Monday, July 31, 2017

From @chinaaid : "Lawyer’s wife plans to regain justice for her husband and family "

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.

ChinaAid Photo
Lawyer’s wife plans to regain justice for her husband and family
Distributed by ChinaAid, June, 2017 ...

CHANGSHA, HUNAN, CHINA – The wife of a tortured human rights lawyer detailed plans to sue the Chinese government and others involved in the persecution of her family in a letter to her husband on Tuesday ...

more on this story from China Aid



In the News ... "Can the redeemed fall from Heaven?"

OA File Photo
• Ministers refer to Bible, ancient literature to address the question

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - Considering God’s imprisonment of fallen angels as described in Jude 1:6 and 2nd Peter 2:4, you might wonder if a human soul, transported to Heaven by virtue of his or her obedience on earth, could rebel and suffer the same fate.

The Revs. Jimmy Braswell, Tim King, Greg Morris and Michael Sis all say the question is thought-provoking ...

read the rest of this OA report ...

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.


Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 31, 2017

REV. PETER TIBI IN SOUTH SUDAN - In one of the most dangerous places in the world, the Rev. Peter Tibi stands between the government of South Sudan and rebel factions with only his clerical collar and his faith for protection ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

"Stuff the Bus" school supply drive wraps-up THIS week at at FPC-Midland


The annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive is going on now through August 6 at First Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Texas Avenue, Midland, Texas.

Be a part of this year's drive benefiting Casa de Amigos. Help FPC-Midland "Stuff the Bus" by filling a backpack and dropping off in the Library. Below is a list of school supplies needed. Or you can get a copy of the list to take to the store with you HERE.

Boxes of Kleenex                          Crayons
Bottle of Hand Sanitizer                Colored Pencils
Composition Notebooks                Pencil-Top Erasers
Glue (Bottles and/or Sticks)          Scissors
3" x 5" Index Cards                       No. 2 Pencils
Folders with Pockets and Brads   Binders (1", 1.5", 2")
Pink Erasers                                 Watercolors
Highlighters                                  Plastic Pencil Boxes
Wide-Ruled Spiral Notebooks      Pens (Black, Blue and Red)
Wide-Ruled Notebook Paper       Pencil Bags
Dividers                                        Markers
Plastic Rulers

Equal Exchange Blog ... "Cooperation Among Co-ops"

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.


Cooperation Among Co-ops

Cooperation among cooperatives is the sixth international cooperative principle. Few organizations can lay a stronger claim to putting it into action than Equal Exchange. Since our founding 31 years ago, our very mission, organizational model, and business practices are lived out in adherence to this core value ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

Equal Exchange Photo

In the News ... "Free haircuts in Odessa Monday evening for those in need"

KWES Photo
• Also snacks, drinks for homeless, those in need

By Gerald Tracy, Multimedia Journalist
KWES-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - Barbers of Odessa and Midland are pairing up Monday to give haircuts to those in need.

The stylists and barbers plan to meet at the Dan Hemphill Central Park on 13th and Milburn Street in Odessa starting at 5 Monday evening. They will be there until 8 that night and for those wondering, there will be snacks and drinks provided.

These haircuts are for homeless and those in need.

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.


Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 30, 2017

NEW HUNGER ACTION CONGREGATION - For nearly 50 years, the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) has worked with Presbyterians and global partners toward the common goal of ending hunger and poverty. Now PHP is recognizing congregations involved in hunger work through a covenant called Hunger Action Congregations.

PHP wants to hear from congregations that are doing at least one of the following six activities ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Reports from Iraq and Uganda TOMORROW in Midland

• Members of FPC-Midland congregation share stories of overseas mission

A pair of overseas mission reports are scehduled for this Sunday - TOMORROW - at First Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Texas Avenue, Midland, Texas.

Report from Iraq


Jeff and Robin Darr traveled to Iraq in June to share God's love with internally displaced people due to the devastating conflict with ISIS. They worked with Partners Relief and Development to provide food, water, and hope to families and children facing terrible situations. The Darrs will share their stories in worship according to this schedule: Sunday July 30-8:30 service in the Sanctuary, 9:30 service in the Bridge.

Report from Uganda


Please join the Compass Class on Sunday, July 30, at 9:30 a.m. in the Koinonia Room to hear Dr. Greg Bartha report on the ministry in Uganda. The Cross Hospital in Uganda has experienced incredible growth in the last several months and Greg will be sharing stories about what God is doing there.

In the News ... “Family to sell possessions to fund mission trip"

MRT Photo by Tono Balaguer
• Beginning stages of creating a nonprofit, Give.Live.Love.

