West Texas Missioner

Sunday, October 23, 2016

It's October ... time for Pumpkin Patch at St. Luke's UMC

St. Luke's United Methodist Church of Midland has a rich history of providing this great family friendly opportunity to Midland. Come for the pumpkins, the coloring sheets, cool stickers, stories, and much more!

2016 dates: October 10-31

Join us this year at the patch! Hours are Monday- Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and Sunday’s Noon - 5:00 p.m. The church is located at 3011 W. Kansas Avenue.

All proceeds benefit the neighborhood outreach summer program and Boy Scout Troop 160.

Call Denise Carrell at (432) 694-2571 with any questions.

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: October 23, 2016

MINUTE FOR MISSION: CHILDREN'S SABBATH - This weekend marks the 25th annual National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths, uniting people of faith in common concern for problems like child poverty; in shared conviction that the God of love and justice calls us to the same; and in renewed commitment to reach out with love and to speak up for justice to improve the lives of children ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 22, 2016

SEATTLE PRESBYTERY, WASHINGTON - Within two months of the chartering of the city of Seattle, seven Presbyterian men and women gathered in George Whitworth’s home to organize themselves as the First Presbyterian Church of Seattle. Their session first met in 1873, as Whitworth preached alternate Sundays with a Methodist minister. Their first sanctuary was built at the corner of Third and Madison streets in 1877. The church grew rapidly, by 1894 boasting 643 members, and moving into a new building at the corner of Fourth and Spring ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, October 21, 2016

From ServLife International ... "Persevering Faith"

SPECIAL NOTICE ... Your investment and partnership with ServLife builds global community to plant churches, care for children and fight poverty. Your support has helped Pastor Daya serve people in his village and share the hope of Jesus. You have helped start a school in India for children that otherwise would not receive an education. And you have empowered Jamuna’s family to overcome extreme poverty with just a small business loan. Would you consider a gift today to deepen your impact to support pastors, children, and families?

• CLICK HERE for more information, and to contribute.

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.

ServLife Photo

Persevering Faith

Daya was never supposed to become a pastor… or at least that’s what some of his friends and family would tell you. Born into a Hindu family, Daya was raised and educated to be a teacher. He got a bachelor’s degree in education and got married to a nice young lady. Everything seemed to be on track. However five years passed and Daya and his wife were unable to have a baby ...

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

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 ...

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

From @FWMission ...Friday Story: "Mobility Opens Doors"

SPECIAL WEST TEXAS NOTE ... Want to QUADRUPLE the impact of your contribution to Free Wheelchair Mission? Contact First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas at 800 W. Texas Ave. or (432) 684-7821, and ask about a local doubling campaign for FWM, going on during the month of October. It's a chance to double-double donations this month, and spread Free Wheelchair Mission's impact even further!

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.

Friday Story: "Mobility Opens Doors"

FWM Photo

Greetings, and Happy Friday!

Odett is from Santa Cruz, Costa Rica. She was born with Cerebral Palsy, making it very difficult for her to move on her own. Unlike many people with disabilities in the developing world, Odett did have access to a borrowed wheelchair, but that wheelchair was very old and not very useful.

FS_090216_Odett.3jpgOdett recently received a new wheelchair from Free Wheelchair Mission, and the impact on her life has been dramatic. She has been taking classes at a local school. She is involved with the community. Her new wheelchair is allowing her to enjoy an active lifestyle ...

• read the rest of this story ...

In the News ... “U.U. Church celebrates installation of minister"

MRT Photo

• Finding a place for radical acceptance and love

Rich Lopez, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article refers to an event that took place LAST Saturday. I apologize for the delay in sharing it with you, and I hope you will still read the article to learn more about Rev. Wright-Magon.

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Although it has been just shy of a year since naming Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon as the minister for Unitarian Universalist Church of Midland, the congregation will celebrate that on Saturday. The installation service is a way to not only recognize Wright-Magoon, but also to promote the shared ministry in the church. In short, time was given to her to see settle in ...

