From @chinaaid : ""Mayflower" Church faces an uncertain future; ChinaAid deploys efforts for solutions '"

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

"Mayflower" Church faces an uncertain future; ChinaAid deploys efforts for solutions
Distributed by ChinaAid, February 2022 ...

JEJU ISLAND, SOUTH KOREA – A group of 60 members of a Puritan-influenced church, Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church, also referred to as the Mayflower Church, relocated to Jeju Island in South Korea in 2019 to avoid the Chinese Communist Party’s repressive education policies and anti-religious propaganda. Their vision of having a safe haven is being put to the test ...

• More on this story from ChinaAid ...

In the News ... "Local bank gives back to the community"

• Homes for low-income families that are in inadequate housing

By Tatiana Battle, Reporter
• KMID-TV/KPEJ-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - First Capital Bank of Texas teams up with Habitat for Humanity to build a new house. In a recent release, the house is set to be built on Capital Lane in Midland. ...

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

In the News ... "COVID-19 Memorial Mass"

• Tuesday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2633 Conover Ave., has scheduled a mass in memory of those who lost their lives due to COVID-19 at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Before mass, a list will be posted in the church lobby for attendees to write down the names of loved ones who have passed away from COVID-19. Those names will be mentioned during the mass ...

• More information/Más información ...

In the News ... "3:11 Ministries ‘Perfect PROMise’ program to help students shop for prom"

Photo by Curtis Routh

• This is the seventh year for the program; volunteers needed

By Jacy Lewis, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS -3:11 Ministries needs help from volunteers for its “Perfect PROMise” program, which helps students shop for prom. The nonprofit currently needs help sorting and sizing the dress from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at 3:11 Ministries.

“We take donated prom dresses and some that we purchase, and give to girls who would not otherwise be able to afford a dress to go to prom,” said 3:11 Ministries Executive Director Sally Stafford, who also said this is the seventh year for the program.

The program was designed to help young ladies who wouldn’t be financially able to attend their high school prom. The nonprofit acknowledges this program strays away from simple everyday needs but found a unique opportunity to help young women with low self-esteem or lack of self confidence to make them feel like a princess while praying for them and encouraging their success, according to the website.

“We are a staff of two and we have about 2,000 dresses that need to be organized,” Stafford said.

The nonprofit also recently moved the dresses from Crestview Baptist in storage while the new facility was being built. The dresses are now being sorted at the non-profit’s new warehouse. 3:11 Ministries is continuing to take donations of prom dresses, which can be dropped off at Legacy High School from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at 3:11 Ministries from Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Applications can be submitted via http://www.311ministries.org/perfect-promise< to book an appointment to shop for a prom dress starting in March ...

 • 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.

The Rev. Jessica Derise

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 28, 2022

MREV. JESSICA DERISE, MISSION CO-WORKER - The Rev. Jessica Derise has served as a mission co-worker for more than a year, but for the first time is able to do so in person.

Derise is serving in an interim capacity as chaplain for the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC), an international congregation founded in the 1960s as a Protestant worshiping community for the U.S. Embassy ...

• 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.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 27, 2022

MATTHEW 25 CHURCH - FEEDING MINISTRY - The Welcome Table is the feeding ministry at Briargate Presbyterian Church on the southwest side of Louisville. Since April 2019, this small but mighty church of approximately 50 members is following the Matthew 25:31–46 call to actively engage in the world around us.

For The Welcome Table, it is about hospitality ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Abilene Sermons: 2/26-27/22"

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

Staff Report
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Encourage your pastor to tell us the upcoming week's sermon topic. It's FREE, and it's open to churches throughout the Big Country. Email it to publishme@reporternews.com by 2 p.m. each Tuesday. Please put "sermon" in the subject line. Include the topic, who will deliver it, a synopsis limited to 60 words, when services begin and the name and street address of your place of worship ...

• Read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Lubbock Area Faith Calendar"

Courtesy Photo

• What’s going on in area churches

Staff Report
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - From the Avalanche-Journal, news of regular services, and special events and programs at houses of faith in Lubbock and across the South Plains ...

 • Read the rest of this LAJ 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.

