slow to respond cohesively to the myriad disasters, and traumatized survivors report that the bureaucratic process is too complicated. Small nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, including church partners in Japan, have filled this gap and provided a safety net through their quick and meaningful responses.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 14, 2013

JAPAN - In Japan, rather than asking, “How many loaves have you?” we might wonder how many rice balls are available. When Yodogawa Christian Hospital was first opened in a disadvantaged district of postwar Osaka in 1955, questions about rice would have been relevant, as the people there needed support in various ways. Women of the Presbyterian Church in the United States helped answer this need through generous giving to hospital funding. Since then the local community has come together to support their hospital, which is widely known and sought out for its services in “whole-person healing—body, mind, and spirit.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Word from Uganda: "What is the greatest commandment?"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

What is the greatest commandment?

In the village, education sometimes comes secondary. Though the country offers free education, the stresses of the cost of school uniform, shoes, and even school supplies can be too much for a family to allow all their children to go to school.

 • CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 23, 2013

KOREA (North) - As of this writing, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) is in the news often, as the speculation on the future of the country after the death of Kim Jong Il continues. Whether his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, can consolidate power in a orderly manner is a great concern to all who work to bring hope for abundant life to God’s children in North Korea. The PC(USA) continues to support Christian churches, education, and children’s nutrition programs. Given the difficult political and bureaucratic challenges, we partner with many organizations and individuals to demonstrate Christ’s love.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 22, 2013

SOUTH KOREA (continued) - On September 20, 1884, Dr. Horace Allen came to Korea from his mission assignment in China, responding to the need for missionaries in the “Land of Morning Calm.” Rev. H. G. Underwood came in April 1885 as the first missionary sent by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. to Korea. Since then many generations of Presbyterian missionaries have served in Korea, and God has worked miracles in this land.

The Korean church grew at a phenomenal rate, struggled with the people for democracy, worked for peaceful unification of the two Koreas, and led the development of health and educational systems. The PC(USA) accompanied the Koreans every step of the way. .

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 21, 2013

MINUTE FOR MISSION: SMALL MEMBERSHIP CHURCHES - For most of us, our journeys of faith involve crisis. At the time I write this, the congregation I serve, Brighton Presbyterian Church in Zanesville, Ohio, is journeying through crisis. Like the many other small congregations preparing for life without a full-time pastor, we are renegotiating what it means to be the body of Christ in our neighborhood. In this new configuration, how do we create disciples? How do we study and worship together? How do we carry out our mission and ministry? Our comfortable faith is being challenged.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 20, 2013

KOREA (South) - One of the three major programs of the National Church Women’s Association (NCWA) of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has encouraged us to mission movement. NCWA seeks to share its blessings with other Asian women just as the Durebang Center in Korea, also supported by the United Church of Christ in the U.S., has blessed them. The Durebang Center (My Sister’s Place) helps prostitutes, former prostitutes, and women living with U.S. soldiers to find new hope, self-respect, and a new sense of life, by spreading and living the gospel through charity and humanity..

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 19, 2013

HONG KONG - Over 30 years ago, the Hong Kong Christian Council started one of the city’s first charities concerned about the poor and needy overseas. Taking its name from the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, the Five Loaves and Two Fish Project works tirelessly to improve the lives of thousands in developing countries and in mainland China.

The reunification of Hong Kong with its motherland in 1997 has provided many opportunities to contribute to the nation’s development and progress. Among the most successful programs are Project Torch, which has helped over 700 impoverished but talented young Chinese students finish their university education, and the Rebuilding Collapsing Schools Project, which has helped rebuild over 500 dilapidated primary schools and dormitories in the mountainous regions of China.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 18, 2013

CHINA - Though the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary (NJUTS) now has a beautiful new campus, opened in 2009, its history began many years before. It was established by several Presbyterian bodies in 1904, and it became a nondenominational institution in 1911. With the Communist Revolution, the seminary was reorganized in 1951 and all foreign relationships were severed. It later closed in 1966 as part of the Cultural Revolution and was not reopened until 1979. At that time it became the only national seminary in China, a status it still retains.

CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Rock The Desert expecting big turnout, raising permanent stage"

Staff Report,
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND-ODESSA, TEXAS - A group of West Texans joined together for one thing; our community.

A public prayer circle was held Sunday at the Rock The Desert concert site.

A group of parents, church leaders and members of the Midland-Odessa community have been meeting for the past few months for an awakening.

 • read the rest of this story 

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 17, 2013

MALAYSIA - The Presbyterian Church of Malaysia (GPM) has about 7,000 members and offers worship in five languages. Members gather in 33 different locations spread throughout the peninsula. GPM churches are ideally situated to reach out to their non-Christian neighbors. Although there is no centralized mission office, GPM churches are well known for their missional focus. Furthermore, they do not work alone. By networking with the Malaysia Center for Global Mission and other mission agencies, GPM churches gave over 2 million Malaysian ringgit to mission outreach.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Word from Uganda: "Things that make me smile"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...


Things that make me smile

 • CLICK HERE to view the rest of Natalie's post

In the News ... "New Shelter For Women And Children Set To Open In Midland"

By Jenne Anderson, Reporter
KMID-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - I was drug addicted since I was 13 years old," said Cupp-Lewis. "Drugs and alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, pretty much anything."

Lewis says she went to 13 rehab centers to try and overcome her addiction, but it wasn't until she enrolled in the Genesis Program in Kaufman Texas that she noticed a difference.

"I couldn't change my life," explained Cupp-Lewis, "I just kept falling back into the same pattern. For me going to the Genesis Center was a life changing event."

