In the News ... "Big Brothers Big Sisters getting close to goal"

• "We’re excited that we’re this close to making it happen”

By Ruth Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Efforts to bring Big Brothers Big Sisters back to Odessa are coming close to reality.

Kay Crites, executive director of the nonprofit in Midland, said $20,000 more is needed to make it happen. The initial goal was $93,800.

“We’ve come a long way, but we need it by July 15 so that we can be up and running by the fall semester with the school district,” Crites said ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Courtesy Photo

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: June 7, 2018

PC(USA) 2018 BOOK OF COMMON WORSHIP - Five years in the making, the 2018 Book of Common Worship (BCW) for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is now available. There are three new sections in the BCW — on creation and ecology, justice and reconciliation, and interreligious events. Included in these sections are services for ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "United Blood Services' upcoming blood drive to offer Schlitterbahn tickets"

KWES Photo

• "Priceless gift of life costs nothing but about an hour of your time.”

By Mariana Veloso, Digital Content Producer
• KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - United Blood Services will hold a local blood drive and the first 100 donors will receive one Schlitterbahn ticket.

The blood drive will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Market Street, 4706 N Midkiff, in Midland.

This blood drive has been scheduled to assist in increasing the current level of blood supply in the Permian Basin ...

• read the rest of this KWES report ...

Burgers & Blessings kicks-off TONIGHT at Grace Presbyterian

Laura Up In the Clouds

June is here, and thus our annual summertime Burgers & Blessings will commence THIS WEDNESDAY, June 6th ... TONIGHT!

The dinners begin at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield Street in Midland, Texas ... and are very casual The members of Church on the Journey will be joining us this year.

Burgers & Blessings is a time to get together for fellowship, mid-week. The church provides burgers, hot dogs, fixin's and drinks. You just come, bring a side-dish or dessert, and the gift of your company. The dinners will run from June 6 through August 8 (no dinner on July 4th).

We hope to see you there!

We set up 'teams' to take turns preparing. If you would like to be on a team to help set-up our fellowship hall for the meal, please contact Suzi Thompson, Judy Brown or Cheryl Truzkowski at the church - phone number (432)-684-6542. The men's study group will be taking turns doing the grilling.

Join us?

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 Rick Jones

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 6, 2018

COMPASSION, PEACE & JUSTICE TRAINING DAY - More than 220 Presbyterians gathered this spring at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., for Compassion, Peace & Justice Training Day, which kicked off Ecumenical Advocacy Days. The annual gathering brings Presbyterians together to engage in issues of national and international interest. The theme for this year’s event was “A World Uprooted: Responding to Migrants, Refugees and Displaced People” ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Partners Blog: "Freedom!"

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

Freedom!

Freedom! I can remember sitting in a movie theatre back in 1995 sobbing uncontrollably as I heard William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) cry out that word just before he died. It was only a movie, and a fairly inaccurate account of the struggle the Scottish people faced in breaking free from the oppression of the English, but that cry for freedom stayed with me ever since.

Last month I was again brought to tears by an impassioned cry for freedom. Except this time it wasn’t a movie and it wasn’t history. It was real and it was the present ...

• read the rest of this post ...

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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 ... "Summer Bringing Long Lines To The Food Bank"

KMID Photo

• Connection Christian Church partnering with West Texas Food Bank

Haylee Brooks, Reporter
• KMID-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - Students are closing their textbooks for the summer and the cafeterias are also closing their doors which means more families are heading to the West Texas Food Bank to fill their stomachs.

June and July mark their busiest time of year because school is out and the temperatures are in the triple digits...

• read/watch the rest of this KMID report

In the News ... "Out of the Ashes: Iraan Baptist Church Opens New Building"

KMID Photo

• New building is a new beginning

Caleb Califano, Reporter
• KMID-TV

IRAAN, TEXAS - - Years after it burned down and months since construction started, First Baptist Church of Iraan's new building is complete.

Walking into the sanctuary, you can see how much time and effort was put into the restoration ...

• read/watch the rest of this KMID report

File Photo

In the News ... "Ministers’ wives discuss roles"

OA Photo by Jacob Ford

• Challenges can be daunting, but a sense of humor helps, they say

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - If there were a job description for a minister’s wife, it would say the expectations are somewhat vague but limitless.

Yet when she or her husband or children get sick or have other problems, the congregation’s expressions of love and support can be amazing.

In a roundtable discussion, Andi McWilliams, Julie Stadler, Ann Doyle and Alice Salzwedel said the scrutiny is often intense, especially where the preacher’s kids are concerned, but God’s expectations of the wives are no greater than they are for any Christian ...

