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.

PCUSA-OGA Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 7, 2019

IMMIGRATION SUNDAY - “I have faith that God will dry up the Rio Grande so that I may safely cross,” he said. He had been on the journey from Honduras to the U.S. for a month and a half when we met him in a migrant shelter in Arriaga, Mexico. His teenage son was traveling with him. He told us about the pressure on his son to join a gang and the lack of lawful means to support oneself in his nation. He talked of seeing people murdered in the street ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Equal Exchange Blog ... "New Legislation Will Hit the Pause Button on Mega-Mergers"

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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New Legislation Will Hit the Pause Button on Mega-Mergers

In the wake of unprecedented concentration in the agriculture and food sectors, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Jon Tester (D-MT) and Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced legislation to place a moratorium on large agribusiness, food and beverage manufacturing, and grocery retail mergers and acquisitions. Known as the Food and Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 2019, the bill would also establish a commission to review mergers, concentration, and market power in those sectors ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

• Learn how YOU can help Equal Exchange ...

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 ... "Lubbock Faith Briefs"

Courtesy Photo

• What’s going on in South Plains churches

By Erica Pauda, Reporter
• 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 ...

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

In the News ... "Odessa Church News"

• Today and in the days ahead, in Odessa-area houses of worship ... including Vacation Bible School ...

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 ...

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 Kathy Melvin

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 6, 2019

GRASSROOTS JERUSALEM TOUR - The Presbyterian delegation visiting Israel-Palestine this past spring took a unique tour of Jerusalem — one that most who visit one of the most holy cities in the world seldom see ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “Gift of Grace”

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: “Gift of Grace”

Seventeen years ago, in a small town in the Peruvian Andes, the Mora family welcomed their first child—a baby boy whom they named Johan, which means “God is gracious.”

They were a happy young family, and all seemed well for a while.

However, Johan’s parents noticed that he wasn’t developing the way they’d expected. They took him to a doctor, who diagnosed him with a rare illness called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as “brittle bone disease” ...

• Read the rest of this story ...

In the News ... “Leaders advise nonprofits on how to get financial help"

AP Photo by Jerry Lara

• Federal agencies, local banks host panel and Q&A

By Brandi Addison, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Dozens of representatives from local municipalities, nonprofits and health care gathered Thursday morning to learn the ins-and-outs of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and how they could receive financial assistance from banks as they serve their communities.

Sponsored by the Midland College Business and Economic Development Center, leaders from several federal agencies and local banks guided the audience through a presentation, panel and Q&A ...

 • 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: July 5, 2019

THE FELLOWSHIP PLACE IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - Traci Canterbury has found a spiritual home and a willing and able partner in The Fellowship Place in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Fellowship Place is one of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s 1001 New Worshiping Communities and recently accepted the Matthew 25 invitation ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

FBR Report: "Motherhood in the Conflict Zones of Burma"

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.

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FBR Photo

"Motherhood in the Conflict Zones of Burma"

Dear friends,

Long gone are the days in which war is confined to neatly delineated battlefields, and soldiers. Modern war rages in villages, backyards, and neighborhoods. War zones are littered with the crumbled remains of schools, playgrounds, churches, shops, homes, and the bodies of innocents. According to UN reports, civilian casualties account for over 90% of all war deaths, 75% of which are women and children. War today infiltrates and tears at the social fabric of communities, making active participants out of everyone, indiscriminate of gender.

Yet the world continues to see war from a predominantly male perspective ...

• 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 ...

In the News ... "Still camping"

OA Photo by Mark Sterkel

• Donation, volunteer opportunity

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The Crisis Center of West Texas have extended registrations for the 2019 Wonder Girls, open to all girls entering the 5th-8th grades 2019-20 school year, through Friday or until all spaces are full. The camp is scheduled from July 15-19 ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "Abilene teen's baptism in Spain links her faith, heritage to 'Lady in Blue'"

Photo courtesy of Catholic Diocese of San Angelo

• Continental connections, mystical experience

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - In her recurring dream, Elizabeth Flores is holding her baby daughter, Harley, in a small room in Agreda, Spain, waiting for a priest to take her.

“I’m handing her over to be baptized,” Flores said.

In reality, Harley Flores is 15 and a student at Abilene High School. But in May, Elizabeth and Harley actually were in Agreda and Harley was baptized by a Catholic bishop in a basilica ...

• 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 4, 2019

REV. DR. LLOYD JOHN OGILVIE - On June 5, the Rev. Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie completed his baptism at 88 years old and passed into the hands of his loving Savior.