• read the rest of this MRT report

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

NEW CASTLE PRESBYTERY, DELAWARE - In the words and experience of Rev. Jim Moseley, executive presbyter of New Castle Presbytery, “Every great effort in ministry requires both strategic thinking and ‘daring’ in equal amounts.”

And maybe just a few peaches ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

From Uganda, Dr. Greg Bartha: "Home"

In describing himself and his present circumstances, longtime Midland physician Dr, Greg Bartha will say ... "Elderly physician embarks on a new journey in life serving God and the people of Uganda. My goal is to move from living a good life to living a great life." In addition to his long-term mission, working at a medical clinic in Uganda, he is also a contributor to the Formula Vita blog.

Home

On September 22nd of last year, I embarked on my journey to Midland, Texas for a six week break. Two weeks were to be spent in Belize working with a hospice organization there. My anticipation of return gradually increased from my birthday in August. I was looking forward to seeing my friends and spending some time with my cats, and had many business matters to address as well. Though I was enthusiastic about returning, I had settled into a good routine in Uganda and felt a bit sad about leaving my work and friends there. Simon Peter was to join me for the last two weeks to help with raising awareness of the work and fund raising. I was also going to show him more of America by taking him on a brief trip to San Antonio ...

• CLICK HERE to read the rest of Greg's post ...

In the News ... “New album shows off Tenth Avenue North’s philosophy and fusion"

Courtesy Photo

• With Hawk Nelson, Dan Bremnes in benefit concert this Friday

Rich Lopez, Reporter
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The band Tenth Avenue North just can’t stay away from the Permian Basin. Their appearance on Friday night will mark the third time the band has performed in the area this year. Their relationship with West Texas has earned them a healthy following.

Tenth Avenue North performed in Andrews in the spring, had a headlining performance at Rock the Desert and now leads a night of music to benefit Church Under the Bridge ...

• read the rest of this MRT report

In the News ... "Bonilla leads at Holy Redeemer"

OA Photo by Mark Sterkel

• Mexico City native new senior pastor of the west side parish

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The Rev. Fernando Bonilla is a busy man as the new senior pastor of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with weddings, funerals, quinceaneras and about 60 Masses and 150 confessions per month.

Having succeeded the Rev. Michael Rodriguez, who was called to San Angelo to become the diocese’s new director of vocation, Father Bonilla most enjoys preaching about the Word of God “and what it is doing in us,” he said ...

• read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

EAST AFRICA - Veronica Muchiri has a big job. As the organizer and secretary of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa National Woman’s Guild, she’s working to change the perception about women in East Africa.

The organization has a membership totaling 120,000 from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Its motto is “Empowering Christian women transforming society.” That includes strengthening families, developing mentors and coaches, improving health programs, and addressing environmental concerns. It also works to engage women as agents of peace, healing, and reconciliation ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

WAW Wednesday ... Here's Some Great News!

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."

We had a really special time together as Board and Staff Friday night. We sent Tim off on his sabbatical with prayer and laughter! Pictured in front row from left: Kenny Logan, Dyann Folkner, Jo Cole, Tim Tam, Mollie Swafford & Tim Hagen. Board Members from left in the back: Ron Allen, Rodger Hudson, Janie Thomas, Geoff Wright, Marshall Dawkins, Mary Zickefoose & Kurt Oheim. (We missed Jose Valencia, Drew Allen & Derek Osborn, but we know they were with us in spirit!)

Here's some great news

Dear Friends and Partners,

Our Christmas container is fully funded!! Thank you to all who prayed for this portion of the Christmas Project...we've received word that our Belize friends at Love FM, the Love Foundation, and Department of Youth Services are sacrificially combining their resources to make sure Belize children all over the country will know they are loved this Christmas!

