Friday, May 31, 2019

From ServLife International ... "Global Gospel"

ServLife International is a movement defined by values of God’s kingdom, not programs built around human efforts and activities. The reign and rule of God should be made apparent to every person on the planet, despite their religion, race or socioeconomic status. We believe that issues of justice are inseparable from the good news that Jesus Christ came to proclaim. ServLife exists to take the gospel of Christ and the hope of a better, more just, world to the lives of people we touch. This happens through individual contributions of time, creativity, resources and dreams.



ServLife Photo
Global Gospel

Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, conquering sin and death, then left his final instructions for His followers, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. I will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” Matthew 28:19-20

I am grateful for ServLife supporters’ obedience and shared passion to make disciples of all nations and teach others the way of Jesus. I am reminded of Pastor Deepak Thapa, who lives near the top of a mountain in the Gorkha District in Nepal. He went through ServLife’s pastor training last year and now his church has already grown to 100 people! He is grateful for the training and claims that it helped him grow from a child-like understanding of God to an adult understanding about God and His word.

The gospel is spreading. People are being baptized and attending church for the first time. Families are growing small businesses. Children are attending school for the first time. All this work is possible because of your prayers and support.

May we continue to make disciples and spread the gospel and love of Jesus around the world.

Thank you,

Adam Nevins 
From Adam Nevins
Executive Director
ServLife International Inc.



Join Our Mission

ServLife International propels reconciliation and justice by building global community to plant churches, care for children and fight poverty. Compelled by the message, life and love of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for the spiritual, physical, social, and economic areas of life in northern India and Nepal.  Learn more about our latest news, featured stories, and how to get involved at servlife.org

Support a Pastor

Our church planters spread
the love of Christ in some of the most difficult
environments in the world.
Support Them ... 

Sponsor a Child

For only $30 per month you can help give a child food, education, care and, most importantly, hope.
Sponsor Now ... 

Fight Poverty

The HOPE Fund, our micro-finance program, provides start-up funds for a small business, paving a way out of poverty for families in need.
Learn More ...



ServLife International, Inc.
P.O. Box 20596
Indianapolis, IN 46220
USA


In the News ... "Summer Feeding Program"


• Kids will be provided with not only meals, but fun activities to fill the summer months

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank Summer Feeding Program will provide free meals for children age 18 and under Monday through Friday at the following locations in Odessa and in Midland ...

Read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "Giving the devil his due"

Courtesy Photo
• C.S. Lewis masterpiece on stage - TOMORROW - at Wagner Noël

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - This acclaimed and faithful stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ satiric masterpiece follows Screwtape, a senior tempter in Hell, as he schemes to capture the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth; and reveals spiritual warfare in vivid, humorous and powerful ways.

The show runs 90 minutes and is scheduled at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. ...

Read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "'Precious cargo': Soil honors Everett Grover, black man killed in Abilene in 1922"

Courtesy Photos
“There’s still a lot of work left to do”

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - The jar containing soil from the site where Grover C. Everett was murdered in Abilene in 1922 might as well have held his ashes for the sacred way it was treated by a group of McMurry University students who recently took the glass vessel to a museum in Alabama ...

... Taking the soil to the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, was part of a larger tour of civil rights sites that concluded a spring sociology course at McMurry taught by Robert Wallace ...

Read the rest of this ARN 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.

Photo Courtesy of iStock
Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 31, 2019

JINISHIAN MEMORIAL PROGRAM - The Jinishian Memorial Program is sponsoring a study tour to Armenia Sept. 26–Oct. 6. Hosted by local JMP team members, the tour will include discussions with all ecumenical church partners, Presbyterian, Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical. June 1 is the deadline to apply to participate in the study tour ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

FBR Report: "After War, Finding Time for Play with Friends in Iraq"

The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) is a multi-ethnic humanitarian service movement. They bring help, hope and love to people in the war zones of Burma (Myanmar) and the Middle East. Groups send teams to be trained, supplied and sent into the areas under attack to provide emergency assistance and human rights documentation. Together with other groups, the teams work to serve people in need.



FBR Photo
"After War, Finding Time for Play with Friends in Iraq"

Dear friends,

Thanks for your prayers. We are back in the Middle East now and while we were preparing for our Syria trip we had an opportunity to have Eman, her family (including her new twins), Khofran, and Khofran’s father come spend the day and night with us. It was wonderful! Both Eman and Khofran, who were shot by ISIS and waited days until we could rescue them, can walk now and that, too, is a great gift. We had a big meal and looked at all the FBR videos about the rescues together ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this FBR Report ...

CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can get involved in FBR and its mission ...

In the News ... “WTFB, ECISD launch summer food plans"

WTFB Photo
• Make it happen this summer as the needs grow in the Permian Basin

Staff Report,
KMID-TV


ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - Ector County ISD and the West Texas Food Bank are preparing to launch their summer food programs.

The goal, is to ensure that children who rely on school lunches, have fresh meals during the summer break ...

read the rest of this KMID report


In the News ... "Samantha’s question: Why does the priest kiss the altar?"

