Hello Friends,
LOCKDOWN MONTH OF PRAYER:
As promised, each day an update will appear (Usually around 5pm / 17:00 Uk time) so that we can together as a sign of our unity pray for our friends who are working hard for Jesus Christ. Maybe you could use this for prayer for 10 minutes in your evening or as part of your devotions tomorrow morning.
AS WE GO TO PRAY:
Our great confidence is that as we do this in faith, we are assured that ...
HE is with us. When Jesus directed the church to "GO", "MAKE DISCIPLES" and "TEACH" (Matt 20:20) he did not just give us a vision for the future, he also gave us the promise and foundation that unlocks all God's promises for us today...
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The Church is built on the foundation of the empty tomb. When Jesus said this, He did so knowing the sufferring that would come upon his precious people as they follow the path of sacrifice and lay their lives down in order for the gospel to go throughout the world. Today there are many suffering for many reasons. Over the next 4 weeks or so we will hear of many who are sufferring for Christ and yet at the same time speak with joy. I have spoken with dozens of them in the last 24 hours. Each has a story to tell and many things to pray for, but also report that God is doing wonderful things, and people are constantly joining this worldwide and eternal family. What doesn't change in lockdown is the presence of Christ with His people. The Church doesn't hit a dead end in lockdown, all the evidence historically and colloquially says that it grows all the more.
In sufferring we do need vision... we need to see further than our 4 walls when we are stuck inside, and remember that this world is bigger than us, it is not just about our little life and our comfort circle.
My daughter recently acquired a hamster. She is brilliant at going around in circles on a wheel (the hamster not my daughter), and majestic at making a pile of sawdust into a comfortable bed. This hamster has vision... but I don't think "Honey" will ever get too far or achieve much on the worlds big stage. We need more than vision... we need faith. We need to pray in truth, in the knowledge that the risen Christ is with us as we pray for His work, for the equipping of His people to do His task. We need to be reminded that God is bigger than this world, omnipresent accross all the detail, and lovingly active in ways that we don't even begin to understand. It is a complete privilege to be praying with you, I hope you are encouraged each day as you follow with us, partake and feel included in this wonderful partnership God has brought us together for. We are going somewhere... somewhere very amazing - (REVELATION 7:9)
God's goal will be completed.
DAY 1
PRAYING FOR: PASTOR SERGEY KRICHUN
Good news church Fontanka
(Baptist) Baptyst·sʹka Tserkva
Odessa Region (oblast)
Background : Some years ago (when transition house Odessa was just a pile of concrete and an outside lavatory), we heard of the development of a new place of Worship next door to transition house. We praised God as it morphed from it's old use (I think a Kwitfit type auto place /retail outlet) into a wonderful new home for the local gospel community to reach out.
This community of God was born out of adversity. Near the shoreline in Fontanke, land slippage and earth movement is legenedary. A fledgling church met in the house of a generous sister within view of the sea. Sadly one night Sergey and the community of that time were awoken to the news that this house had been swept away with all of the resources of this church plant. I remember Sergey's tear filled eyes recalling the trauma this was for God's people - such a young church as they collected the leftovers they could find in the rubble (hymnbooks and the like). Do these things happen for a bigger purpose? Was there a reason why God allowed this to happen? I believe there was...
1) STRATEGIC LOCATION OF THE CHURCH: Because of God's amazing provision, the church moved to the high street Fontanke. Then it was just transition house and the church, but now it is a traffic filled, shop filled bustling centre - on the journey between the coast and rivierra shopping center. Hundreds and thousands of people pass the church every day reading the digital display as it scrolls through an invitation to know hope and certainty in Christ
2) LOCAL HUB FOR REFUGE MINISTRIES: As Grace Church Shelter ministry, Transition house residents and Hope house (fantastic group / charity working with young women) nearby developed their ministry... there was some growing need for a local (walking distance) church for them, where they could integrate and get stuck into serving in childrens and youth programs etc.
Sergey had an early passion to train men to preach (no doubt encouraged by the training he recieved at Odessa Seminary). Each Sunday there are many churches that benefit from how God has answered this prayer of Sergey's and other men who work hard to preach the truth in love around the great city of Odessa.
3 Things you need to know about Sergey...
- He and his wife Marina love people. They have a wonderful heart (especially for suffering people and those who have been through hard times) which is obvious to all who know them. They are quiet, unnasuming servants. Just the kind of people you want to go to when life is not so easy. This is one of the reasons for their fruitfulness.
- Sergey loves the truth and the wisdom of God's word. This is what builds up people, churches and steers each of us for fruitful living and service. This is why so many have gone on to serve other churches and ministries from this place.
- Sergey is a practical man who makes the most of stewarding the resources God gives him. Many years ago someone offerred Sergey an Audi (i think?) as a minsitry car (many of the congregation being elderly or without transport). I think the car was about 17 years old then The only issue - (but significant detail) was that the car needed considerable attention to move/ function. Sergey's first response was to thank God for his generosity. (This is a measure of a man). His next move was to learn be a mechanic and service the car back to full health. "If God gives me a car... he can give me the time, knowledge and patience to get it working until it becomes useful for his glory". Another measure of this man is his patience... God has rewarded that patient service and the car has not only continued for many, many, many years but it has been an indespenble tool in ministry.
- 1) FOR THE CHURCH FAMILY IN LOCKDOWN:
- Let's pray for this congregation, their feeding on God's word and those who preach and pastor to them in this time of isolation and challange.
- 2) FOR COMPLETION OF CHURCH RENNOVATION :
- I know this has been an issue of patience for the church. (it had no downpipes or drainage when they purchased it). Making it habbitable for a growing gospel community and a hub for local gospel work has been a challange on small funds. They have done a remarkable job, Let's pray it will be complete and God will release provision for this.
- 3) FOR HELP IN COMMUNICATING TIMELESS GOSPEL TRUTH INTO THIS SEASON
"Today we need wisdom to be able to preach the gospel in such a situation."
- This is an outward looking church. Let's pray they have wisdom, love and The Spirits help to reach many for Christ. Pray that many in Fontanke will come to him as they are prompted by the reality of life (and death) without Him. Pray that this new community of love will attract many to hear the welcome of Christ.
- 4) FOR LOVE and AID (in the name of JESUS) TO MANY LOCALLY IN NEED:
- Pray God will provide for this. Maybe if you would like to help we could co-ordinate this.
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