Greetings all - sorry that I haven’t been able to get a prayer letter out for some time. Work commitments and illness have kept me side-lined from this important work for far too long. Lord-willing 2005 will be a turning point - for good that is.
As we look forward to another year it is a time that many of us will either look back with regret at was has been or forward in anticipation at what may be. Perhaps there is a mix of both for some. For me 2004 was a year with a number of lost opportunities that I do regret and 2005 a new year with new opportunities to take hold of with faith and new zeal. Certainly it is no good to dwell on the lost opportunities as they can never be regained, but rather to focus on the new opportunities and make sure they are well used, etc.
One thing I would like to see happen in the new year is the actual sending out of the literature I have been planning to send abroad for some time now. I actually have the printer I’ve needed to enable me to do so. So this is an opportunity I would like to take hold of by the grace of God.
My contact address is as follows and hopefully I can get to the emails before they mount to too many:
09/12/2004: Pakistan
Please remember to pray for our brethren in the predominantly Islamic country of Pakistan. It is believed that there are some 3 million Christians in Pakistan, with believers often the targets of terrorist activities.
10/12/2004: United Arab Emirates
Please remember our brethren in the predominantly Islamic country of the United Arab Emirates. Religious freedom is exercised in the country but this is now threatened as Islamic extremists react to the conversion of Muslims to Christianity.
11/12/2004: Ghana
About 60% of Ghana’s population claim to be Christians and 35% are Muslims.
Grace Baptist Mission - Pastor Noah Quarshie
The School Building Project is now underway, though more funding is needed. Please pray about this and if you are able to support the ministry financially please do so. All the information about the work can be found at the web site below.
Visit the web site at:
http://www.gracebaptistmissionghana.org/
12/12/2004: Mexico
Guadalajara - Steve and Robin HenryRecent arrivals in Mexico, Steve and Robin Henry are seeking to learn Spanish at the Harvest Language Center in Guadalajara.
The Henrys’ have settled into the King of Kings Bible Church (Rey de Reyes Iglesia Biblica), which is a church of about 125 people.
Steve and Robin are renting a room in the home of a Mexican family in Guadalajara, a city of 3 million people. Sharing the home with this family is assisting them both in their language studies. Also of help is the fact that the family are Christians as well.
13/12/2004: Eritrea
The Christian Church is being suppressed in the African country of Eritrea. Most churches have been shut down and some 400 believers are currently in prison.
14/12/2004: Uzbekistan
The Islamic country of Uzbekistan continues to harass believers. Religious freedoms are very much restricted, with the government supporting an Anti-Christian sentiment in the country.
15/12/2004: Spain
Barcelona - Matt and Nuria LeightonMatt Leighton teaches in the Colegio Biblico de la Gracia in Barcelona. He is currently teaching New Testament to students. He is also involved with Steve Phillips in improving the college overall. Please pray for this important work in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.
16/12/2004: United States of America
Oklahoma - Oklahoma City - Heartland Baptist ChurchThe Heartland Baptist Church of Oklahoma City began in September 2003. The church is already looking at beginning a new church in Norman, south of Oklahoma City, which has a population of 100 000. Already there are a number of families in Norman that are keen to support the new work once it begins.
17/12/2004: Malawi
Zomba - Maxson FamilyFrank Maxson has been able to visit several churches throughout Malawi and preach. Pray about these opportunities and that they would be for good.
More Information:
Email: maxson@malawi.net
18/12/2004: 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 Siberia (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 Jangelja, 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.
In the city of Jangelja, the church (see picture above) is made up of 19 people. 45km away in the city of New Igirma there are some 19 000 people, but the church numbers only 2. The church in New Igirma has a car that is in poor order, therefore a new vehicle is required to assist in the ministry in that region. In Alekseevk there are some 18 members in the church, while in Kirensk, a city of 16 000, the church numbers 2. Here evangelism is often done on foot throughout the region, with no vehicle in winter where the temperature plummets to about 60 degrees Celsius.
