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 of Kohar

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 24, 2020

ARMENIAN CHRISTIANS - “We were only surviving, not living,” Kohar recalled of the war years since 2011 — before her family fled Syria.

When sniper-fire hit her husband, Jan, getting medical care for his foot was a battle — prices were skyrocketing and doctors were scarce. The wealthy who could leave already had. Like everyone left in the rubble of the once prosperous, diverse city of Aleppo, these two minimum-wage earners needed help. The Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP) — part of a network of churches and charities giving hope to the desperate — came alongside with health and social services.

Kohar held out hope until September 2016, when ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

FBR Report: "FBR Relief Team Training at Tha U Wah Camp 2019"

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

"FBR Relief Team Training at Tha U Wah Camp 2019"

27 December 2019
Karen State, Burma

Thank you for your love, support, and prayers. Here are photos of the teams finishing up their training as they prepare to go on relief missions to areas under attack and threat of attack by the Burma Army. This year we had men and women from Arakan, Chin, Lahu, Lisu, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Naga, and Shan ethnic groups representing eastern, western, northern, and southern Burma. The theme of the training is love and to help the people and get the news out ...

• 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 ...

God bless you,

Dave, family and teams

“LOVE EACH OTHER.
UNITE AND WORK FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND PEACE.
FORGIVE AND DON’T HATE EACH OTHER.
PRAY WITH FAITH, ACT WITH COURAGE, NEVER SURRENDER.”

In the News ... "Abilene Church News"

• ‘EXALT 2020’ coming to Convention Center

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - EXALT 2020, a citywide night or worship and prayer, will be held at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St., at 6 p.m. Jan. 26. The event is sponsored by 1-Kingdom, a local organization of pastors, civic leaders, and citizens. The public is invited to the free event ...

• 1-Kingdom website ...

In the News ... "Tech and religious text come together at museum lecture"

MRT Photo by Jacy Lewis

• "There’s this profound interconnectedness"

By Rich Lopez, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

ODESSA, TEXAS - Joe Weaks, co-pastor of Connection Christian Church, has a specifically keen interest in biblical manuscripts. When asked to do a lecture at the Ellen Noël Art Museum in conjunction with its “Sacred Scripts, 1,000 Years of Religious Texts” exhibition, he was all-in ...

 • 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 Photograph

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 23, 2020

BOARD UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS - Last summer, the Rev. Dr. José Irizarry took a mission trip to Puerto Rico with 10 teenagers from his church. They knew he’d been a university professor and administrator, and on a break from repairing houses, they circled him, wanting how-tos on college life. Irizarry describes the trip as “part work, part worship and part listening.”

Fortunately for the youth from St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Devon, Pennsylvania, Irizarry is as practiced at listening and responding as he is at being an educator ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.-

Teichert Family Update ... “What can you do for me?”

The family of Karl and Jenny Teichert are serving the Lord as missionaries with OC Africa, in South Africa. They moved to Johannesburg in November, 1997 with their four children; Ann, Scott, Stephen and John. Karl serves as the Southern Africa Director of the Southern Africa Regional Team. Their vision is to see a healthy, Bible-based church established in every unreached village and community in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and beyond. Their strategy is to partner with key African church leaders to research, train, and mobilize the body of Christ to complete the Great Commission. They are striving to equip local leaders in Southern Africa to reach their nations for Christ and send missionaries into other countries as well.

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“What can you do for me?”

Dear Family and friends,

I want to thank many of you who have been praying for the ministry in Finetown and to give a brief history, as well as describe the opportunities that I have had the privilege of being a part of for many years.

Finetown is an informal settlement about 45 kilometers from our home. The population is about 20,000 people, with an unemployment rate of over 80 percent. I serve a project called Tsoaranang (“Joining Hands”), based in the home of Mama Florina, a 70-year-old widow and mother to 10 orphan children ...


... One of our Southern Africa team associates, Gabriel Francis, works with a ministry called Africa Skills. Africa Skills provides entrepreneurial coaching and mentoring for people who have small businesses in order to further develop the entrepreneurs and their businesses.

My dream has always been to help the caregivers become more self-sustainable ...

• Read the rest of this update ...

With a grateful heart,

Jenny

• If you would like to give a special year-end gift, please visit this OC website link ...

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OC Africa is an interdenominational ministry committed to developing, equipping, and mobilizing church leaders to multiply healthy, Bible-based churches in every community in Southern Africa and the world. OC is a faith-based mission who depends on the Lord to provide committed, financial supporters and partners. The contributions from these individuals help generate ministry opportunities around the world, impact missionaries and their global work, and provide a means for the International Mobilization Center to function. CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can be a part of mobilizing church leaders around the world by donating to OC.

In the News ... "Lubbock choirs join to celebrate MLK in gospel night"

LAJ Photo by Brad Tollefson

• Mantra of the council and the four-day program is “We Shall Overcome”

By Emily Boyes, Reporter
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - Before starting their joyful noise, musicians warmed up with smooth jazz music to match the chattering of those attending while awaiting Monday evening’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.

