Greetings all - sorry to be a few days late with the prayer letter. I have again been very busy and finding it difficult to get around to everything.
My contact address is as follows and hopefully I can get to the emails before they mount to too many:
06/09/2004: Australia
Australian Reformed Baptist OutpostPlease remember the work of the Aussie Outpost. What is our mission? That is a good question, but one difficult to answer as it is a multi-faceted ministry. The best idea is to probably visit our web site and have a look around.
Visit: http://particularbaptist.com/index.html
There is a great interest in the wider church as this prayer letter bears testimony to. A number of associated ministries at the Aussie Outpost seek to be of support to the wider church, including creating a web presence for several churches and organisations, the Outpost BookAid ministry, etc. At the moment Aussie Outpost is struggling to meet the growing ministry opportunities in other countries through a lack of funding (if you can help please contact me - nrbcpastorkev@yahoo.com.au).
I have also been struggling to actually continue the work with my current work commitments. I have no intention to close the ministry or site, but a need exists for me to be able to re-organise my life somewhat to get on top of everything. The fact that this prayer calendar has got out suggests a step in the right direction.
Papua New Guinea
Wewak - M’Liss SperoPlease remember M’Liss Spero ministering in Papua New Guinea. She has begun work among the people of Wabuku. She is also seeking to learn the local language so she can minister more ably. For more information visit the web site listed below at:
http://www.shilohcommunitychurch.org/mliss/
Ukarumpa - Colin and Dianne Lord
The Lords’ have recently completed an intensive six-week training programme in Madang to assist them in the Tok Pisin language, medical issues and various cultural training sessions.
07/09/2004: South Africa
Florianville Baptist Church - Kimberley - Einfeldts’Please remember Rene and Sonia Einfeldt who are planning to minister in South Africa at Kimberley. Their home church has sent them out and they will be ministering with ‘Ambassadors International Ministries.’
Rene recently underwent some laser eye surgery. Please pray for a complete recovery. Recent visits to the specialist indicate all is healing well.
Rene and Sonia are seeking to learn the Afrikaans language to enable them to minister more ably in Kimberley. Pray that they will be able to pick up the language quickly and well, though there are difficulties associated with learning it.
Plans are being made for a Community Care Centre for work among the Bushmen people. There are also plans to use this centre as the base for a new church in the area. A two-storey building is also being purchased to house the Baby Rescue Ministry and teen ministry. Babies are often abandoned and there are a large percentage of teen suicides.
The Einfeldts are seeking out the possibility of ministry to school students in a post-suicide forum way. They are seeking the possibility of ministering to students who have just lost a friend through suicide in a type of debriefing situation. This may be a way to further ministry to these grieving young people. They are also seeking to be involved in a ‘Life Skills’ programme in the schools of Kimberley, which is a Christian programme, related to right living.
For more information visit the web site at:
http://www.einfeldtfamily.org/
Grace Baptist Church - Rod and Sara Perkins
The Grace Baptist Church, to which Rod and Sara Perkins belong, has begun constructing their new building. A local building firm has provided their expertise for free in the completing of the work.
08/09/2004: Trinidad and Tobago
Tunapuna - Reformed Evangelical ChurchThe Reformed Evangelical Church continues to grow and plans are now being developed to add to the building.
For more information visit the church’s web site at:
http://www.refevanchurch.org/
Croatia
Krapina - Kris and Nina BrackettThere have been some recent professions of faith made at the Evangelical Baptist Church. One of these, Romina, has been threatened by her family with expulsion from the home. She is twenty. Please pray for her and the other believers in Krapina. A new Bible Study is being set up in the Brackett family home to disciple the new believers.
09/09/2004: Eritrea
The government has basically outlawed Christianity in Eritrea, unless you are Catholic, Lutheran or Orthodox. Believers often meet in secret and the government is beginning to crack down on such activity. Believers are being rounded up and jailed. Many believers are being tortured in this State sponsored persecution.
Kenya
Nairobi - Keith and Priscilla UnderhillTheological training is being carried out in Kenya, preparing students for the work of ministry in that country. Such work includes church planting in the Bondo area of Kenya.
Outreach among the Rendille people continues and some are being saved. Daniel and Boniface are seeking to plant another church in the Korr region.