Known for many accomplishments in his life, not the least of which was his 23 years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood in Los Angeles, Ogilvie was perhaps best known for his time serving as chaplain of the Senate from 1995 to 2003 ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @theOutreachFndn ... "Reaching Out Further" for June 2019

Engaging God's people in God's work in the world!

The mission of The Outreach Foundation is "connecting Presbyterians to build the church's capacity to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ." with convictions "committed to the historic Christian faith as it is revealed in God's Word and expressed by the ecumenical creeds and in the Reformed confessions" and priorities geared toward "helping the church live out its missional calling ... building the capacity of the global church, especially where the church is vulnerable or growing rapidly."

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• Roy Soto discusses Shalom Teaching Ministry

Watch as Roy Soto joins Juan Sarmiento in The Outreach Foundation office to discuss his Shalom Teaching Ministry in Costa Rica ...



• Listen to the new "Changing Mission" spisode

Iranian Ministries Coordinator, Sasan Tavassoli, shares how God is working through satellite and internet broadcast television programs to reach the growing number of Iranian Christians, whose government persecutes them for their faith, as well as those living in diaspora throughout Europe.
Listen to the podcast ...

• "Connecting Mission Leaders" conference set for October

Connecting Mission Leaders brings together Presbyterian mission leaders from ECO, EPC and PCUSA churches. This is a great opportunity for missiological reflection, worship and prayer, building relationships for new collaboration in mission, sharing best practices, and more. CML is an ideal gathering for local church mission leaders (staff, mission committee members, etc.) who are passionate about God’s mission in the world and who want to be more effective mission leaders and mission catalysts in their local church contexts.
More information ...

• Support the Outreach Foundation and its mission

The Outreach Foundation Depends upon the generous financial support of mission-minded individuals and congregations in order to do our work. Your contribution, regardless of the amount, helps expand Christ-centered evangelistic global mission.
More information ...

From @austinseminary ... "We appreciate you!"

• Thank you to everyone who donated to the Annual Fund!

Gifts to the Annual Fund provide much-needed resources for the formation of Christian leaders. We could not do this work without your prayers and financial support.

Visit Our Website

In the News ... "Clean-up held at Catholic Cemetery"

FSP Photo by Aurora Sain

• “The cemetery is sacred ground”

By Aurora Sain, Reporter
• Fort Stockton Pioneer

FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS - The Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery also known as St. Joseph's Cemetery, held a cleanup day last weekend in order to enforce rules and make the grave sites more organized ...

• Read the rest of this FSP report ...

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... TODAY

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Their mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, they seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Invitation to Prayer ... TODAY

Dear Intercessors,

I hope you enjoy our first Faces of Children monthly digest, a new format I'm trying out. After getting your feedback a few weeks ago, many of you suggested that a monthly digest might be a happy medium between ceasing a newsletter altogether and continuing to send something every week. We'll try this out for a few months, so plan on looking for the next digest in early August.

In the meantime, we will continue to meet locally every Wednesday at 11:30 in the prayer closet at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Please join us in lifting up the needs of vulnerable children in our community and around the world!

Sincerely, Carrie McKean

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JULY Faces of Children Digest

There are so many needs facing children in the world today. Each week in July, I'd like to invite you to join me in praying for migrant children, a growing crisis which has both global and local consequences. I'm offering particular ways to pray for ...

Week One: Changing Crisis

CNN Photo

The border situation changes all the time. See what's happening now ...

Please pray for truth and clarity to rise to the surface in the midst of all the confusion.

Blessings,

Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153

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 Ferguson

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 3, 2019

PC(USA) PARTNER CEDEPCA - Up against some appalling facts — 119 Guatemalan women each day report a violent attack against them and nearly 62,000 women and girls 19 and under became pregnant during the first six months of 2018, many of them the result of rape — CEDEPCA, a longtime partner of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was determined to empower girls in a new way.

That innovation, a Presbyterian Mission Agency delegation found out at CEDEPCA’s Guatemala City compound, is called Project Tamar, named for the biblical daughter of King David who was raped by her half-brother ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Partners Blog: “Future Leaders”

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

“Future Leaders”

Early childhood programs provide Karen children, who live in vulnerable areas near the Thai-Burma border, with a safe environment to strengthen their academic development to prepare them to be ready to enter primary schools. Early childhood projects have helped many children access the early childhood education they need. In the 2018-2019 academic year, Partners supported 119 children and all of the 119 students finished nursery school and are now getting ready to continue to primary education next year ...

• 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 ... 40,000 pounds of protein donated to South Plains Food Bank"

Photo Provided

• Part of Smithfield’s 2019 Helping Hungry Homes tour

Staff Report
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - South Plains Food Bank’s annual Summer of Sharing ended this week with Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Food King teaming up to donate more than 40,000 pounds of protein toward the event ...

