In the News ... "Concert will aid oil workers"

Courtesy Photo

• Randy Rogers Band, Hamiltons on the ticket for March event

Staff Report
• Odessa American

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Oilfield Helping Hands will host the Second Annual Black Gold Bash benefit concert in Midland in March ...

... Oilfield Helping Hands is a non-profit organization, established in Houston in 2003. OHH helps oilfield families in financial crisis ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "Sex trafficking confronted"

Courtesy Photo

• Midland-based ministry establishes village to house, counsel victims

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Fighting sex trafficking and sheltering the victims is a problematic equation, but it’s one that Reflection Ministries of Texas is more than willing to undertake.

Having been trafficked herself as a Dallas teenager, founder-CEO Lisa Bownds has overseen the recent establishment of a 25-acre village at an undisclosed location here to house victims for up to two years as they “go through a journey of healing, hope and wellness,” she 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.

Photo by Robert Foltz Morrison

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 31, 2020

VITAL CONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE - When more than 50 people representing 31 congregations gathered to prepare for the Presbytery of New York City’s launch of the Vital Congregations initiative, the Rev. Robert Foltz-Morrison, the executive presbyter, felt the Spirit moving. ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

FBR Report: "US Congressman Attends Graduation of 141 Rangers at Tha U Wah Training Camp"

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

"US Congressman Attends Graduation of 141 Rangers at Tha U Wah Training Camp"

31 December 2019
Karen State, Burma

On 27 December 2019, 99 new rangers comprising 22 teams, and 42 advanced rangers, stood at attention on the drill field of FBR’s Tha U Wah Training Camp in Karen State, to be honored for completing the Free Burma Ranger Servant Leadership and Relief Team Training.

This year we were honored by the presence of Congressman Ralph Abraham from Louisiana who came to encourage the rangers and learn more about how to help people under attack by the Burma Army ...

• CLICK HERE to read/watch the rest of this FBR Report ...

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

God bless you,

Dave, family and teams

“LOVE EACH OTHER.
UNITE AND WORK FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND PEACE.
FORGIVE AND DON’T HATE EACH OTHER.
PRAY WITH FAITH, ACT WITH COURAGE, NEVER SURRENDER.”

In the News ... "Party & Chili Cook Off at New Dawn Fellowship"

• Event is free and open to the public

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - New Dawn Fellowship, 2110 E. 10th St., has scheduled a Super Bowl Party & Chili Cook Off Contest at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in fellowship hall.

Bring a favorite game time food, side dish, or dessert to share.

Prizes will be awarded for first and second place, spiciest chili and the people’s choice award.

Chili not required to watch the game.

The event is free and open to the public.

Go online for cook off rules or to register, or text the word CHILI to (432) 239-1211.

In the News ... "Catholic Schools Week kicks off"

OA Photo by Mark Rogers

• Bring the community together, and the new families that may be attending Holy Cross next year

By Ruth Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

MIDLAND, TEXAS - A mass [was] offered for Holy Cross Catholic High School at 5:30 p.m. [Tuesday] at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Midland to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of Catholic schools and students.

The mass is part of Catholic Schools Week, which started Monday. Holy Cross Head of School Carolyn Gonzalez said every day this week will have a different activity ...

• 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.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 30, 2020

PRESBYTERIAN MINISTRY AT THE UNITED NATIONS - With political campaigns nationwide ramping up for the 2020 elections, two staffers at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations recently reflected on the varied work they put in each day ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Photo Album: 'Empty Bowls' celebrates 20 years of helping feed the Basin"

MRT Photo by Jacy Lewis

• Annual fundraiser for West Texas Food Bank

By Jacy Lewis, Reporter/Photographer
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

ODESSA, TEXAS - Scenes from Empty Bowls 2020 on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Convention Center ...

 • Enjoy the rest of this MRT photo album ...

• Related Photo Album: MC Art Students Contribute to Annual Food Bank Fundraiser ...

In the News ... "New Mexico man walks for the poor"

Photo Courtesy of Food For The Poor

• Latest trek took him through West Texas on way to Mexico

Contributed Report
• Odessa American

LOVINGTON, NEW MEXICO - he love of walking and helping the poor was all the motivation needed for Food For The Poor donor Daniel Valdez to complete his fifth 500-mile walk. Valdez walks to raise awareness about the plight of the poor, and to fundraise for a home for a destitute family through Food For The Poor ...

• 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 South Presbyterian Church

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 29, 2020

MATTHEW 25 INVITATION - A congregation without a building but with a proven record of innovation for serving the Rochester, New York, community — especially those living in the city’s margins — has accepted the Matthew 25 invitation ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Partners Blog: “Who is Aung San Suu Kyi?”

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.

Photo by UN ICJ/Frank Van Beek

“Who is Aung San Suu Kyi?”

To understand the current situation among the Rohingya and other ethnic groups in Myanmar, one must understand the complexities of the country’s politics, history, and leadership, including that of Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi ...