Now more women in the Basin will get that same opportunity, now that the Genesis Center is planning to turn the old Trinity Presbyterian Church into a free shelter for women and children.
 • read/watch the rest of this story

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 16, 2013

INDONESIA (continued) - The Javanese village of Ngrajek is 13 miles from one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mount Merapi, which in 2010 began its biggest eruption since the 1870s. On October 24, a flow of cold lava took away many of the Ngrajek villagers’ homes.

The increasing number of disasters and the global economic crisis have made funds for aid hard to come by, especially for a village like Ngrajek, located far from the volcano. Seeing few other options, the villagers formed their own response team. Bang Med, the team leader, said that the government offered the villagers a place in makeshift barracks, but on seeing their conditions, Mr. Med said: “We are serving survivors who have already suffered. Why make them suffer more?”

CLICK HERE to read more.

ChinaAid: "Six Churches United to Defend Their Rights"

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Six Churches United to Defend Their Rights

Distributed by ChinaAid, June, 2013 ...

KAIFENG CITY, CHINA – On the morning of June 13, 2013, Kaifeng Christian Church called together 700 pastors and coworkers represented from six different churches. They convened on the north side of the Kaifeng Yellow River Water Conservancy Technical Institute near the construction site of Fuxing Avenue. There, they organized a protest to stop the local authorities’ occupation of their land. According to Kaifeng Christian Church, a state-owned forestry farm has occupied their 200,000 square meters land since forty some years ago. A state-operated Technical Institute has been occupying a portion of this land for 10 years, and still, a portion of their land has been sliced off for municipal road construction use. Kaifeng Church’s demonstration is intended to draw the government’s attention to the crimes committed by the local authorities and call for the return of the occupied land.

• more on this story from China Aid

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Listen to the Message

""Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus."

"Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything."          1 Peter 4:6-8, The Message

The Power of Prayer
by Eugene H. Peterson

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

I hope you will be able to join us as we pray for children at the Midland Faces of Children prayer meeting on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, with lunch ($5) and fellowship to follow.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

Giving thanks for this life and this love,

Chris

In the News ... "Rock The Desert expecting big turnout, raising permanent stage"

By Matt Rist, Reporter
KOSA-TV

MIDLAND-ODESSA, TEXAS - Off a dusty road on 1788 between midland and Odessa, Rock The Desert has done just that with Christian bands and family fun.

“It’s family friendly, Kids can come, hear good music and the gospel message of Jesus Christ,” said Co-Chair of the Rock The Desert Ministries Board Marcy Tull.

The $25 event is expected to be larger than ever, with Grammy-nominated bands, a new skateboard pipe and a $1,000 prize skateboarding contest.

"Our headliners this year are Third Day, Fly Leaf, LeCrea and other great artists,” Tull said.

 • read the rest of this story 

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 15, 2013

INDONESIA - Indonesia has the largest Muslim population of any country. It also includes more than 25 million Christians as well as many Hindus, Buddhists, Confucianists, and indigenous religions. The first principle of its Constitution is “The Great Unity of Deity.” All Indonesians are expected to believe that, whatever their religion or culture, they are all under one God.

For much of history, Indonesia’s religious communities lived in relative harmony. Decentralization of power, democratization, the removal of the military from government, and an economic crisis have led to many ethnic and religious conflicts around Indonesia. New freedoms have led to an upsurge in radical Islamicist activity and attacks on minority groups. The long history of religious peace seems threatened.

CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "New priest starts at Our Lady of Guadalupe"

MRT Photo by James Durbin

Ragini Venkatasubban, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Rev. David Herrera marked July 1 as his first day as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and Shrine, following the reassignment of former pastor, the Rev. Marek Stroba, OMI and former associate pastor, the Rev. Lawrence Mariasoosai, OMI to parishes in Mexico and Eagle Pass.

“Priests always have to get used to the fact that one day, we will move,” Herrera said. “We never call one place our home.”

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Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 14, 2013

MINUTE FOR MISSION: UNION PRESBYTERIAN SEMINARY - Recently, I was a guest on a radio show. A caller inquired, “Is there such a thing as a call, and have you experienced one?” I answered yes to both. In different ways, to different people, God issues calls to serve the world with the good news of God’s love expressed in Jesus of Nazareth. To the Colossians, the apostle writes of the “hope laid up for you in heaven,” which they had heard “in the word of the truth, the gospel” (1:5). God calls some to share this good news.

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Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 13, 2013

VIET NAM - Protestant Christians arrived in Vietnam in 1911, established churches, and initially experienced slow growth. By the time of the Fall of Saigon in April 1975, there were only an estimated 160,000 evangelical Christians in the nation. The victory of the Communist North over the South produced a dark decade (1975–1985) of terrible persecution against Christians, and much of this persecution continued at least for another two decades. During this time, however, the Protestant community thrived, experiencing revivals in the midst of adversity.

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In the News ... "Mission Fulfilled"

By Michelle Brownstone, Reporter
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - After about 10 years of struggling to find reliable wireless Internet service, Mission Dorado Baptist Church should be connected by the end of the month.

“(Several local Internet providers) contacted us and offered us gracious opportunities,” Mission Dorado Baptist Church Pastor Jared Wellman said in an email. “We are very grateful for all of their efforts … every company was willing to go the extra mile to help us get good service.” may have a direct line to God but the Internet is a different story.

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Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 12, 2013

THAILAND (continued) - It will be like a tsunami,” says Ajarn Thanom Pinta, director of the Office of Education Ministry of the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT), speaking of the flood of English that will immerse Thailand when ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) opens its borders to form a union in 2015. “We are not prepared for it, and we desperately need more English-speaking Christian volunteers to serve as English teachers.” I am tasked with finding these volunteers for the 26 Christian schools of the CCT. The need is critical.

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