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.

Photos by Michael Fitzer/Film 180

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 22, 2019

SANCTUARY FAITH COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TEAM - The Rev. Laura Bentley, pastor of Sanctuary Faith Community, felt called to be a pastor — but she had the best pastoral conversations sitting at bars with people over food and beer ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Catholic Diocese of El Paso hosts prayer gathering for Walmart shooting victims"

EPT Photo

• Memorial a way for family members as well as the community to heal

Staff Report
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - The Catholic Diocese of El Paso on Monday prayed for those who died and survived the Aug. 3 Walmart shooting ...

• Read 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 Provided

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 21, 2019

SAN GABRIEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - San Gabriel Presbyterian Church in Georgetown, Texas, has long supported the work of mission co-workers Jeff and Christi Boyd in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But when the Boyds visited their church and they heard about Congolese children like Serge, they knew they could do more, even with limited resources ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Partners Blog: “A Great Opportunity for Us”

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

“A Great Opportunity for Us”

These Karen students want to express their appreciation and thankfulness to all those who have given to allow them the opportunity to study to take the GED exam ...

• 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 ... "Abilene Christian prof Jerry Taylor to speak on 'necessity' of courage"

Photo Provided

• Registration will remain open through August 25

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - “Why Courage Matters” will be the topic for a Lunch & Learn on August 29 at Abilene Christian University.

The public is invited to hear Jerry Taylor, associate professor of Bible, missions and ministry and executive director of the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action at ACU ...

• Read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Hunter calls for outreach"

OA Photo by Jacob Ford

• Taking the love of Jesus outside the church is key

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Rev. Michael Ray “Mike” Hunter believes the best kind of church is one that works outside the church walls.

Pastor of the First Christian Church at 1301 W. Louisiana Ave. since 2009, Hunter says his congregation of 225 people has distinguished itself by taking its beliefs to a pre-school, a food pantry and anywhere else it can show people the love of Jesus ...

• 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.

Provided Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 20, 2019

PENTECOST OFFERING - While serving as a Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteer (YAV), Cherokee Adams learned about the heavy toll that human trafficking exacts from women caught in its clutches.

At Eden House in New Orleans, Adams built relationships with women who had been exploited for financial gain. Human trafficking survivors come to Eden House for a new start in life. Most struggle with a past that includes social ostracism, brushes with the law and drug addiction ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @chinaaid : "ChinaAid President Bob Fu Presents At Voice Of Martyrs Advance Conference In Colorado"

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

ChinaAid President Bob Fu Presents At Voice Of Martyrs Advance Conference In Colorado
Distributed by ChinaAid, July 2019 ...

ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO – ChinaAid President Bob Fu presented at the latest Voice of the Martyrs Advance Conference on Saturday, joined by several other speakers who aimed to inspire attendees with "firsthand testimonies of how persecuted Christians are advancing God’s kingdom” ...

• More on this story from China Aid ...

In the News ... "Heavenly deals: First Christian's two-day sale prepares church to 'move forward'"

ARN Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich

• Enterprising effort by church in transition

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Judy Chaney pointed to gently used sofas and chairs sitting in the middle of a large building filled with things you would expect to see at a garage sale.

The sofas and chairs came from the youth room at First Christian Church and are now on display in the church’s activity building.

“It’s been very loved,” Chaney said.

The same could be said for every item in the building and the church itself ...

• 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.

Photo by Laura Hedgecock

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 19, 2019

FAITH IN ACTION - According to Karen Linnell, elder of First Presbyterian Church of Farmington in Farmington Hills, Michigan, “It’s not often that you get to see a dream come true, especially when it turns out to be more meaningful than you imagined.”

Linnell was referring to a $350,000 gift from an anonymous donor, which is inspiring congregations and community partners to work together to put their faith into action through new and existing mission initiatives in communities across the Presbytery of Detroit ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Volunteers needed to survey Abilene's homeless population"

• Training sessions set for August 20 and 27 at Love & Care Ministries

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Volunteers are needed to assist with the 2019 Summer Point in Time Count, aimed at getting an exact count of the homeless in Abilene.

The count is sponsored by the West Texas Homeless Network. The count will take place 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 29 ...

• Read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Houses of Faith: West Side Baptist moved to present location in 1975"

Editor's Note: The Standard-Times will spotlight a different San Angelo house of faith each week during 2019.

SAST File Photo

• Need to relocate arose with advent of new expressway

By Matthew McDaniel, Reporter
• San Angelo Standard Times

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - West Side Baptist Church, 3980 W. Houston Harte Expressway, was originally located near the intersection of Garfield and Dallas streets, established in September of 1949 by the Rev. E.B. James ...

• Read the rest of this SAST 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 Mari Evans

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 18, 2019

YOUTH IN THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD - Starting this reflection about youth in the church while an Old Testament king is on my mind might seem like a strange place to begin. My “today” mind is full of the images I am enjoying on social media of young people participating in summer mission immersions, camps, service projects and other summer activities. But my “writing” mind is thinking about what King David, has to offer us about youth in the church and the world ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Equal Exchange Blog ... "Building Community Through Shared Space"

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 Community Through Shared Space

Equal Exchange has always been about building authentic relationships. We want people to reconnect to where food comes from, to engage around each product supply chain, to understand that there are people and ecosystems behind our tea, chocolate and coffee. Equal Exchange also believes in alternatives. We seek to share our cooperative business model- to resist against business as usual and that people can be put before profit.

In 2017 we launched an organizing effort to build an Equal Exchange community ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post

Equal Exchange Photo

• Learn how YOU can help Equal Exchange ...

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 ... "Memorial event to feed homeless planned in honor of Lacy Connell"

• Monday, August 19, at Wesley United Methodist Church

By Rosanna Aguilera, Reporter
• San Angelo Standard Times

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - riends and family of Lacy Connell have planned a memorial event to feed the homeless.

Connell, who died April 26 in a vehicle crash, emailed local chef Richard Lopez the day before she died about an idea to cook food for the homeless, according to Lopez.

Her loved ones wanted to carry out the event in her honor.

Lacy's 1st Annual Feed the Need Memorial will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 301 W. 18th Street ...

• Read the rest of this SAST report

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

• Here's what's going on at church near you

By Matthew McDaniel, Reporter
• San Angelo Standard Times

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - From the Standard-Times, news of special events and programs from Concho Valley houses of faith ...

• Read the rest of this SAST report

In the News ... "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 ...

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: August 17, 2019

MONIQUE MISENGA MUKUNA, CONGOLESE PEACEKEEPER - People used to tell Monique Misenga Mukuna’s father that he did not have children because he had more girls than boys — 11 girls and three boys, to be precise.

In many African cultures, including Mukuna’s native Democratic Republic of Congo, women and girls have second-class status, not enjoying many of the advantages of men and boys. Mukuna’s father wasn’t having that ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “Great Confidence”

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: “Great Confidence”

Phaninder is a happily-married father of a three-year-old boy.

He’s an engineering graduate who had been operating his own fabrication plant in eastern India.

However, when a spinal cord injury left him paralyzed two years ago, he could no longer run the plant and was forced to shut it down ...

• Read the rest of this story ...