Rich Lopez, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Midlanders Eric and Holly Aspeitia will open their home on Sunday to people in order to sell as much as of their belongings they can. Furniture, electronics, exercise equipment and tools are among the big items people can purchase to help the Aspeitias and their five children fund a trip to Israel for the biblical feast of Succoth.

But this isn’t a typical estate sale ...

 • read the rest of this MRT report

In the News ... "Donations to help local church severely damaged by storm"

CUTB Photo
• Church Under The Bridge leading effort for Amistad Cristiana Church

Sonia Flores, Reporter
KOSA-TV


MIDLAND, TEXAS - Church Under the Bridge is asking for donations to repair and rebuild Amistad Cristiana Church which was severely damaged during the last major storm.

According to a Facebook post by Church Under The Bridge, Amistad Cristiana Church is in need of immediate inside repairs as well as a new roof ...

read the rest of this KOSA report 


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.


Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 29, 2017

CANDIDATE FOR MINISTRY AMD HER GUIDE DOGS - When Deb Trevino recently stood in the pulpit at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church, she wasn’t alone. Her guide dog Suzy was with her — settling in to listen as Trevino spoke on what she has learned from her guide dogs about trusting God ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, July 28, 2017

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Waiting Patiently for a Breakthrough"

Founded in 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Headquartered in Irvine, California, FWM works around the world in partnership with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations, sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, providing not only the gift of mobility, but of dignity, independence, and hope.

FWM Photo
Friday Story: "Waiting Patiently for a Breakthrough"

One of the highlights of our recent gala, Miracle of Mobility, was meeting three wheelchair recipients who came from Vietnam, Jamaica, and El Salvador as our special guests. While they were invited primarily to speak at our annual event in California, they also traveled to meet with supporters and have a bit of fun, too ...

read the rest of this story ...

In the News ... "New pastor frequent Israel visitor"

OA Photo by Mark Sterkel
• The Rev. Salzwedel leads First UMC following the Rev. Tamplen’s retirement

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - The First United Methodist Church has a new pastor, the Rev. Todd Salzwedel, who will emphasize the importance of building relationships in the furtherance of building up his church.

Succeeding the Rev. Terry Tamplen, who has retired to his hometown of Crowell in the southeastern Panhandle after serving 14 years, the Rev. Salzwedel comes to Odessa from St. Stephens UMC in Albuquerque, N.M., where he was the senior pastor for six years. “Relationships are so important,” he said ...

read the rest of this OA report ...

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.


Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 28, 2017

CHURCH OF BANGLADESH - The Most Rev. Paul S. Sarker, moderator of the Church of Bangladesh and bishop of the Diocese of Dhaka, recently visited the Presbyterian Center to celebrate the first 25 years of formal partnership between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Church of Bangladesh (CoB). The visit also provided an opportunity to discern God’s direction for the future of the partnership ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Teichert Family Update ... “Stopping to Breathe the Air of Eternity”

The family of Karl and Jenny Teichert are serving the Lord as missionaries with OC Africa, in South Africa. They moved to Johannesburg in November, 1997 with their four children; Ann, Scott, Stephen and John. Karl serves as the Southern Africa Director of the Southern Africa Regional Team. Their vision is to see a healthy, Bible-based church established in every unreached village and community in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and beyond. Their strategy is to partner with key African church leaders to research, train, and mobilize the body of Christ to complete the Great Commission. They are striving to equip local leaders in Southern Africa to reach their nations for Christ and send missionaries into other countries as well.


“Stopping to Breathe the Air of Eternity”

Dear Family and Friends,

This is the chapter title of a book I’ve been reading, as well as the name of the course I’ve been facilitating with six ladies from our local church. The book is called “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Peter Scazzero. This is the third time I have gone through it, and each time it has impacted my life in a fresh way. The picture on the front of the book is a picture of an iceberg, which symbolizes how in our lives we only see the tip, while the layers of our emotional lives are buried beneath the surface. When we combine emotional health with slowed-down, contemplative spirituality, God can transform our lives in the deep places.

The chapter I am reading now is called “Discover the Rhythms of Daily Office and Sabbath.” It is very timely because after 19 years of ministry here in South Africa, Karl and I plan to take a four-month sabbatical. At first I was concerned about taking this time away from “work.” But as I have learned more about the purpose of biblical sabbatical, I have more peace and we are both excited for this amazing opportunity. We have been preparing for some time now to take a sabbatical after our kids left home, and the time has come!

“Eugene Peterson points out that even though the Sabbath has been one of the most abused and distorted practices of the Chrisô€†Ÿ an life, we cannot do without it. ‘Sabbath is not primarily about us or how it benefi ts us; it is about God and how God forms us … I don’t see any way out of it: if we are going to live appropriately in creation, we must keep the Sabbath.’”