• 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 ... "The West Texas Food Bank celebrated the Empty Bowls 20th Anniversary "

KMID/KPEJ Photo

• The whole idea of the empty bowls began 20 years ago

By Yoselin Person, Reporter
• KMID-TV/KPEV-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank celebrated the Empty Bowls 20th Anniversary, and hundreds of people in the community took the empty bowls that were displayed.

The West Texas Food Bank has been known for helping those in need throughout our community, and Craig Stoker, marketing director of West Texas Food Bank, says the empty bowls have a particular purpose ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KMID/KPEJ report ... 

• Related Photo Album: MC Art Students Contribute to Annual Food Bank Fundraiser ...

In the News ... "West Texas church celebrates major milestone "

KOSA Photo

• Grace Lutheran invites community to join them at their next event, ‘Hymn Fest,’ in April

By Alex Valdez, Reporter
• KOSA-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - ​Grace Lutheran Church in the Tall City celebrated 90 years of serving the Basin on Saturday.

The church held a little birthday party as a kick-off for a year of celebrations ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KOSA report 

In the News ... "Study: Homeless population costs county $51.9 million a year"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer

• The Perryman Group provides analysis for The Field's Edge, Family Promise of Midland

By Caitlin Randle,, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The purpose of the study was to estimate “the economic and fiscal consequences of homelessness in the Midland area,” the report states. The costs measured include increased emergency room visits for homeless persons, crime and incarceration costs and lost economic productivity, according to the report.

“There are compelling social and humanitarian reasons to reduce homelessness, including the positive effects on human health, well-being and dignity,” it states...

 • Read the rest of this MRT 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.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 28, 2020

PILLARS OF THE CHURCH - Jesus taught us to love God and to love our neighbor. These are the pillars of our faith and part of what compels Presbyterians to make a difference in people’s lives.

Five years ago, the Pillars of the Church initiative launched as one way to build a faithful community of donors who prefer to give online ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @chinaaid : "Early Rain Covenant Church--They passed through the valley of tears: Part 1 "

The ChinaAid 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

Early Rain Covenant Church--They passed through the valley of tears: Part 1
Distributed by ChinaAid, January 2020 ...

ChinaAid Note: This is part one of an article written by ChinaAid correspondent Yu Ren regarding the persecution of Early Rain Covenant Church.

CHENGDU, CHINA – During December, the season of Advent, Christians throughout the world look forward to Christmas. Christians in Jiangxin Building in Chengdu welcomed this day of universal jubilation in a unique way, which they had practiced for several years.

By the afternoon of Dec. 10, 2018, however, hundreds of Christians, including pastors, elders and fellow workers, had unexpectedly lost contact with each other ...

• More on this story from ChinaAid ...

FBR Report: "Free Burma Rangers: The Movie, Coming NEXT MONTH to Theaters"

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.

---

"Free Burma Rangers: The Movie, Coming NEXT MONTH to Theaters"

Thank you for your continued support for helping free the oppressed around the world. Our mission is to give help, hope, and love and shine a light for oppressed people. We want to share the love that Jesus shares with us.

For the past several years a feature-length documentary film telling the story of FBR’s 20+ years of work has been in production. It is now complete, and is being distributed by LifeWay Films, who, with Deidox Films, are bringing it to 850+ movie theaters nationwide for two days, on February 24th & 25th. The movie is not rated, but viewer discretion is advised because of war violence ...

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

Thank you and God bless you,

Dave, family, and the Free Burma Rangers

EDITOR'S NOTE: In West Texas, the Free Burma Rangers movie will be showing at the following locations on February 24 and 25, at 7:00 pm (local time) both evenings ...

• ABILENE:
     Century 12 Abilene
• EL PASO:
     Cinemark West & XD
     AMC El Paso 16
     Cinemark 20 & XD
• LUBBOCK:
     Tinseltown Lubbock
• MIDLAND:
     Regal Tall City Stadium 14
• SAN ANGELO:
     Tinseltown San Angelo

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

“LOVE EACH OTHER.
UNITE AND WORK FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND PEACE.
FORGIVE AND DON’T HATE EACH OTHER.
PRAY WITH FAITH, ACT WITH COURAGE, NEVER SURRENDER.”

In the News ... "'Empty Bowls' 2020 helps food bank feed hungry West Texans"

KOSA Photo

• Each $15 bowl sold at the event helps feed almost 60 hungry people here in the Basin

By Alex Valdez, Reporter
• KOSA-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - West Texans came together over the weekend to support one local organization that helps those in need here in the Basin. ...

• Read the rest of this KOSA report 

• Related Photo Album: MC Art Students Contribute to Annual Food Bank Fundraiser ...

In the News ... "3:11 Ministries hires new leadership team"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer

• “As we have grown, the dynamics have changed”

By Brandi Addison, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The founder and executive director of 3:11 Ministries has stepped away from her position and, in agreement with the board of directors, has named Paris Wilbanks as executive director ...