Though there are great needs in the ministry, the work continues on faithfully. Please pray for the brethren in Eastern Siberia and that the needs might be met.
19/12/2004: Tanzania
Tanzanian churches are looking at establishing churches in the Zanzibar region of Tanzania. This is a predominantly Islamic region of the country. Please pray about this.
20/12/2004: India
Do remember our brethren in India. Here in the so-called west we are not so much aware of the difficulties of being Christians. In India however, being a Christian has become a dangerous thing to be. There are moves there to outlaw conversion to Christianity and those who have converted to Christianity face great hostility and persecution from their families and Hindu fanatics.
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.
21/12/2004: Argentina
Carlos Paz - Don DonnellConferences for pastors were held during November in Buenos Aires and Carlos Paz. Please pray that these will have lasting value to the ministry of God’s Word in Argentina.
22/12/2004: Papua New Guinea
Wabuku - M’liss SperoM’liss Spero continues working hard at trying to learn both the language and culture of the native people. She is having difficulty gaining help from those around her in learning the language.
M’liss Spero’s co-worker, Aaron Dewidder has been very ill. Please pray for him.
More Information:
http://www.shilohcommunitychurch.org/mliss/
23/12/2004: Australia
Mark and Kylie Battese (and daughter Madison)Please pray for Kylie. She is a young mother and wife recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of inoperable cancer. Treatment has begun, with the human outlook being poor.
Both Kylie and Mark are very positive believers, firmly resting in the grace of God, being both fully aware of His sovereign power and being happily resigned to His will whichever way it may lead. None-the-less it is a difficult time for this young family.
24/12/2004: India
Karnataka - Biblical Baptist Church - Billa NelsonThe church in Karnataka still seeks further support for the building project in India. Apparently there has been little work since 2000.
The Biblical Baptist Church recently saw their founding pastor die. He began the work there in 1958.
25/12/2004: North Korea
North Korea continues to ban all Christianity. There are no allowed churches of the registered kind as seen in China. All Christianity is banned. There have been no missionaries in North Korea since 1945. There are therefore large numbers of people in North Korea who have never heard the gospel.
26/12/2004: Germany
Heilbronn Baptist Church - Pastor Audey ShepardThe church is continuing to grow with more people attending and membership is continuing to increase. There have also been several baptisms. American families associated with the military are contacting the church also, seeking a place to worship while based overseas.
13 people are now attending the recently begun German Seminary. This ministry is important as the church seeks to plant more church in the Heilbronn region.
27/12/2004: Philippines
Cubao Reformed Baptist ChurchThe need for larger premises is ongoing as the ministry continues to grow. The Drop-in Ministry is now attended by over 120 people and the Youth Ministry by 70 people. The gospel is presented in both these ministries.
Visit the web site at:
http://www.info.com.ph/~btellis/welcome.htm
28/12/2004: Mongolia
Since the introduction of religious freedom in Mongolia during the 1990s, there has been a sustained growth in Christianity. This is a country of about 2.7 million people, the majority of whom are notional Buddhists.
29/12/2004: Turkey
Turkish Christians are praying that Turkey’s move to join the European Union will also bring them freedom of religion. Currently believers are persecuted at the local level, especially relating to outreach activities.
30/12/2004: Philippines
Santa Rosa - Reformed Baptist Bible Church - Pastor Marlon DalinPastor Dalin has pastored the Reformed Baptist Bible Church in Santa Rosa for about 15 years. He was converted in April 1985. He is married to Sally and has three children - Sarah (18), John Lon (16) and John Gaius (11). They live in a rented flat. Please pray for the conversion of Sarah, John Lon and John Gaius.
The church in Santa Rosa was established on March 22, 1987 and now has 18 members, with a further two believers applying for membership. Some 60 people attend on a regular basis each Lord’s Day. The Church also has a Sunday School ministry.