• 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 Robyn Sekula

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 5, 2018

SMALL CHURCHES - Not too long ago our presbytery meeting was held at a cathedral-like church with thick stone, intricate stained glass and a grand, high pulpit. As I climbed the steps to the pulpit, I swear the air got thinner. When I got to the top and behind the mic, I felt like I was commanding a starship. There was a smooth wooden shelf encircling the area, like an expansive console surrounding me, but without flashing computer screens. I felt like I could pilot the church straight to heaven. As I looked down upon my colleagues something inside me felt strange. Then I realized what it was. I had pulpit envy ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @chinaaid : "Pastor sentenced to three years prison for property damage"

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

Pastor sentenced to three years prison for property damage
Distributed by ChinaAid, April, 2018 ...

HUAIBEI, ANHUI – A pastor in China’s eastern Anhui province was sentenced to three years in prison on April 16 for “intentionally damaging property” after a land dispute ...

• more on this story from China Aid

Burgers & Blessings kicks-off this week at Grace Presbyterian

Laura Up In the Clouds

June is here, and thus our annual summertime Burgers & Blessings will commence THIS WEDNESDAY, June 6th.

The dinners begin at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield Street in Midland, Texas ... and are very casual The members of Church on the Journey will be joining us this year.

Burgers & Blessings is a time to get together for for fellowship, mid-week. The church provides burgers, hot dogs, fixin's and drinks. You just come, bring a side-dish or desser, and the gift of youe company. The dinners will run from June 6 through August 8 (no dinner on July 4th.

We hope to see you there!

We set up 'teams' to take turns preparing. If you would like to be on a team to help set-up our fellowship hall for the meal, please contact Suzi Thompson, Judy Brown or Cheryl Truzkowski at the church - phone number (432)-684-6542. The men's study group will be taking turns doing the grilling.

Join us?

In the News ... "Food bank fighting summer hunger"

Courtesy Photo

• Area children can get healthy meals, snacks

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - No child in West Texas should go hungry this summer as the West Texas Food Bank launches a program to make sure they don’t ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... “Lubbock’s Salvation Army, Open Door offer cool place during summer’s dangerous temperatures"

LAJ Photo by Matt Dotray

• Happy to provide that service

By Matt Dotray, Reporter
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - Kris Perez of the Lubbock Salvation Army said the summer heat is just as dangerous as the winter cold.

He said nobody should be outside for a long period of time in this heat. But unfortunately that’s not always the case — the annual point-in-time homeless count in 2018 reported 333 homeless individuals in Lubbock County. Perez has seen these individuals huddled in the shade and out in the heat.

Lubbock has hit at least 100 degrees much of this week, and reached 105 degrees the past two days. He, along with representatives at Open Door, said when temperatures reach this high, their focus is offering a cool place to stay ...

 • 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.

Photo courtesy Baylor Scott & White Health

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 4, 2018

CPE CULTURAL IMMERSION PROGRAM - Satoe Soga was 11 and miserable.

She’d just moved from Taiwan to Japan with her parents, who were ordained Presbyterian ministers. Her father had been called to a Taiwanese congregation there.

Unable to speak Japanese, Soga began to withdraw at school, even refusing to play with her classmates. She hated school and didn’t want to go to church.

She began to have fights at home, especially with her father.

Soga didn’t realize this until much later but as she cried out to God she was being prepared to use her pain for good ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Equal Exchange Blog ... "Building a Movement of Small Farmers in Peruvian Avocados"

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.

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Building a Movement of Small Farmers in Peruvian Avocados

Over the last decade, avocados have transitioned from an exotic fruit to a grocery staple, finding a place in U.S. kitchens on a weekly basis. Last year, avocados surpassed bananas as the most valuable fruit import in the U.S. This statistic alone speaks to the immense boom that avocados have seen in the U.S. market ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

Equal Exchange Photo

In the News ... "Visitors come from around the country to view weeping statue in Hobbs"

KMID Photo

• Diocese of Las Cruces will investigate

Caleb Califano, Reporter
• KMID-TV

HOBBS, NEW MEXICO - - It's intrigued people from around the country, and they've traveled hours to just come see it. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hobbs says their statue of the Virgin Mary cries.

"This doesn't happen in Hobbs. It happens around the world or somewhere else, around the country but not in Hobbs," says Judy Ronquillo, the business manager for the church ...

• read/watch the rest of this KMID report

In the News ... "Rite of summer right on time: Vacation Bible school in Abilene"

ARN Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich

• “You walk away knowing you are loved.”

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - It was “Game On!” for Camdyn, Sam and Maddox as they followed the photographer’s instructions, striking just the right poses.

They grabbed their “Game On!” T-shirt and lined up in front of the “Game On!” backdrop in the foyer of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. For a while at least, everything at the church will revolve around the “Game On!” theme, which was selected for this year’s vacation Bible school.

“Game On!” is one of the popular themes this year for VBS, which starts at some churches as early as Monday ...

• 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.