Then came an evening of song and praise, as the Martin Luther King Commemorative Council of Lubbock hosted its annual M.L.K. Gospel Musical night at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center ...

 • Read the rest of this LAJ report ..

FBR Report: "Rangers with Flags for Freedom"

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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"Rangers with Flags for Freedom"

20 January 2020
Karen State, Burma

Dear friends,

After our Good Life Club program and Run 4 Relief in Tha Da Der Village, the Rangers carried flags representing Burma’s ethnic groups and our friends around the world back to camp across the fields. Below is a video of their walk ...



Thank you, and God bless you,

Dave Eubank, family and teams

• CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can get involved in FBR and its mission ...

“LOVE EACH OTHER.
UNITE AND WORK FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND PEACE.
FORGIVE AND DON’T HATE EACH OTHER.
PRAY WITH FAITH, ACT WITH COURAGE, NEVER SURRENDER.”

In the News ... "Local soup kitchen helps those in need"

KMID/KPEJ Photo

• How to donate or volunteer

Staff Report
• KMID-TV/KPEJ-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - From serving hot breakfast in the mornings to serving a nice dinner in the evenings Breaking Bread is doing their part to serve the community ...

 • Read/watch the rest of this KMID/KPEJ 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 Rich Copley

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 22, 2020

GOLDEN RULE 2020 - Do you find yourself wishing political leaders would speak more respectfully to one another as they share their perspectives on important issues?

The National Institute for Civil Discourse is coordinating a yearlong effort — leading up to the 2020 national election — to pray for the healing of divisions in the United States and to promote use of the Golden Rule in politics ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Volunteers give back to community with West Texas Food Bank on MLK Day"

KWES Photo

• Volunteers filled backpacks, senior boxes and outreach boxes

By Kirsten Geddes, Multimedia Journalist
• KWES-TV

MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - Volunteers at the West Texas Food Bank spent their holiday giving back to the community. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, volunteers in Midland and Odessa worked to feed people across the Permian Basin ...

 • Read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

In the News ... "Photo Album: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service with Texas Tech UHSC"

EPT Photo by Mark Lambie

• Health fairs around El Paso over the weekend

By Mark Lambie, Photographer/Reporter
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - Homeless El Pasoans were given health screenings at several locations as part of Texas Tech's MLK Day of Service ...

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

In the News ... "Mikeska reflects on Nepal after 61st mission trip"

• “I am humbled by all the people that hear my story and want to help every year.”

Contributed Photo

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - With 61 mission trips to the Himalayan nation of Nepal so far, local volunteer and philanthropist Terry Mikeska is already busy planning his next sojourn to the country, as efforts by his foundation to ease suffering and increase educational opportunities continue. ...

• 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 Rich Copley

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 22, 2020

PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE ON SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE - The woman from Iraq was dressed completely in black.

It was the first time she had been to Refugee Family Literacy at Memorial Drive Ministries in Stone Mountain, Georgia, in two weeks. When Jennifer Green, director of the program, asked what had happened, she learned the woman’s brother had been killed by a car bomb in Iraq.

Green gave the woman a hug, told her she was sad for her, and took her to class, explaining to her teacher what had happened ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Villarreal finds many ways to serve community"

FSP Photo by Aurora Sain

• Includes as a Deacon for the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo

By Aurora Sain, Reporter
• Fort Stockton Pioneer

FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS - Luis Villarreal has taken his love of serving the community and extended it across all aspects of his life ...

• Read the rest of this FSP report ...

In the News ... "Minister linked to Texas history"

MRT Photo by Ben Powell

• Oldham cites late Ministers Keeble, Alexander as influences

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Richard Oldham is a descendant of one of Texas’ founders, but his sense of history is much more attuned to the story of Jesus Christ ...

• 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: January 20, 2020

JUSTICE - As Christians and citizens of the United States, we find ourselves in the midst of one of the most troubled political environments in recent history ...

• 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 Tower of Babel" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Today in the Mission Yearbook: January 19, 2020

RACE RELATIONS DAY / RACIAL AND INTERCULTURAL JUSTICE - I’ve been spending a lot of time with Genesis 11:1–9 lately, or the story of Shinar and the so-called “Tower of Babel.” It’s a popular Sunday school lesson, an etiology we recount to children to explain why humanity is so varied in language and location. We don’t engage it as much when we get older. For that reason, how we read and are taught the story as children often stays with us well into adulthood ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Equal Exchange Blog ... "Vacuum Sealed vs. Nitrogen Flushed Coffee"

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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Vacuum Sealed vs. Nitrogen Flushed Coffee

Equal Exchange Photo

When you’re shopping for coffee, you will find that it comes in all kinds of different packages, including cans, vacuum packs and bags with valves. Each of these packages has its benefits and drawbacks, but the main goal is always to preserve the freshness of the coffee.

However, there are two types of packaging you will find most often on the store shelf ...

• 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