The work in Kenya also faces many personal problems within the churches, with unemployment issues, immorality, etc. Pray for wisdom in dealing with all of the issues that have arisen and will arise.
The Underhills’ are also having problems with making up the support required for their ministry.
10/09/2004: Ivory Coast
The situation in the Ivory Coast remains unstable, but quieter than when the uprising there was in full swing. For the churches of the Ivory Coast these are troubled times, as many have fallen away in the day of trouble. Please remember the faithful in the Ivory Coast as they daily face great difficulties.
11/09/2004: Saudi Arabia
The Saudi government continues to harass Christians in Saudi Arabia. Recently an Indian national was arrested for preaching Christianity. He was beaten in prison and whipped. He also faces trumped up drug and alcohol charges, which apparently Christians are regularly charged with.
Believers are automatically beheaded if they are found in Mecca. Persecution against Christians in this country seems only to be increasing.
12/09/2004: Panama
Panama City - Tom and Adriana TorrisiLiterature from the Mt Zion/Chapel Library is being distributed and received eagerly. Please pray for lasting profit to those who read the literature.
13/09/2004: Canada
Please remember to pray for Christians in Canada. Legislation before the government that will outlaw some portions of the Bible as ‘Hate Literature’ because of it’s anti-homosexuality teachings has now been passed. Pray that Christians will remain faithful to the Word of God and it’s teaching, even though there are likely to be legal consequences for doing so.
14/09/2004: Nigeria
Please remember our brethren in Nigeria. Muslim extremists are intent on removing Christianity from Nigeria and Christians are constantly being harassed. Some 50 000 people have been displaced in some areas.
Sharia Law has now been instituted by another Nigerian State, with others likely to follow. Some 12 northern states have Sharia Law.
To balance the picture, ‘Christian’ militias are also attacking Muslims and slaughtering hundreds of people also. Clearly we need to be praying about a faithful Christian witness in this country.
15/09/2004: Indonesia
Please remember our brethren in Indonesia. Muslim extremists associated with Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Al Qaeda continue to attack Christians throughout the country. Believers are still being killed as JI presses for an Islamic super state in South-East Asia.
In other news from Indonesia, the troubled area of Ambon looks set to explode once again. Many Christians have been killed in recent weeks by Muslim extremists.
16/09/2004: Belarus
Please remember the brethren in Belarus. Pastors operating this part of the former Soviet Union have very little in the way of resources to carry on the work - yet they are committed to the task. Churches here include those at Slonim, Minsk and Gatava.
17/09/2004: USA
Persian Community Church - Ken and Connie TemplePlease remember Ken and Connie Temple with their three children ministering to Iranian refugees. I’m not entirely sure as to where in the USA the Persian Community Church is located, but it ministers to believers of Muslim background, as well as seeking to reach out to unsaved Muslims.
18/09/2004: Russia
Grace Church - Irkutsk - Pastor Mochalov Sergey AleksandrovichPastor Aleksandrovich became a Christian in 1983. He was jailed for 3 years in the eighties for his testimony to Christ. Pastor Aleksandrovich and his wife have 7 children ranging in age from 3 to 21 years of age.
The church is made up of about 100 people. The rented premises in which they had met they are no longer able to be used, having been expelled from them under the rules of the Russian government. They are now trying to save money to build there own building, which has stopped due to a lack of funds.
Pastor Aleksandrovich informs me that he often travels around the churches passing on Reformed literature. His measures his journeys in thousands of kilometres visiting the churches (and this in a dilapidated vehicle).
Recently Pastor Aleksandrovich travelled through the Irkutsk region of eastern Russia. The pastor with whom he travelled now also holds and teaches the doctrines of grace. A number of people appear to have been saved during the trip and he had the opportunity to preach to many people - even 1500 at one time. He travelled some 4000km during the trip. To quote our brother, speaking of the journey and I guess the vehicle:
“Due to your prays and prays of our churches, we on this trip have overcome more than 4000 kilometers, and the spring by the machine has only once broken. And the God to us has helped to repair the machine!”
Churches visited during this trip were in the city of Tulun, city of Kujtun, city of Nizhneudinsk, city of Ust'-Ilimsk, city of Jangel', city of Alekseevsk, city of Bratsk and two villages: the settlement Kuvatka and the settlement Kaltuk. The church in Ust’-Ilimsk is very small and needs a pastor.