Courtesy Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 3, 2018

END TO VIOLENCE IN GAZA - Saying Palestinians have a right to demonstrate peacefully and with dignity in their decades-long conflict with Israel, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has joined more than a dozen other Christian denominations and organizations in a joint statement calling for an end to violence in the region ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Abilene Church News"

• Special programs and services around the Big Country

Staff Report
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - From the Reporter-News, news of services, special events and programs from Abilene-area houses of faith ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Texas Baptists to honor Abilene's first female physician, 105"

ARN Photo by Greg Jaklewicz

• 1933 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Virginia Connally, Abilene’s first female physician, will be one of two recipients of the Legacy Award on Sunday from the Baptist General Convention of Texas at the historic Independence Baptist Church in southeast Texas.

Also receiving the award will be Ken Coffee, former associate director of the BGCT State Mission Commission.

Connally last year celebrated her 105th birthday.

The setting is appropriate for Connally, who made history when she opened her medical practice in downtown Abilene in September 1940, specializing in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

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

• Today, and in the days ahead

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 ... “Museum of the Southwest among sites for 2018 Summer Food program"

WTXFB Photo

• The program relies on teams of volunteers

Rich Lopez, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank will launch its 2018 Summer Food Service Program beginning Monday. Eight sites in Midland and Odessa will offer lunch and/or snack service through August. The program works to ensure that children who may be on the reduced lunch program during school will continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer break ...

... This year, the food bank is partnering with the Museum of the Southwest ...

 • read the rest of this MRT report

In the News ... "Odessa Church News"

• Today and in the days ahead, in Odessa-area houses of worship

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Coming events include worship services, classes, Bible studies, community outreach, fundraisers, mission opportunities and more ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

Including updated VBS guide!

In the News ... "Need a home but don't make much money? Habitat for Humanity El Paso might be able to help"

Photo by Carey Beamesderfer/Habitat for Humanity El Paso

• Buyers must meet financial requirements and show need

Staff Report
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - If you don't have much money but need a home, Habitat for Humanity has one in Horizon City it wants to sell you ...

... The home is just one example of what the organization does every day ...

• Read/watch the rest of this EPT 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 Ogatu Ojulu

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 2, 2018

REV. DR. NILES REIMER, BIBLE TRANSLATOR - The Rev. Dr. Niles Reimer is an unassuming presence in any setting, and that’s the way he likes it. For 90-year-old Reimer, a return visit in January to a town in Ethiopia was the chance to see dear friends and make new memories with generations of young Christians. His many contributions include translating the Anywaa Bible, which made it possible for the Anywaa people to read the Scriptures in their own language ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From ServLife International ... "Faithful in the Small Things"

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 Photo

Faithful in the Small Things

Pastors’ jobs, among other things, are to tend to others spiritual needs through teaching and encouragement. But they also have spiritual needs of their own. In no place is spiritual wellness of more importance than in the fastest growing Christian population in the world: Nepal.

In March of 2018, over ninety pastors and their families gathered for ServLife’s annual Pastors’ Conference in Pokhara, Nepal ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post from ServLife ...

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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 ...

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

In the News ... "West Texas Food Bank launches Summer Food Service Program"

Courtesy Photo

• Lunches and snacks for children in need

By Kirsten Geddes, Multimedia Journalist
• KWES-TV

PERMIAN BASIN, TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank will be launching their Summer Food Service Program for the summer of 2018.

This program helps ensure that even when school is out low-income children can receive nutritious meals.

The West Texas Food Bank will have ten different locations among Odessa, Midland, Stanton and Terlingua where they will be serving lunches and snacks to children in need.

Days for locations vary with the earliest day of service being May 29 and the last August 17.

The West Texas Food Bank anticipates serving over 1,000 meals each day for school aged children 18 and under.

 • full list of dates and locations ...

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "[VIDEO] Don’s Interview on ABC News"

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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Friday Story: "[VIDEO] Don’s Interview on ABC News"

On Monday, April 2, 2018, Free Wheelchair Mission Founder and President Don Schoendorfer was interviewed on ABC 7 News Los Angeles ...

• read the rest of this story ...

In the News ... "Minister's mission is mentoring young pastors"

ARN Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich

• “It’s been a good journey.”

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Seventy years into ministry, Jack Ridlehoover’s still got it.

He still has the ministry part, he still has the preaching part, he still has it all. He may be 87 — yes, he started preaching at age 17 — but a fitness routine and a passion for what he does keeps him as vital today as he was in May 1948 when he first preached

A group of pastors who meet regularly from September through May at the Abilene-Callahan Baptist Association office can attest to that ...

• 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.

Courtesy Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 1, 2018

2018 INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKERS - In just a few months, Presbyterian churches across the U.S. will be hosting the 2018 International Peacemakers.

This year, 10 peacemakers are expected to take part in the annual event, sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.