EPHP Photo
• What is actually contained within an altar that would garner such devotion?

By Steve Zimmerman, Reporter
El Paso Herald-Post


EL PASO, TEXAS - “I visited El Paso in April, for a wedding,” wrote Samantha J. “This was my first time at any sort of Roman Catholic service. I noticed the priest, and the deacon kisses the altar. Why do that do that? I was told that there are dead people in the altar. Is that why? I would also like to know what parts of these people are in the altar.”

Samantha’s sister-in-law suggested that she send me an email with her questions for a proper answer ...

Read the rest of this EPHP 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.

Photo by Rich Copley
Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 30, 2019

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN MODERATOR - JyungIn “Jenny” Lee was a bit incredulous.

She had come to an office event with japchae, a popular Korean stir-fry dish of glass noodles, vegetables and mushrooms, sometimes including meat. Because of the arduous process of cooking japchae, Lee explained, it was often the last dish people signed up for at potlucks.

But she had made it and was faced with a colleague who said he made japchae in 15 minutes ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

In the News ... "Church hosting BBQ benefit - THIS WEEK"


• Will benefit the church's youth summer camp

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - The Oneighty program of Odessa Christian Faith Center, 8828 Andrews Highway, has scheduled a church barbeque benefit from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. May 31.

The event will include barbeque, snow cones, jumpers and face painting for the kids, and a cornhole tournament with prizes for first, second and third place winners.

Proceeds will benefit the church youth summer camp.

Go online for tickets or, for more information, call (432) 368-7714.


In the News ... “WTX Food Bank staff excited to help hungry children this Summer"

KWES Image
• The West Texas Food Bank is extending their program to fill empty bellies

By Tate Owen, Victor Blanco, Digital Content Producers
KWES-TV

MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - Nearly nine months out of the year, school's provide lunch for kids and adjust the price for families facing financial struggles.

When Summer rolls around that can mean some empty bellies for families that just aren't able to provide what they need to ...

 • Read the rest of this KWES 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.

Photo by Rich Copley
Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 29, 2019

U.N. COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN - The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations welcomed the church’s 2019 delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women by celebrating Presbyterian Women’s new status as a nongovernmental organization accredited by the UN ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Partners Blog: "We Want To Have School"

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.

PR&D Photo
We Want To Have School

Children’s Day is a very happy day for kids in Thailand. They play games, eat snacks, and receive presents. In order to make that day happen, adults prepare the activities and events for them. With the support from Partners and Shan Youth Power (SYP) donors, SEED was able to distribute presents for children in four construction camps that we have been working in for several years ...

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/

"A Conversation on Human Trafficking" in Midland - TOMORROW


Date and Time

Wed, May 29, 2019
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM CDT

Location

Midland County Centennial Library
2503 Loop 250 Frontage Road
Midland, TX 79705

Described as one of the worst crises of our generation, human trafficking is known as modern-day slavery, and it is happening in our backyard in alarming numbers.

Please join the Midland Liberty Leadership Council for a lunch and learn panelist discussion on this important issue as experts discuss their efforts to combat human trafficking.

Panelists:
Lisa Bownds, CEO, Founder of Reflection Ministries of Texas
Laura Nodolf, Midland District Attorney
Michael Villarreal, Office of the Attorney General of Texas
Moderated by Charissa Huntzinger, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Complimentary lunch will be served.




Liberty Leadership Council events are open to young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 looking to get involved in conservative public policy. Click here for more information.

In the News ... "Young bull riders pray, then ride"

Courtesy Photo
• Started in Odessa, Christian Junior Bull Riders go statewide

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - It makes sense to pray before you try to ride a wild animal and that’s what members of the Texas Christian Junior Bull Riders do ...

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.

Photo Courtesy of Endeavor Presbyterian Church
Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 28, 2019

RURAL COMMUNITY - For the first time in its 120-year history, Endeavor Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Lake Erie has running water. Yes, you read that correctly. Running water ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, May 27, 2019

From @chinaaid : "American pastor calls for rescue from Chinese prison"

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.

China Aid Photo
American pastor calls for rescue from Chinese prison
Distributed by ChinaAid, April 2019 ...

BEIJING, CHINA – An American pastor serving a life sentence in China is begging his family to secure his release ...

More on this story from China Aid ...


Burgers & Blessings ... coming next week to a church near you!

Image by Laura Up In the Clouds
June is almost here, and thus our annual Burgers and Blessings get-togethers are about to commence!

Please join us Wednesdays, starting on June 5th this year, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield Street in Midland, Texas. The dinners begin at 6:00 p.m. and are very casual.

Burgers, hot dogs and "the fixings" will be provided by the church; you just come, bring a side dish or dessert, and the gift of your company.

We hope to see YOU there!