The Rev. Robert Felix

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 26, 2022

SHARING THE GOSPEL - Each Sunday, the Rev. Robert Felix has been giving parishioners at Chandler Presbyterian Church in Chandler, Arizona, real answers to honest questions. The way he goes about providing those answers — producing a short film each week based on a top faith question identified on Google Trends, then discussing the film and the question together — has proven to be an effective and innovative platform for, as he says, “figuring out how we share the gospel in Chandler and the world.” ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "MPD: 4 Trinity School administrators arrested"

• Days after administrators were arrested at Midland Christian School on similar charges

Staff Report
• Midland Reporter-Telegram
Updated: Feb. 25, 2022 2:55 p.m.

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Midland Police Department officials arrested four Trinity School of Midland administrators Friday morning for failure to report with intent to conceal neglect or abuse.

Todd Freese, Shelby Hammer, Chrystal Myers and Adrianne Clifton have been arrested but not booked into Midland County Jail. The Trinity School website lists Todd Freese as the MS & US Dean of Students, Shelby Hammer as the Head of School, Chrystal Myers Head of Middle School and Adrianne Clifton as the Assistant Head for Administration/Director of Admission.

The investigation is ongoing, and there is no other information from Midland PD or Trinity School of Midland at this time.

The arrest comes days after five administrators were arrested at Midland Christian School on similar charges on Feb. 16

In the News ... "Safe Place breaks ground on $22M facility"

Photo by Julie Donnelly

• Provide secure, confidential emergency shelter for victims and their children

By Julie Donnelly, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - Safe Place of the Permian Basin has broken ground on what will be its new home.

Cliffy Beal, chairwoman of the building campaign, welcomed community members, donors and board members and highlighted what Safe Place means to the Permian Basin and the safehaven it is for those in need.

Capital Campaign Chairman Chad Cooksey thanked all those who donated and volunteered their time to the nonprofit and how that helped make the new shelter a reality.

Executive Director Carol Wayland spoke about the mission of Safe Place and how the new building will have even more of an impact in keeping with its goal ...

• Read the rest of this MRT report ...

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “Hidden Surprise”

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.

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FWM Photo

Friday Story: “Hidden Surprise”

Meet Miguel, a 22-year-old who lives with his sister and mother in Nicaragua. He was named in honor of his father, who supported the family as a farmer.

One afternoon, his mother Juana found little Miguel convulsing on the ground, suffering from a high fever. Overwhelmed with desperation, Juana picked him up and started walking for several hours, for there were no medical centers nearby. She finally came upon the only doctor in their remote community, who diagnosed Miguel with a brain injury caused by a high fever that was triggered by an infection.

To add to an already tragic situation, Miguel's beloved father passed away, leaving the family with no financial support. Juana took Miguel and his sister, Maria, to the city, where she makes a modest living selling enchiladas at a bus station.

Meanwhile, Miguel stayed home with his sister, hidden from public view out of fear and shame ...

• Read the rest of this story ...

In the News ... "3:11 Ministries continues their annual 'Perfect PROMise' program"

KWES Photo

• Free prom dresses, shoes, accessories for local girls who can't afford them, for prom night

By Christina Burgess, Reporter
• KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The racks full of dresses are back out for 3:11 Ministries' 7th Annual 'Perfect PROMise'. The program is designed to help local girls who may not be able to afford a prom dress get one for free, along with other accessories ...

 • Read/watch 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.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 25, 2022

BETWEEN TWO PULPITS - Natalie Pisarcik, a member of First Presbyterian Church of Boonton, New Jersey, has already bravely shared her story of deep depression and the intention she once had to end her life before asking God to forgive her for what she called “a terrible mistake,” forgiveness Pisarcik said she did receive ...

• 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 Suzanne Corum-Rich

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 24, 2022

NEW WORSHIPING COMMUNITY LEADER - For seven years, Nick Pickrell, organizer of The Open Table in Kansas City, Missouri, has been hustling to keep the new worshiping community afloat. There was a lot of grant writing and developing — not to mention the community’s antiracism training business. Finally, last summer, Pickrell was able to take a break, thanks to Sabbath & Sabbatical Grants from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s 1001 New Worshiping Communities movement ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Opportunity Center for the Homeless receives donations from both MTC Facilities"

EPHP Photo

• “We are paying forward the blessings we receive”

Staff Report
• El Paso Herald-Post

EL PASO, TEXAS - The Otero County Prison Facility used money from their Inmate Holiday Fund to buy donations for the Opportunity Center for the Homeless. Through fundraisers, OCPF inmates raise money throughout the year to give back to the community. This time around, that money was used to buy all new towels, pillows, blankets, male and female undergarments, and other personal items for the Opportunity Center ...