Aussie Outpost has been a supporter of this work for several years now, with some funds having been given to assist in the construction/purchase of the church building several years ago (Northlakes Reformed Baptist Church - NRBC). Please continue to support this work through your prayers.
31/12/2004: Iraq
Following the war in Iraq and with the continuing violence there, Christians in Iraq face increased persecution from Islamic fanatics. In response a large number of Christians have fled to Syria to escape the bombings and persecution of Islamic terrorists directed against them.
Yet there are still people being saved in Iraq. Pray that believers will grow and remain steadfast.
01/01/2005: Nigeria
Remember our brethren in Nigeria where there is continuous and growing tension between the northern Islamic states and the southern Christian states. Violence is obvious on both sides and Christians face the real dilemma on how to maintain a true Christian witness in the face of Sharia Law and persecution.
Estimates place the number of deaths in the last 3 years of civil unrest at about 53 000. Another 300 000 people have been forced from their homes as a result of the ‘religious war’ in Nigeria.
02/01/2005: Kenya
As we pray for our brethren in Kenya we also need to remember that Kenya is currently being devastated by a tremendous famine. Over 2 million people now need emergency assistance.
Nairobi - Keith and Priscilla Underhill
The church in Kenya has had opportunity to witness to many Sudanese refugees. A small number have professed faith but there is concern relating to their manner of living. Opportunities for further ministry to the Sudanese people are being investigated, including the possibility of training believers for ministry.
Large numbers continue to attend the churches, with a number now seeking baptism.
In Kamketo 32 people were recently baptised and added to the church. There are some five churches in the region with about 80 members in total. Elders need to be appointed to these churches. Please pray about this. There is also a need for a church building. There are difficulties with access to many of these churches.
03/01/2005: China
Recent reports estimate that there are some 40 million Christians in communist China. Given that China is very much an anti-Christian state this is a very remarkable figure. However it should not be too surprising, especially given that God is the God of the impossible. Even more remarkable is that the government seems to be supporting some churches, allowing them to rebuild buildings.
Other believers are facing different circumstances. One pastor of several churches in Beijing is facing prison, along with members of his family. Please remember our oppressed brethren in China.
04/01/2005: Indonesia
Tensions are rising again in Indonesia with increased attacks on Christians and Christian churches in recent times. The Muslim war against Christians appears to be re-igniting.
05/01/2005: Philippines
Moonwalk Church - Pastor Steve HofmaierPastor Rolly has been pastoring the Moonwalk Church while Steve Hofmaier has been in the United States on holidays. The church has continued to grow with several more people joining the church and applying for membership. The church is filled to the point of overflowing on most Lord’s Days.
The church plant in Naga is experiencing some difficulties but is remaining steadfast. Please pray for this work and Boy Juntado who is leading the church.
06/01/2005: Australia
Australian Reformed Baptist OutpostPlease remember the work of Aussie Outpost. Progress has been painfully slow just recently due to work commitments and illness. Please pray that I might be able to organise myself better, etc.
I now have the printer I’ve needed to start the work of producing literature for distribution. This will involve getting an edition of ‘The Reformed Pastor’ by Richard Baxter ready for printing and distributing it. The next challenge here will be getting the funds together in order to get copies out to both Ghana and India initially. Please pray about this as the costs will probably be more than I can bear alone.
Visit the web site at:
http://particularbaptist.com/index.html
07/01/2005: South Africa
Florianville Baptist Church - Kimberley - Einfeldts’The Einfeldts’ are continuing to learn Afrikaans, which is the main language in South Africa. Please remember them in prayer as they seek to learn this language, which when learnt will be of great assistance in their ministry.
The Einfeldts’ are pursuing a number of ministry options in their work with Ambassadors International. Please remember to pray for them and the work there. They are keen to work among the young people and are quite involved in teaching life skills and morality to them. They are also involved with an orphans ministry. They are hoping to have the use of an empty building for both ministries - please pray about this. Also pray about possible land for another ministry to orphans.
