In the News ... "Man hitchhikes to Midland for work, finds more than a job"

MRT Photo by James Durbin

Jimmy Patterson,
Special to the Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Six weeks ago, Ryan O'Neal, a 27-year-old laid-off automotive worker in Athens, Ga., waited all night in the cold outside the doors of a Georgia truck stop hoping to find someone willing to give him a ride.

It wasn't until almost 5 a.m. when O'Neal, cold, frustrated and close to giving up, convinced a truck driver headed west to take him along.

Coincidentally, O'Neal was headed to Midland-Odessa, and the trucker -- who was hauling a section of an oil rig -- also was headed here. Five states, 1,200 miles and 24 hours later, the trucker dropped him off at the Wal-Mart at the Rankin Highway and Interstate 20.

He tossed his possessions -- a suitcase, bedroll and a Bible -- into a shopping cart and walked into the store. O'Neal said he never felt any lower in his life than on that day: In a strange town, looking for work and homeless. One after another, he approached shoppers asking if they knew where he could find work. And one after another, no one could help him.

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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 stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 9, 2013

EQUATORIAL GUINEA - The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Equatorial Guinea (IRPGE) is the oldest partner for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the Central Africa region. Our history goes back to 1850, when the early Presbyterian missionaries landed on the island of Corisco. The life of the IRPGE has not been an easy one. Spanish colonial authorities restricted the work of Protestant missions and favored that of Catholic missions. Later, under the independence government, the Protestant churches were persecuted. Today, while no longer facing persecution, the church sees itself marginalized by its small size and lack of access to the authorities of the country.

CLICK HERE to read more.

ChinaAid: Awarding 2013 "Religious Freedom and Rule of Law Defenders Award" to Blind Lawyer Chen Guangcheng

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 Awards 2013 "Religious Freedom and Rule of Law Defenders Award" to Blind Lawyer Chen Guangcheng
Distributed by ChinaAid, April, 2013 ...

MIDLAND, TEXAS, USA – ChinaAid presented blind Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng with its second annual "Religious Freedom and Rule of Law Defenders Award" Tuesday night to honor his years of work in defending human rights in China, most significantly in opposing the violent measures used to forcibly enforce the one-child policy.

• more on this story from China Aid

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we 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).

Be Joyful

"Somehow joy is much harder to express than sadness. It seems that we have more words for sickness than for health, more for abnormal conditions than for normal conditions. Does this mean there is less joy in life than sadness? Perhaps. But it is also possible that joy is in fact a deeper more intimate, more 'normal' condition than sadness and pain, and therefore harder to articulate.

For Jesus, joy is clearly a deeper and more truthful state of life than sorrow. He promises joy as the sign of new life ...

Jesus connects joy with the promise of seeing him again. In this sense, it is similar to the joy we experience when a dear friend returns after a long absence. But Jesus makes it clear that joy is more than that. It is 'his own joy,' flowing from the love he shares with his Creator and leading to completion."

From Lifesigns: Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ecstasy in Christian Perspective
by Henri J.M. Nouwen 

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Creator is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As God has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Creator's commandments and abide in that love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. John 15:5-11 (NRSV)

"Loving God, let my life be a witness to your commandments, let me not be as a withered branch that is thrown into the fire and burned. May I pray to you in joy and in times of adversity. Amen."

From Lent and Easter Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen
compiled by Judy Bauer

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

Thank you so much for your continued faithfulness in prayer for the children of our local and global communities. Your prayers are powerful, loving gifts for the children of the world! If you have prayer requests or celebrations you would like to share with the Faces of Children community, please send those to me.

The Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, with lunch ($5) and fellowship to follow.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

Celebrating the joy Jesus brings into the lives of us all,

Chris

In the News ... "Walking To Remember Lives Lost During The Holocaust"

Josh Navarro, Reporter
KWES-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - Dozens walked the streets of Odessa Sunday to remember over six million Jewish children, men and women who were killed during the Holocaust during the years of World War II. They were wearing T-shirts and waving flags during their event called "Walk of Remembrance."

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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 stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 8, 2013

CAMEROON - The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) has grown from a regional to a national church, experiencing spiritual, financial, and numerical growth. Although the PCC is endowed with plenty of opportunities and potential, it is also saddled with enormous challenges in an environment of penury and pain.

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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 7, 2013

Dave and his Kenyan friend
Joseph get washed up!

MINUTE FOR MISSION: THE OUTREACH FOUNDATION - When his Charlottesville, Virginia, congregation initiated a prayer-partner program with Tumaini Children’s Center in Nyeri, Kenya, Dave was partnered with Joseph, a 15-year-old boy living at the center.

While other congregation members regularly received letters from their student partners, Dave received only one short letter from Joseph. Dave was disappointed that Joseph didn’t write more often.

Through The Outreach Foundation, Dave’s congregation, Meadows Presbyterian, organized a mission trip to Nyeri to visit Tumaini and meet the children. Dave decided to go on the trip, hoping to meet JosepH.

CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Churches to gather for 54th lectureship event"

Audrie Palmer, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - More than 50 Church of Christ ministers from around the country will gather in Midland next week to give expository sermons on the Bible at the 54th annual West Texas Lectureship.

The event will be held April 13-18 at the Lee Street Church of Christ, 101 N. Lee Street.

Ministers will each have 30 minutes to present a lecture using this year's theme, "Upon this Rock - Back to the Basics!"

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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 stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 6, 2013

Dr. Yacouba, a medical student at
the University of Niamey, volunteers with
the health ministry of the church.

NIGER - Niger’s health and demographic statistics can seem daunting. Life expectancy is around 50 years. Twenty percent of all children die before their fifth birthday. One in seven women dies in childbirth or from related complications. There is one physician for every 53,000 people—a total of about 325 doctors for this country of 17 million inhabitants.

As a result, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) partner in Niger, the Evangelical Church in the Republic of Niger, is answering the call to build up the health ministry of the church to serve both its members and the country as a whole. The church has chosen to dedicate its scarce resources to this ministry. They know the task at hand is difficult, but they believe that with focused prayer, a concerted effort to tap into the talents and gifts of church members, and the help of ecumenical partners and friends, God will create a way forward for them.

CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Jubilee Center Food Pantry to host fundraiser "

Meredith Moriak, Reporter

Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Midland's Jubilee Center, a nonprofit outreach and food pantry, will hold its inaugural fundraiser at the Midland Downtown Farmer's Market from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 20.

The "Farm to Table" fundraiser is a family-friendly event and will feature the Cory Yeager Band, dinner, dancing, face painting, a clown with balloon animals and a silent auction.

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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 stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 5, 2013

Rev. Dr. Ajah, in front of
the library at Hugh Goldie

NIGERIA - For several decades, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) educated its pastors and lay leaders in partnership with the Anglican and Methodist churches of Nigeria. But a few years ago, when one of those partners backed out, the PCN stepped out and established theological training centers of its own. Although the task has not been easy, the church is proud of how far it has come.

Two seminaries have been developed by the church, Hugh Goldie Lay and Theological Training Institute in Arochukwu, on the grounds of a former Church of Scotland mission station, and Essien Ukpabio Presbyterian Theological College in Itu, located at a former leper colony and hospital. Both are affiliated with local Nigerian universities, and both offer bachelor’s and master’s degree courses for prospective church leaders.

CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Blind activist speaks on Chinese communism"

Audrie Palmer, Reporter

ChinaAid founder Bob Fu presents Chen
Guangcheng with an award during a
banquet at the Midland Country Club.
Photo: James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - 130,000 ... the number of pregnant women a Chinese civil rights activist said that he documented in his local area of China that were forced to have an abortion; 600,000 ... the number of family members, friends and neighbors that were tortured and arrested for helping to hide the pregnant women.

Chen Guangcheng, who made international headlines last year when he escaped to the United States, spoke to a crowd of 225 Tuesday evening at the Midland Country Club.

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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 stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 4, 2013

GHANA - The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) congregation in Legon has an affinity for evangelism, having planted several churches in the Volta Region. It raises funds every year to support evangelism, but most of what is raised pays for transportation to and from remote outreach venues, because people donate their time.

The congregation recognized that having its own vehicle would cut costs, but $27,000, the price of a second-hand bus, was a lot to raise.

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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 3, 2013

AFRICA (continued) - The most successful programs I have seen are those in which the community assesses its own needs and strengths, comes up with local solutions, and mobilizes its resources to respond to the need. Here are a few examples: the Presbyterian Church in South Sudan has begun a school staffed by volunteers for children who have fled to Akobo because of interethnic conflict; Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger evangelists are responding to adult illiteracy rates of 72 percent in a Christian population of less than 1 percent by conducting literacy classes in which the gospel is shared; the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Zambia is running community schools for street children; and Ethiopia Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus members are constructing toilets to combat hygiene-related diseases.

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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 2, 2013

AFRICA - Several years ago it was common when doing socioeconomic analysis to refer to the haves and have-nots, terminology that places much of the African continent into a have-not box that simply does not fit.

My experience in working with the churches in Africa has been that these churches have many points of strength: vibrant worship, powerful theology, a strong commitment to justice, effective evangelism, and a deep understanding of living in community, including extravagant hospitality and sharing of resources. And many of these strengths are areas that we in the Western world are lacking—yes, we are often the have-nots!

CLICK HERE to read more.

ChinaAid: Blind Chinese Lawyer Chen Guangcheng to Meet President George W. Bush

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.

Blind Chinese Lawyer Chen Guangcheng to Meet President George W. Bush
Distributed by ChinaAid, April, 2013 ...