• 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 23, 2022

LYDIA'S LISTENING SESSION - n the final episode of Lydia’s Listening Session, hosted by the offices of Women’s Leadership Development and Leadership Development for Leaders of Color of the Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, women of color who are in faith leadership roles gathered to share their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has impacted their lives and ministries ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From ServLife International ... "Prayer and Praise"

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.

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ServLife Photos

Prayer and Praise

PRAYER

We have launched two sewing training classes in east Nepal. Both classes have 15 students who are learning how to sew clothes, blankets and scarves. The two-month training also includes Bible study and basic business training. Please pray for the 30 women going through the training, that God would draw them closer to Himself, and that they would be empowered with this new vocational skill.

We also provided basic food supplies to hundreds of families during the COVID-19 lockdown, as well as medical care and vaccinations for the children and their families.

PRAISE

Personally, I also wanted to share that I was approved to travel to India in March! It has been two years since I have been to India due to COVID restrictions, and I’m thrilled to finally be heading back to India soon. Praise God!

Sewing Training Session

INVEST

The cost of the sewing training is $773 per person for two months. Please click here to make a gift today to support the women in this training. ...

Thank you,

From Adam Nevins
Executive Director
ServLife International Inc.


Click here to give a gift to help families and our partners in India and Nepal.




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 ...

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

In the News ... "PHOTO ALBUM: Scenes from the Prayer Breakfast"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer

• Annual gathering to share faith and fellowship, testimony and prayer

By Tim Fischer, Photographer
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Midlanders came together in the morning, February 10th at the Bush Convention Center, for the annual Permian Basin Prayer Breakfast ...

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

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 imothy Krause, CC BY 2.0

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 22, 2022

IDOLATRY - Any recounting of the journey of the children of Israel must include the story of the golden calf. It’s an important story because it reminds us of our own ways of traveling the journeys God has set before us. We want to claim our place among God’s chosen, and yet we cannot do so without owning our own failures as followers of a leader. We, too, have often found our spiritual leaders “up on the mountain” awaiting a word from God and, like Moses’ followers, have tired of waiting for epiphany that will provide us the answers we desire. We know what happens next ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @chinaaid : "Secret trial scheduled for Christian who posted an encouraging message online'"

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

Secret trial scheduled for Christian who posted an encouraging message online
Distributed by ChinaAid, February 2022 ...

GUANGZHOU, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA – The Chinese government scheduled a secret trial against Christian Gao Heng on February 11. Brother Gao is a Christian of Guangzhou Bible Reformed Church. He was charged with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” ...

• More on this story from ChinaAid ...

From @austinseminary ... Update from the Presidential Search Committee

A Message from the Chair of the Presidential Search Committee

February 18, 2022

On behalf of the Presidential Search Committee, we are honored to be given the task of finding the next leader of this institution to build on the outstanding legacy of Ted Wardlaw and to lead this seminary into new avenues of service to the church and the world.

Throughout the month of February, members of the President Search Committee are conducting a variety of listening sessions with members of the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary community. We will be visiting with Trustees, faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. We seek to hear from all the stakeholders of this institution, what we value in the next seminary president, what we value about this particular seminary, and what we value about the next chapter for Austin Seminary. As we move forward in this search, we want to report back to you the values and institutional priorities we have heard and that will help shape our work.

For the past several months, we have invited nominations throughout the church, country, and globe for the next President of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. We have also consulted seminary presidents, leaders in the church, scholars in the academy, and people all over the country who love and care about Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The response of gifted nominees has been overwhelming and exciting.

As we move forward with hope, prayers, and anticipation in this search to select the next President of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, we ask for your prayers for discernment, for encouragement, and for clarity about the person God already has in mind to lead this seminary forward from strength to strength.