 • Read the rest of this LAJ report ..

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... Tomorrow

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Their mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, they seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Invitation to Prayer ... Tomorrow

Dear Intercessors,

I hope you enjoy our first Faces of Children monthly digest, a new format I'm trying out. After getting your feedback a few weeks ago, many of you suggested that a monthly digest might be a happy medium between ceasing a newsletter altogether and continuing to send something every week. We'll try this out for a few months, so plan on looking for the next digest in early August.

In the meantime, we will continue to meet locally every Wednesday at 11:30 in the prayer closet at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Please join us in lifting up the needs of vulnerable children in our community and around the world!

Sincerely, Carrie McKean

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JULY Faces of Children Digest

There are so many needs facing children in the world today. Each week in July, I'd like to invite you to join me in praying for migrant children, a growing crisis which has both global and local consequences. I'm offering particular ways to pray for ...

Week One: Changing Crisis

CNN Photo

The border situation changes all the time. See what's happening now ...

Please pray for truth and clarity to rise to the surface in the midst of all the confusion.

Blessings,

Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153

In the News ... "Odessan crafts for a cause"

OA Photo by Mark Rogers

• Wants to team up with church group that does similar work for the homeless population, utilizing plastic bags

By Courtney Borchert, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Like many Americans, Linda Henry’s home accumulated more plastic grocery bags than she could keep up with. She said with help from online videos she gained a new hobby that would simultaneously recycle the waste and help others in need.

Henry crochets sleeping mats for individuals experiencing homelessness using hundreds of grocery bags ... ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 2, 2019

RESURRECTION HOPE - There are two constants in life: change and Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. In Christ, we live and move and have our being. To be a follower of his is to be forever mindful of the cross, of death’s defeat — and of resurrection power. And, as Wendell Berry wrote in one of his well-known poems, “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front,” we, the church, are to “practice resurrection.” ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @chinaaid : "ChinaAid signs letter urging U.S. State Department to increase refugee resettlement for persons fleeing religious persecution "

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 signs letter urging U.S. State Department to increase refugee resettlement for persons fleeing religious persecution
Distributed by ChinaAid, June 2019 ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – China Aid is one of 42 signatories on a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking the government to strengthen refugee resettlement for those experiencing religious persecution ...

• More on this story from China Aid ...

Invitation to Prayer from Faces of Children ... Wednesday

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Their mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, they seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Invitation to Prayer ... Wednesday

Dear Intercessors,

I hope you enjoy our first Faces of Children monthly digest, a new format I'm trying out. After getting your feedback a few weeks ago, many of you suggested that a monthly digest might be a happy medium between ceasing a newsletter altogether and continuing to send something every week. We'll try this out for a few months, so plan on looking for the next digest in early August.

In the meantime, we will continue to meet locally every Wednesday at 11:30 in the prayer closet at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Please join us in lifting up the needs of vulnerable children in our community and around the world!

Sincerely, Carrie McKean

---

JULY Faces of Children Digest

There are so many needs facing children in the world today. Each week in July, I'd like to invite you to join me in praying for migrant children, a growing crisis which has both global and local consequences. I'm offering particular ways to pray for ...

Week One: Changing Crisis

CNN Photo

The border situation changes all the time. See what's happening now ...

Please pray for truth and clarity to rise to the surface in the midst of all the confusion.

Blessings,

Carrie

Carrie J. McKean
Faces of Children Director
First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas
(432) 684-7821 x153

In the News ... "Safe house looks to reopen"

Courtesy Photo

• Will be run by First Response Ministries and Dorman Herman

By Aurora Sain, Reporter
• Fort Stockton Pioneer

FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS - After abruptly closing their doors in March, a local safe house is fundraising in an effort to reopen their doors.

The Lilah Smith Safe House was closed earlier this year after a press release was circulated from the Crisis Center of West Texas citing staffing turnover and distance from the administrative offices in Odessa.

Organizers say that they have the staffing in place for when the shelter reopens ...

• Read the rest of this FSP report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 1, 2019

INCLUSIVE STEWARDSHIP - A quick search on the internet leads to countless facts about shifting American diversity. For example, in 2007, Rodríguez and García joined the top 10 list of most popular last names in the United States. And, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, beginning in 2030, the country will grow more by international migration than birth within its borders.

As a former vice moderator of the General Assembly, I’ve observed that these national statistics are parallel with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s predominantly white demographics, historically hovering at over 90 percent throughout the denomination’s history. More often than not, this fact is placed in a conversation about how the church must catch up to the world outside of our walls if we want to “survive” (prioritizing mere existence before spiritual thriving) ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.