19/09/2004: Bangladesh
The government of Bangladesh is moving towards the passing of laws which will have an ‘anti-conversion’ aspect to them. This will make it illegal to convert from one religion to another. Bangladesh is largely Islamic.
20/09/2004: India
The Indian government appears to be working toward the principle of religious freedom. However, Hindu extremists appear to be acting otherwise, seeking to prevent the demise of their religion in any way possible. Recently some missionaries were kidnapped, beaten and then released. Militant Hinduism is gaining momentum in India.
Andhra Pradesh - Gilbert Dawson
Gilbert Dawson is a brother working in the area of Andhra Pradesh in India. He like many of us has been branded a heretic and called a Lucifer for holding to the doctrines of grace. Earlier support has been lost, as Brother Gilbert has been labelled a heretic for his testimony. Yet he is a faithful brother seeking to win the lost for Christ.
Brother Dawson labours in a field in which Hinduism is becoming more militant. Please remember India and the work of Brother Dawson.
Karnataka - Biblical Baptist Church - Billa Nelson
Please continue to remember the work under the oversight of Pastor Billa Nelson. The church is currently involved in the construction of a new meeting place, as well as setting up the Biblical Baptist Fellowship for churches of like mind.
The church is also after blankets for those in need. Please contact pastor Nelson if you can assist at:
I have also received reports of Hindus ‘invading’ a church in Karnataka and accusing the pastor of forcing Hindus to become Christians. I’m not sure as to what denomination this was, but it clearly points to the dangers facing our brother in Karnataka.
Providence Evangelical Bible Seminary - Jason and Jemima Deutsch
Jason Deutsch is involved in training 22 Indian men for ministry in India. They are also seeking to plant a church in the Panvel region of India. This would be a Hindi speaking church plant.
Evangelical Bible Fellowship is suffering from erratic attendance, which apparently is common during the monsoon.
21/09/2004: Germany
According to some reports only 3% of the German population can be identified as Evangelical Christians. Some of the churches seeking to turn this around by the grace of God are the following:
Freie Baptistengemeinde (Independent Baptist Church) of Kiel - Rex and Leslie Slate
There have been a number of baptisms and expressions of interest in baptism recently. Several new people have been attending the church also.
Gravenhorst - Tim and Linda Kelly
Remember the ministry of the Kellys’ in Gravenhorst, Germany. In particular remember the church planting work in the Braunschweig/Wolfsburg area. The work is progressing with many opportunities to share the gospel and to grow in grace together.
Heilbronn - Heilbronn Reformed Baptist Church
Remember the outreach efforts of this church around the streets. The church has now been in existence for 40 years and continues to seek the unsaved for Christ. The church is seeking a printer to print some 30 000-50 000 tracts.
http://www.fbc-hn.com/index.html
http://sermonaudio.com
22/09/2004: Israel
Grace and TruthThe Grace and Truth congregation is continuing with its building project, as funds become available for it. Building is well under way following legal victories that allowed the building to go ahead. Financial support and volunteer builders have come from all over the globe, including Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United States. Further funds are required for the building project to be completed. For more information visit:
http://www.graceandtruthbulletin.org
23/09/2004: Sudan
As most people are probably aware there is a major humanitarian crisis in the Sudan. Conflict between carious Muslim groups, and Black African and Christian minorities has seen many thousands killed. Many more are homeless and facing starvation. Christian agencies are responding to the crisis, seeking to bring in aid for the suffering people of Sudan.
In spite of all the hardship in this African country, Christianity is believed to have grown by about 70% in recent years. Again the Gospel is triumphing over the forces of evil.
24/09/2004: Malawi
Zomba - The Maxson FamilyThe Maxson family is currently learning Chichewa to enable them to reach out to the local people. Sunday afternoons see an outreach Bible study that is translated into Chichewa by Nathaniel Maxson (son of Victor Maxson). Most of the people in Zomba are Roman Catholic, Jehovah Witnesses, Pentecostals, etc. Religion is very common in this area. Islam accounts for about 30% of the population.
Various publications are being translated and printed in the local language. There are some troubles with the printing press however. Teams often go out to distribute tracts to the local people.