"A Conversation on Human Trafficking" in Midland - WEDNESDAY


Date and Time

Wed, May 29, 2019
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM CDT

Location

Midland County Centennial Library
2503 Loop 250 Frontage Road
Midland, TX 79705

Described as one of the worst crises of our generation, human trafficking is known as modern-day slavery, and it is happening in our backyard in alarming numbers.

Please join the Midland Liberty Leadership Council for a lunch and learn panelist discussion on this important issue as experts discuss their efforts to combat human trafficking.

Panelists:
Lisa Bownds, CEO, Founder of Reflection Ministries of Texas
Laura Nodolf, Midland District Attorney
Michael Villarreal, Office of the Attorney General of Texas
Moderated by Charissa Huntzinger, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Complimentary lunch will be served.




Liberty Leadership Council events are open to young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 looking to get involved in conservative public policy. Click here for more information.

Memorial Day

Reading in Wikipedia that, "Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering and honoring people who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day was observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1971."

"The practice of decorating soldiers' graves with flowers is an ancient custom.Some believe that an annual cemetery decoration practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the 'memorial day' idea."



So much going through my head at this time ... how to express it? ... maybe I shouldn't try ... it's been said before, and said with words much better than anything I could compose ...

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

President Abraham Lincoln
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863

In the News ... "Midland churches combine"

OA Photo
• North A, Main Street Churches of Christ create Downtown Church of Christ

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
Odessa American


MIDLAND, TEXAS - Two historic Midland congregations have merged to create a new church that leaders say will continue its traditional missionary initiatives.

North A Church of Christ, founded in 1928, and Main Street Church of Christ, dating to 1934, have formed Downtown Church of Christ in the former North A buildings at North A Street and Tennessee Avenue. The Main Street buildings at Parker Avenue and Main are being vacated ...

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.

Photo Provided
Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 27, 2019

MEMORIAL DAY - The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. — Psalm 34:18

Official Memorial Day observances in our nation date back to the Civil War era. The tradition of decorating graves of war dead in the spring dates back centuries. As our nation observes this Memorial Day, may we remember the over 1.2 million citizens who have given their lives in service to this nation ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, May 26, 2019

In the News ... "Abilene churches dodge tornado's path; Pioneer Drive becomes relief hub"

ARN Photo by Greg Jaklewicz
• Helping is what Abilene does

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, unscathed by the tornado that danced by it May 18, turned itself into a relief mission as a way to help neighbors who weren’t so fortunate.

Not long after the tornado passed through Abilene, enough volunteers and people in need showed up at the church to fill the large parking lot on the west side of Pioneer Drive at South Seventh Street ...

Read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "The Salvation Army has been in San Angelo since 1901"

Editor's Note: The Standard-Times will spotlight a different San Angelo house of faith each week during 2019.

SAST File Photo
• Capt. J.L. Gassaway was the first to get things going in San Angelo

By Matthew McDaniel, Reporter
San Angelo Standard Times


SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - Salvation Army history in San Angelo dates back to 1901, according to the Standard-Times archives, when the first story about the organization appeared on Oct. 26 announcing a fundraiser ...

Read the rest of this SAST 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.

Photo from Shelvis Smith-Mather

Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 26, 2019

MISSION WORKER SUNDAY - They are advocates. They are interpreters. They are bridge builders. They are peacemakers.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission workers are men and women who have discerned a call from God to serve four or more years alongside our global partners. They dedicate years of their lives to help us understand issues of ministry across boundaries, interpreting language and culture, and sharing God’s love ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Equal Exchange Blog ... "Sugarcane Farming in Paraguay: Turning up the Heat for Future Generations"

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.


Sugarcane Farming in Paraguay: Turning up the Heat for Future Generations

Last December, members of Equal Exchange’s chocolate team met with our sugarcane co-op partners, Manduvira. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, Paraguay experiences its seasons opposite to ours. In December, while Americans enjoy a mug of hot chocolate to warm up, Paraguayans are enjoying an iced tea, called terere, to cool down.

Sugarcane farming at the small-scale level requires a lot of manual work ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post



In the News ... "San Angelo Faith Briefs"


• Here's what's going on at church near you

By Matthew McDaniel, Reporter
San Angelo Standard Times


SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - From the Standard-Times, news of special events and programs from Concho Valley houses of faith ...

Read the rest of this SAST report

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In the News ... "Memorial Day services planned around Lubbock"

Photo by Country Living Magazine
• City estimates more than 2,000 veterans are buried at the Historic City of Lubbock Cemetery

By Adam D. Young, Reporter
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - Several services are planned for Sunday and Monday to mark Memorial Day on the South Plains ...

 • Read the rest of this LAJ report ...

 • More from the LAJ's "South Plains Faith Calendar" ...

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.

(Contributed Photo)

Today in the Mission Yearbook: May 25, 2019

ROMA CHRISTIANS - For the Roma Christians I work with in Russia, having food on the table every day is not a given, nor is a working automobile or indoor plumbing ....

...It has been humbling to see how much they do for God’s kingdom with the little that they have and the intensity of their devotion ...

CLICK HERE to read more.