"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3

It's not hard to imagine how difficult it is for families who are separated during Christmastime because their loved one is incarcerated or waiting in remand for justice. Each year we allocate $3,000USD to purchase phone cards (at a discounted rate) that are shared with inmates at Belize Central Prison. Families are able to connect and celebrate the birth of our Savior through this gift.

• CLICK HERE to donate ...

John Woods, Chairman Emeritus and Founder of the Kolbe Foundation which manages the prison shares, "Christmas is an exceptionally sad time of the year due to separation of loved ones. The Word at Work has always made sure that each inmate has a phone card so that if they don’t get to see loved ones, they can at least talk to them. The Word at Work is Christianity at work in its best form." Won't you please help us bridge the distance by donating toward the Christmas Project?

"I now feel safe!"

Sweet words from one of the young children at Marla's House of Hope. What a perfect example of the church body working together. Funds donated by Paoli Presbyterian Church in PA were used to purchase security cameras and monitors which were installed by Joseph Powell (pictured here and a member of FPC Pascagoula, MS) and Eric Maas (missionary in Belize)! Secure fencing is next at Marla's -- we're so grateful to witness the Word at Work!

Thanks for being the Word at Work!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience - working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize - won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!

Invitation to be a part of Fall Karnival ... next week at Midland College

The 2nd Annual Midland College Kinesiology Club Fall Karnival will be held next Thursday, October 27, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the PE Building, on the MC main campus. This is a community event, especially targeted for children. If you know of a community organization that would like to participate, please contact ...

Sheena Thompson, Kinesiology Program Chair, Midland College
(432) 685-4579 / sthompson@midland.edu

In the News ... "West Texas Food Bank to Unveil Midland Community, Volunteer Center"

• Ceremony set for 11:00 a.m. Friday

Staff Report
• KMID-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank is expanding, and will unveil its Midland Community and Volunteer Center to the public this Friday ...

• read the rest of this KMID 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. 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).

Invitation to Prayer, TODAY

Hi Friends,

Thank you for joining me in prayer for the children of the world. If you can, we'd love to have you pray together with us this Wednesday - TODAY - at 11:30 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, followed by lunch together.

Also, Faces of Children is now on Facebook ! I invite you to like our page so that you can see regular stories, prayer needs, and updates from partner ministries.

All the best,

Carrie

Dear Intercessors,

This past week the world paused for a moment to recognize International Day of the Girl on October 11.

This short video produced by The Guardian newspaper explains some of what girls face around the world today ...

• More female babies are aborted than males.
• You have less chance of being educated than if you were a boy.
• Twice as many girls as boys will never start school.

The list goes on and on, covering every stage of a young woman's life.

But it isn't limited to the other side of the world. In our own culture, we've heard the man who may become our next president caught on a hot microphone speaking of women in deeply degrading and lewd ways

Around the world, females face dangers and deprivations often unknown to males, but as followers of Jesus, we know that women are no different then men. We are all created in the image of God. Girls are image bearers of the Holy God, and deserve to be treated as such. This week I'd like to invite you to join me in praying for girls around the world ...

Guardian Photo

MYANMAR // Facing overwhelming poverty in their hometowns, young Chin women have increasingly left the country to serve as household help in other countries. But a few high-profile cases of young women being unpaid and held against their will from returning home has caused the Myanmar government to impose a temporary ban on young women seeking domestic employment abroad. However, "with few economic opportunities at home, the number of women leaving to get jobs abroad as domestic workers has not abated and more do so illegally, prompting calls for the newly appointed government of Aung San Suu Kyi to lift the ban." Even knowing the risks, some young women like 15-year-old Van Biak, pictured below, still want the opportunity to go abroad to try and support their families. Learn more here ...

Please pray for these women to find ways to provide for their families in their own countries and to be protected from traffickers. And for those who have already moved, please pray for their protection, just and dignified treatment and opportunities to leave their positions if they wish to leave. Amen.