While we anticipate early March to be the deadline for nominations, we invite you to communicate with us throughout this process and can reach us anytime at PresidentSearch​@austinseminary​.edu.

Gratefully yours,

Chris Currie
Chair, Presidential Search Committee

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Presidential Search Committee

CHAIR
The Reverend Dr. Chris Currie
New Orleans, Louisiana

EX OFFICIO
The Reverend Keatan King
Houston, Texas

Ms. Chrystal Brigman
Austin, Texas

The Reverend Katie Cummings (MDiv’05)
Bentonville, Arkansas

The Reverend Dr. Jill Duffield (DMin’13)
Greensboro, North Carolina

The Reverend Michael East (MDiv’14)
Norman, Oklahoma

Dr. David Jensen
Austin, Texas

Dr. Suzie Park
Austin, Texas

The Reverend Denise Pierce (MATS’11)
Austin, Texas

The Reverend Mark Ramsey
Charlottesville, Virginia

Mr. Conrad Rocha
Albuquerque, New Mexico

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In the News ... "Anderson brings diverse experience to church"

OA Photo by Jacob Ford

• Former schoolteacher relates Bible history to modern issues

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

CRANE, TEXAS - The Rev. Glenn Anderson had had a career in public school education when he decided to seek certification as a lay minister and become pastor of the First United Methodist Church.

Having grown up in an Air Force family in South Texas, Hawaii and Germany, the Rev. Anderson took a degree in computer science and business administration at Angelo State University and earned a teaching certificate at UTPB. He got a master’s degree in counseling at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. He and his wife Michelle have a son.

“I preach about focus and the hope we find in Christ,” Anderson said. “We see gloom and despair in the world, but in Christ we can rest our hope. I love to provide a historical perspective, tying in Biblical times with what we’re seeing in the world today, and the scriptural meaning of what we see.”

An average of 20 people attend the First United Methodist Church at 11:15 a.m. Sunday at 1010 S. Gaston St. and seven or eight the 9 a.m. Sunday service at the Grandfalls Union Church 30 miles west of here.

Anderson, 58, taught in the schools here and at Fort Stockton and Presidio for 28 years and he is now route supervisor in the solid waste department for the City of Odessa. “Methodism allows us to discuss what the scripture says,” he said.

“We ask, are we hearing this correctly and what is it telling us to do? John Wesley provided a framework for this decision-making process. We definitely look at the scripture, but we also use reason to decide what actions we need to take through the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I was unchurched when I met Michelle at Angelo State. She got me to going to church and thinking about what that meant.”

John Wesley (1703-91) was a British theologian and evangelist who led a revival movement in the Church of England known as Methodism, featuring religious instruction, personal accountability and discipleship. That movement was the forerunner of the United Methodist Church.

First UMC of Crane Lay Leader David Whitaker said Anderson “is a stand-up good guy who tries his hardest in everything he does ...

• 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.

The Rev. Dr. Ralph B. Watkins

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 21, 2022

8 HABITS OF EVANGELISM - Saying that “love leads to justice,” the Rev. Dr. Ralph B. Watkins said his mother always told him that “God is on the side of justice.”

With that, Watkins, professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Columbia Theological Seminary, explained why he chose to write about justice for the new 8 Habits of Evangelism resource produced by Theology, Formation & Evangelism ...

• 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: February 20, 2022

PRESBYTERIAN MISSION SUNDAY - News, media, information, publishing and the spiritual or divine are inseparable — digital or otherwise. This fact has been laid bare since the pandemic began. Churches have had to respond quickly to increased anxieties and new challenges, all while reimagining the ways we gather as disciples of Jesus. How can they worship and serve faithfully in a strange time, when we are not gathered in bodily presence? ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Abilene Sermons: 2/19-20/22"

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

Staff Report
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Encourage your pastor to tell us the upcoming week's sermon topic. It's FREE, and it's open to churches throughout the Big Country. Email it to publishme@reporternews.com by 2 p.m. each Tuesday. Please put "sermon" in the subject line. Include the topic, who will deliver it, a synopsis limited to 60 words, when services begin and the name and street address of your place of worship ...

• Read the rest of this ARN report ...