DALLAS, TEXAS, USA – ChinaAid and The George W. Bush Institute are co-hosting a live online chat with blind Chinese lawyer and human rights activist Chen Guangcheng about freedom and the rule of law on Wednesday April 3.

• more on this story from China Aid

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 stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: April 1, 2013

PRESBYTERY OF THE YUKON, ALASKA - The Presbytery of Yukon’s 23 congregations and their 2,434 members are spread over an area of Alaska similar in size to the area between Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas. Four language/cultural groups make up the presbytery: Iñupiaq, English, Korean, and St. Lawrence Island Yup’ik. Airfare from one end of the presbytery to the other can cost over a thousand dollars.

Project Y.E.S. (Youth Exploring Service) is a youth leadership program of the presbytery and Chapel in the Mountains, located in Anaktuvuk Pass and directed by Dr. Sally Johnston. Project Y.E.S. seeks to empower Iñupiat youth to be leaders within God’s church by equipping them to share faith with peers and to lead their communities in caring for creation. Project Y.E.S. lifts up both Iñupiat and Christian values as the sustaining heritage upon which God builds a hopeful future for the next generation of Iñupiat society.

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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 31, 2013

MINUTE FOR MISSION: RESSURECTION OF THE LORD, EASTER. ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING - The prophet Isaiah speaks of a time when a new creation will come to pass, when “they shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. . . ; they shall not plant and another eat” (65:21–22). Haitian farmer Childeric Placid, who also serves as a facilitator and community trainer with longtime Presbyterian Hunger Program partner the Mouvman Peyizan Papay, had the opportunity to taste the reality of this promise as the result of a seed-and-tool program funded by the One Great Hour of Sharing after the 2010 earthquake: “The seeds, when they arrived, were deliverance for me. I was able to plant corn and Congo beans. I’m eating the [harvest] even now, and in the future I will be able to plant the saved seeds, and I’ll eat again. Yesterday, I ate from my garden. Can you imagine? You have a product at your house that you made; you didn’t have to buy it in the market to be able to eat. I’m not like other people that don’t even have a cup of beans. Do you see how you’d feel? How you’d feel like you are a man? That’s what this is for me.”

CLICK HERE to read more.

Lenten Devotional for Sunday, March 31

Dr. Jim Denison's 2013 collection of Lenten devotionals is entitled, "If My People..." and comes at a time that he believes "a Fifth Great Awakening is sweeping the nations, as more people are coming to Christ than ever before in Christian history. How can you join this great movement of God's Spirit?" He goes on to write, "in this year's Lenten devotional guide, we will walk each day with King Solomon as he leads his nation into God's presence and glory. We will commit ourselves to our Father's purpose and experience his transforming power. And we will claim his promise: 'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land' (2 Chronicles 7:14). 'If My People ...' is more than a Lenten guide - it is God's invitation to intimacy with him. Please join us on this joyous journey."

CLICK HERE for a free copy of Dr. Denison's 2013 Advent Devotional (in a downloadable/printable Adobe .pdf file)

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Sunday, March 31
Easter Sunday: Will you serve the King?

The day that changed history began like any other. The sun arose over the Holy City as millions were still crowded into Jerusalem from Passover. The death of Jesus of Nazareth was not an unusual event—Rome cruci ed its enemies and insurrectionists all the time. The authorities were certain that their plot had succeeded, that this upstart was dead and gone. But with that single sunrise, the cruci ed carpenter became the resurrected Lord.

The stone rolled over his grave was but a pebble compared to the Rock of Ages inside. Hardened Roman guards trembled and fainted. Cowardly disciples became fearless apostles. A edgling band of frightened followers became the mightiest movement the world has ever seen. Eleven men became more than two billion believers today. All because of Easter.

His disciples' changed lives are testimony to the reality of the resurrection. Men who denied Christ to servants now preached him to the highest authorities in the land. People don't die for a lie, but more than a million Christians died in the rst generations of their movement, all of them for the One they knew to be their risen Lord. On the day he returns to this planet, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

A poet said it this way:

He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until he was 30. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an o ce. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where he was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself.

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While he was dying his executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth – his coat. When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Twenty long centuries have come and gone, and today he is the centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not a ected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.
Is he your King? Where will you serve in his Kingdom?

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Prior to founding the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture, James C. Denison, Ph.D., was pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church, a 10,000-member congregation in Dallas, Texas. He also pastored churches in Midland and Mansfield, Texas, and in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Dallas Baptist University. He is also the the author of seven books.

Rolling Mission

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.



The new and improved model!

Want to take one for a test drive? During normal business hours, visit the lobby at the Texas Street entrance of First Presbyterian Church-Midland, at the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, on the west side of downtown Midland. You can give the gift of mobility. The cost of $72.00 is a bargain to us ... but it is a life-changing gift to impoverished and disabled recipients ... and for a limited time, your contribution will be matched, reaching not one - but TWO recipients. Please note on your check "Wheelchair Matching Gift."