USA and UGANDA // Please be praying for our church's Uganda Mission team as they serve with Dr. Bartha. They left on October 13 and will spend 2 weeks in Uganda. As part of their trip, they will be taking nearly 40 cloth feminine hygiene "Days for Girls" kits to distribute to young women served by Dr. Bartha's clinics. In addition to distributing these washable and reusable kits, our team will also be providing training on health, hygiene and safety to the kit recipients.

DFG Image

Father, we pray that just as we know you are near the brokenhearted in Haiti, you also hold the people of Florida and the southeastern USA close to your heart. Please be with them in the weeks to come as they deal with the devastation left in the hurricane's wake. In particular, we lift up the children who needed to evacuate and may come home to a drastically different landscape. Give them peace and comfort in the weeks to come. Amen.

GLOBAL // We continue to pray for children in Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, and other war-torn areas around the world. We pray for children who are hungry and slowly starving to death due to military blockades and rations. We pray for children who have witnessed violence and know what it's like to fall asleep with bombs falling in the distance. We pray for children who have never been able to go to school because it is too dangerous to leave their apartments.

Around the developing world, girls often miss school due to their menstrual cycle because they do not have the supplies they need to enable them to participate in normal daily activities. But these kits change that! Poverty cycles can be broken when girls stay in school!

Please be praying for the young women who receive the kits our team will bring. Pray that they will be allowed to remain in school until they finish their studies. (Some Days for Girls reports indicate that after receiving a kit, Ugandan girls' monthly absentee rates from school fall from 25 percent to 3 percent!) Pray that the girls are protected from abuse, violence, early marriages and other dangers that often plague vulnerable young women. And pray for them to know they are seen, known, and loved by God. Amen.

Praying with you,

Carrie

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

If you have prayer requests 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 info@facesofchildren.net

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: October 19, 2016

SYBOD OF THE NORTHEAST, CONNECTICUT - When the busload of teenage girls from an affluent boarding school in Farmington, Connecticut, entered the room, they weren’t exactly enthusiastic. They would be spending the afternoon with the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, a faith-based social services agency dedicated to meeting the needs of people at risk and breaking the cycle of poverty and incarceration. The young women expected an afternoon of boring lectures ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

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. 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).

Invitation to Prayer, TOMORROW

Hi Friends,

Thank you for joining me in prayer for the children of the world. If you can, we'd love to have you pray together with us this Wednesday - TOMORROW - at 11:30 a.m., in the gym conference room at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, followed by lunch together.

Also, Faces of Children is now on Facebook ! I invite you to like our page so that you can see regular stories, prayer needs, and updates from partner ministries.

All the best,

Carrie

Guardian Photo

DFG Image

In the News ... "Church celebrates long-time members for their years of service"

KOSA Photo

• Both say they will continue to be a part of the First Baptist family

By Stephanie Bennett, Reporter
• KOSA-TV

MONAHANS, TEXAS - The First Baptist Church in Monahans came together today to celebrate two very special people ...

• read the rest of this KOSA report

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: October 18, 2016

SCIOTO VALLEY PRESBYTERY, OHIO - The “seed money” planted by three people at First Presbyterian Church of Waverly, Ohio, has resulted in a harvest of generosity directed toward Presbyterian mission co-workers ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, October 17, 2016

From @chinaaid : "Pastor imprisoned for contact with U.S. officials released"

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.

Pastor imprisoned for contact with U.S. officials released
Distributed by ChinaAid, September, 2016 ...

CAA Photo

WENZHOU, ZHEJIANG, CHINA – China Aid confirmed the release of a pastor in China’s coastal Zhejiang province yesterday evening after four months of imprisonment.

Wen Xiaowu, a pastor in Rui’an, was originally detained on April 25 with his wife, Xiang Lihua, and their eldest son, Wen “Eden” Yidian, after contacting U.S. Consulate officials and foreign journalists ...

• more on this story from China Aid