“God knew that if Israel were to be true to her calling and purpose, they would need more than weekly Sabbaths. They would need longer stretches of rime to stop, to rest, to delight in, and to contemplate Him. For this reason, God built into their national economic and political life entire Sabbatical years. God commanded all Israel to give the land a “Sabbath of rest” one year in every seven … these longer sabbaticals too are a part of the rope God grants us to survive the blizzards of life.”

So that is our hope for this time, and we appreciate your prayers for us as we take this sabbatical:

   For rest
   To listen to the Lord as he leads and teaches us what we need to learn
   For areas of growth, individually as well as in our marriage and family
   For refocus and reorientation of the next season and our calling and purpose
   To trust Him to provide while we are away
   For our teammates who will be filling in for us

Thanks for standing with us!

Karl and Jenny



OC Africa is an interdenominational ministry committed to developing, equipping, and mobilizing church leaders to multiply healthy, Bible-based churches in every community in Southern Africa and the world. OC is a faith-based mission who depends on the Lord to provide committed, financial supporters and partners. The contributions from these individuals help generate ministry opportunities around the world, impact missionaries and their global work, and provide a means for the International Mobilization Center to function. CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can be a part of mobilizing church leaders around the world by donating to OC.

In the News ... "Stonegate church is having their soft opening this Sunday"

KMID Photo
• After two long years of renovating their doors are finally opening

Kaile Hunt, Reporter
KMID-TV


ODESSA, TEXAS - The volunteers at Stonegate Church are working long hours to make their first debut great. They are wrapping up construction for their soft opening this Sunday.

Two years ago the Old Graham Station sold their building to Stonegate church. And after two long years of painting, reconstructing, and remodeling Stonegate fellowship in Odessa is ready for their soft opening this Sunday ...

read/watch the rest of this KMID report


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.


Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 27, 2017

SCHOOL CHAPLAIN - When I retired from teaching in an inner-city high school in Fresno, California, I thought I was done with the local school district.

Twenty-one years as a teacher was enough for me. My retirement plan was to move to San Francisco and get a job with a nonprofit. But I could not get a job. I returned to Fresno and was at loose ends. What did I want to do with the rest of my life? More importantly, what did God want me to do with the rest of my life? ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

WAW Wednesday ... "In the Zone"

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."


WAW Wednesday: "In the Zone"

Hey, Friends,

It was so good to be back in Belize this month, catching up with friends that I haven't seen since before my sabbatical…….almost a year.

It's also a great feeling when you know you are right where God wants you.

And when God causes things to work together for good ... Things beyond our control ... I do get a kick out of that!

I had a team in Belize that wanted to visit with Dr. Beatriz Thompson about the hospice ministry. We set up a time to meet and Beatriz mentioned that the Belize City Hospital was asking her to help with grief counseling.

So many deaths had happened over the past couple of weeks - including young teenagers. Nurses were having difficulty dealing with it. Literally weeping while they worked.

Beatriz asked if I had any pastors on the team who were experienced with grief counseling. Wouldn't you know it….. the day of her request…... one of the team members that JUST flew in "happened" to have experience for this need, in this exact setting. He too was blown away by the “coincidence”, having worked for years in a hospital setting doing grief counseling with nurses and doctors. So he was an answer to their prayer as we instantly put it together.

Also during this last trip, I got to worship with the folks at First Stone Church in Western Paradise. We were short on chairs, so we had to quickly make pews for the back rows out of long planks and cinder blocks.

Pastor Phillipa had been pricing chairs, but she said they were too expensive. I asked how many she needed. Between the two churches she works with she could use 100. I just got the word that 200 chairs we're donated to our partner church in Paoli Pennsylvania ... Where they were ALREADY in the process of loading a shipping container headed our way in three weeks!!!



We've set the dates for our 2017 Christmas Project - December 9-16 - is God calling you to join us?

For this week, I pray that you be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding and that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord pleasing him in all respects, Bearing fruit in every good work, And increasing in the knowledge of God. Col 1:9-10

Thanks, friends,
Tim Tam
#wearethewordatwork




EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience - working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize - won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!


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.


Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 26, 2017

PRESBYTERIAN INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKER RPOGRAM - Although she never planned it as her life’s vocation, Alla Soroka has been actively working with at-risk children since 2005. She found her passion, and her trust in God, working with teenage prisoners, children and orphans living in the streets of her native Odessa, Ukraine. She will be sharing some of her experiences this fall (Sept. 22–Oct. 16) at Presbyterian churches, universities and theological institutions in the United States as a 2017 International Peacemaker. ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Partners Blog: "Who is our neighbor?"