Charles Beni has the oversight of the church in the Shire Valley region and is completely indigenous. Please pray for our brother Charles Beni and the church in the Shire Valley.
25/09/2004: Mozambique
Nampula - Richard ChiorinoThe home of Richard Chiorino, who is ministering in Mozambique, was broken into while the family were away at church. The guard, called Marcelino, was badly beaten during the break in. He is in a serious condition in hospital. Please pray for him and his family.
26/09/2004: Iraq
Please remember believers in Iraq as Islamic terrorists have now turned their attention against them also. In the last month or so a number of churches have been hit by car bombs and associated terrorist attacks. Believers seem to be facing more persecution now than they did under Saddam Hussein.
Believers are beginning to flee Iraq, with Islam being recently named as the state religion.
27/09/2004: Philippines
Cubao Reformed Baptist ChurchPlease pray for our brethren in the Philippines and especially at Cubao Reformed Baptist Church. There is currently a serious discipline situation being addressed there and the church would appreciate the prayers of their brethren. There appears to be true repentance in evidence.
The church has now been going for over 25 years and recently celebrated the 25th anniversary.
Various brethren continue to be joined to the church.
28/09/2004: Egypt
The Egyptian government seems to be applying pressure to believers in Egypt. A Baptist Church was recently closed by police for no apparent reason.
China
In early August 2004, some 100 house church leaders were arrested by the Chinese government, just as a two-week retreat was about to begin. Please pray for these men, their families and their churches.
29/09/2004: Laos
Please remember believers in Laos. Christians are being imprisoned if they refuse to deny Christ.
Turkmenistan
Members of a Baptist church which has been facing almost constant harassment by the Turkmenistan authorities were arrested in early August. The Bible Study and Prayer Meeting was busted up and members imprisoned for several hours. Bibles and other materials were confiscated. Threats were made to the believers that worse was to come if they continued to meet.
30/09/2004: Sri Lanka
The government of Sri Lanka is considering a number of ‘religious’ laws including an anti-conversion law and to set up a Buddhist Court System. Anti-Christian sentiment is on the increase in Sri Lanka.
Cameroon
Muslim insurgents have infiltrated the northern region of the African nation of Cameroon and are attempting to stir up attacks on Christians in the area. Some violence has already been recorded.
Spain
Valencia - Fransesco and Luciana RealeSome 40 people are currently attending the church in Valencia, Spain. The nation of Spain is of course a predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
The church is building a 25m radio tower in order to begin a Christian radio ministry that will be able to reach about 1 million Spanish Roman Catholics.
In Olivia, the Iglesia Bautista de la Gracias (Grace Baptist Church) began to meet in August. It is the only Christian witness in the town.
Namibia
Windhoek - Eastside Baptist Church - Joachim RieckThe Namibia Grace Conference was held from August 3-5. The church is keen to be used of the Lord in bringing reformation and revival to Namibia. Pray that the conference has an ongoing benefit to believers in Namibia. Errol Hulse from the Leeds Reformed Baptist Church in England spoke at the conference on ‘Preaching Christ.’ Conrad Mbewe from the Kabwata Reformed Baptist Church in Zambia also spoke at the conference.
Maldive Islands
In 1998 most Christians were expelled from the Maldive Islands by the Islamic government. All Christian books that were found were destroyed. Now there are some 200 000 people living in the island nation without an effective Christian witness.
VISIT US ONLINE
Please visit The Aussie Reformed Baptist Outpost online at:
http://particularbaptist.com/index.htmlThe Outpost Wider Church Awareness Site can be found at:
http://particularbaptist.com/wider/widerindex.htmlFor email contact and further information regarding aid to the various ministries mentioned in the prayer letter, Kevin can be contacted at:
nrbcpastorkev@yahoo.com.auIf you are of Reformed Baptist persuasion and would like to add news of your church or work, or add requests for prayer to this prayer letter, please contact Kevin on the above Email address.
For 'snail mail,' write to 'The Aussie Reformed Baptist Outpost, 27 Middle Street, Cardiff South, NSW, Australia, 2285.
We thank all sources of information that have made this prayer letter possible and ask the church at large to commit to praying for one another. Brethren, please pray for us.
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