 • Read the rest of this MRT 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.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 20, 2020

PRESBYTERIAN FOUNDATION'S ONLINE GIVING PROGRAM - First Presbyterian Church in Maumee, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo, has partnered with an urban Toledo mission, Mosaic Ministries, that’s working to eradicate poverty and lack of education in south Toledo.

The Presbyterian Foundation’s online giving program has been a key part of bolstering First Presbyterian’s commitment to the community ...

• 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.

Photo by Marc Lester

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 26, 2020

PASS THE PEACE - The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
On Sunday mornings in congregations across the country, hands are shaken, and the words of Christ’s peace are exchanged with one another.

Yet what does it mean to pass the peace of Christ into a world that is often anxious? ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Equal Exchange Blog ... "The Spicy Origins of Burlap & Barrel"

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.

---

The Spicy Origins of Burlap & Barrel

What if spice farmers had a way to sell their freshest and most unusual varieties for what they’re really worth? What if chefs and home cooks on the other side of the globe had access to spices they’d never tasted before — and the stories of where they came from? That’s the concept behind Burlap & Barrel. This month, we talked to co-founder Ethan Frisch to hear all about what this fair trade company is doing differently ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• Learn how YOU can help Equal Exchange ...

In the News ... "Empty Bowls celebrates 20 years of helping feed the Basin"

MRT Photo by Jacy Lewis

• TOMORROW at the Odessa Marriott and Convention Center’s Devonian Ballroom

By Jacy Lewis, Reporter/Photographer
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

ODESSA, TEXAS - University of Texas of the Permian Basin ceramics professor Chris Stanley sat at his potter’s wheel Wednesday trimming bowls he had thrown at 7:30 a.m. These are the bowls for the 2021 Empty Bowls event ...

... Stanley has been doing Empty Bowls from the fundraiser’s beginning. This year he is celebrating 20 years of making bowls to feed the Permian Basin ...

 • Read the rest of this MRT report ...

• Related Photo Album: MC Art Students Contribute to Annual Food Bank Fundraiser ...

In the News ... "Abilene Church News"

• What's happening at churches in the Big Country?

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - From the Reporter-News, news of services, special events and programs from Abilene-area houses of worship ... Explore a heritage of iconography ... ‘EXALT 2020’ coming to Convention Center ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

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

In the News ... “Grace Presbyterian to host informational meeting for Summer 2020 Caribbean mission opportunity"

Contributed Photo

• Providing medical care, construction and education to those in need

MIDLAND, TEXAS - One thing we can say from the very start ... M/V Pacific Hope does NOT offer you an average Caribbean cruise experience. It offers so much more, in so many ways, to those who choose to board … and SERVE.

A chance to learn more about how you can serve aboard M/V Pacific Hope this summer will take place Wednesday morning, January 29, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield, Midland, Texas ...

• 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.

Photo by Mike Fitzer/Film 180

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 25, 2020

AIJCAST PODCAST - Church-going or not, Americans are finding spiritual inspiration through podcasts.

In fact, according to Buzzsprout.com, 49 million households across the country listen to religious podcasts.

One of those, Aijcast, is hosted by a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister, the Rev. Marthame Sanders ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... “Get Rolling!” with Grace Presbyterian and Free Wheelchair Mission

WTM Photo by Jeff McDonald

• Partnering with local, national organizations for fundraiser

MIDLAND, TEXAS - You may not believe it from your first glance, but how far these wheels can roll, and how much they can carry will amaze you. See for yourself in the narthex of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas ...

... In collaboration with a network of like-minded partners, Free Wheelchair Mission has distributed more than one million wheelchairs to individuals in need in 93 countries around the world, providing renewed dignity, independence, and hope through the gift of mobility, at no cost to the recipient.

Those partners now include Grace Presbyterian, which will be holding a fundraiser in March...

• Read the rest of this story ...

---

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.

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “Blessings for Blessing”

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: “Blessings for Blessing”

Blessing Nyambuke is a beautiful six-year-old girl from Machakos town, in Kenya.

She was born with a condition known as amelia, with no arms and shortened legs.

Life has been challenging for Blessing and her parents, but she hasn’t let disability hold her back ...

• Read/watch the rest of this story ...

In the News ... "Midland College art students contribute to food bank fundraiser"

WTM Photo by Jeff McDonald

• Annual event set for THIS SUNDAY

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Students and faculty at Midland College are among those from schools, colleges, and youth clubs across Midland-Odessa contributing their efforts and their creations to benefit West Texas Food Bank, through its annual 'Empty Bowls' fundraiser. This year's event will take place Sunday, January 26, 11 am - 2 pm at the Odessa Marriott & Conference Center, 305 E. Fifth Street ...

• Read the rest of this report, and enjoy a photo album ...