EDITOR'S NOTE: Jeff and Robin Darr traveled to Iraq in June to share God's love with internally displaced people due to the devastating conflict with ISIS. They worked with Partners Relief and Development to provide food, water, and hope to families and children facing terrible situations. The Darrs will share their stories this Sunday in Midland, Texas. More information ...


Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief and Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma, and now in the Middle East, as well. Their mission is to demonstrate, through holistic action, God’s love to children and communities made vulnerable by war in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other conflict zones.

Partners Photo
Who is our neighbor?

Recently Jeff and Robin spent time as part of a relief team helping children and families that up until now had been living under ISIS control. Here are some quick impressions from their trip ...

read the rest of this post ... 


Partners Relief and Development is a registered charity in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. "We’re a small, grassroots nonprofit passionate about making a big impact in communities affected by conflict and oppression, demonstrating God’s love to children and giving them the opportunity to live free, full lives." For more information aboput Partners, visit their website at partners.ngo/

In the News ... "Backpack Giveaway set for July 29 at La Promesa Apartments"


• Helping families prepare for back-to-school

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - The Church On The Streets has scheduled a Backpack Giveaway event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 29 at La Promesa Apartments, 4590 N. Texas Avenue ...

read the rest of this OA report ...

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.


Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 25, 2017

"STITICH" SEWING LESSONS FOR REFUGEE WOMEN - Peals of laughter and lively chatter mingled with the whirring and humming of busy sewing machines in the small, makeshift classroom that STITCH volunteers and students now call their temporary home.

STITCH — an acronym for Sewing Together in the Caring Highlands — is a mission of Highland Presbyterian Church in partnership with the Louisville-based Kentucky Refugee Ministries. The 6-year-old ministry provides sewing lessons for refugee women while offering them opportunities to learn English and practice it at the same time ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, July 24, 2017

From @chinaaid : "Officials insist church pay 7 million yuan fine despite inconclusive hearing"

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.

ChinaAid Photo
Officials insist church pay 7 million yuan fine despite inconclusive hearing
Distributed by ChinaAid, June, 2017 ...

GUIYANG, GIZHOU, CHINA – Following an inconclusive hearing, officials in China’s southern Guizhou province issued a notice to two church pastors re-stating that they must pay an exorbitant fine ...

more on this story from China Aid



Reports from Iraq and Uganda this Sunday in Midland

• Members of FPC-Midland congregation share stories of overseas mission

A pair of overseas mission reports are scehduled for this Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Texas Avenue, Midland, Texas.

Report from Iraq


Jeff and Robin Darr traveled to Iraq in June to share God's love with internally displaced people due to the devastating conflict with ISIS. They worked with Partners Relief and Development to provide food, water, and hope to families and children facing terrible situations. The Darrs will share their stories in worship according to this schedule: Sunday July 30-8:30 service in the Sanctuary, 9:30 service in the Bridge.

Report from Uganda


Please join the Compass Class on Sunday, July 30, at 9:30 a.m. in the Koinonia Room to hear Dr. Greg Bartha report on the ministry in Uganda. The Cross Hospital in Uganda has experienced incredible growth in the last several months and Greg will be sharing stories about what God is doing there.

In the News ... "Midland churches partner up to feed the homeless community"

KOSA Photo
Outreach activities every Saturday

Sonia Flores, Reporter
KOSA-TV


MIDLAND, TEXAS - On Saturday, Church Under the Bridge partnered up with The Gathering Church in an outreach to feed the homeless community.

The outreach took place at a basketball court in Midland one block South of the Salvation Army ...

read the rest of this KOSA report 


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.


Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 24, 2017

MAKING CHURCH CAMPUSES MORE ACCESSIBLE - Congregations wishing to make their facilities more accessible and inclusive of people living with disabilities have a new option for funding enhancements to their campuses: the Accessibility Loan from the Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program (PILP) ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Equal Exchange Blog ... "Nesting Dolls: JAB Holdings Buys Panera"

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.


Nesting Dolls: JAB Holdings Buys Panera

At the beginning of April, the world’s largest coffee conglomerate, JAB Holdings, bought Panera Bread and its 2,000 cafés across the U.S. You may not know JAB by name, but the Luxembourg-based holding company has been the biggest player in the industry since 2015. It already owns majority stakes in Caribou Coffee Company, Keurig Green Mountain, and Peet’s Coffee and Tea. Peet’s, in turn, owns the smaller high-end coffee chains Intelligentsia and Stumptown.

This nesting dolls effect – a brand being swallowed up by bigger and bigger companies, distorting what was once familiar – isn’t just a trend in coffee ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

Equal Exchange Photo