The Einfeldts are also teaching life skills in several schools, some with disappointing outcomes. There are opportunities for this ministry in other schools also. Please pray about this as well.
More Information:
http://www.einfeldtfamily.org
08/01/2005: Iran
Christians in Iran are also facing fresh rounds of persecution with the Iranian government cracking down on believers, especially church leaders. In recent months some have been detained by the government in unknown locations.
09/01/2005: Spain
Barcelona - Vilassar de Mar - David and Elisabet BarceloThe work is progressing in Barcelona with the church growing in many ways, including growth in numbers. The church is active in many ministry opportunities including that of church planting.
10/01/2005: Croatia
The Brackett FamilyThere have been opportunities to minister in other areas of Croatia including Zadar, Sirac and Prelog, as well as ministering through the publication of a book, the ‘Gospel According to Rome,’ by James McCarthy.
The Bracketts’ are waiting for permanent visas, as their annual visas are about to expire. Please remember this mundane, yet very important concern.
Kris is now the Assistant Dean in the Theological Bible Seminary. He also continues to teach in the seminary.
11/01/2005: Japan
Shimonoseki - Shimonoseki Christ Bible Church - Brian and Yoko BroaddusThere have been some baptisms recently and photos of the baptisms can be found on the web site (see below).
More Information:
http://www.pioneersjapan.org
12/01/2005: Ivory Coast
Gagnoa - EuropresseThe situation in the Ivory Coast has again deteriorated, as many will know from the news. The French military has now been engaged in the civil way destroying the Ivorian airforce recently.
Pastor Paul N’Goran of the church in Gagnoa is continuing to minister in the Ivory Coast, some 250 miles from the capital. It is proving difficult because of the civil unrest, but much of the violence is away from this area of the country. Please remember to pray for the believers in these trying times.
13/01/2005: Nepal
Maoist rebel activity is interrupting missionary activity in Nepal. Maoist rebels control about 60% of Nepal and are seeking a communist government. Please remember the small number of believers in Nepal, a Hindu Kingdom.
14/01/2005: Botswana
The Reformed Baptist churches of Zambia are seeking to plant a church in Botswana. To do this the Zambian churches requires the funding to do so. Kapambwe Nsenduluka, a Zambian, currently travels to Botswana while he awaits a residence permit. He is meeting weekly with a core group of 25 people who desire to see a Reformed Baptist Church established.
15/01/2005: Malta
Trinity Evangelical Church - Pastor Paul MizziPlease remember our brethren in Malta at the Trinity Evangelical Church. Remember the work of the associated ministry ‘Just for Catholics’ as well. ‘Just for Catholics’ is run by Pastor Paul Mizzi’s brother, Joe Mizzi.
Visit the web sites at:
http://www.tecmalta.org/
http://www.justforcatholics.org/
16/01/2005: New Zealand
There are a number of Reformed Baptist churches in New Zealand. All the latest information on these churches is available on the web at the address given below. Please remember our brethren in New Zealand.
Visit the web site:
http://www.rbc.org.nz/directory.html
17/01/2005: Zambia
Lusaka - Lusaka Baptist Church - Pastor Nigel LaceyThe Lusaka Baptist Church is continuing to reach out around the country including in the centres of Livingstone (Southern Province), Mongu (Western Province), Lundazi (Eastern Province), Mpika (Northern Province) and two projects within Lusaka. Each of these has a full-time missionary pastor. Please remember the fantastic work Of Lusaka Baptist Church.
Visit the web site at:
http://www.lusakabaptist.org/
18/01/2005: Ghana
Grace Baptist Mission - Pastor Noah QuarshieThe School Building Project is now underway, though more funding is needed. Please pray about this and if you are able to support the ministry financially please do so.
Visit the web site at:
http://www.gracebaptistmissionghana.org/
19/01/2005: India
Andhra Pradesh - Gilbert DawsonGilbert 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.
20/01/2005: Australia
Mark and Kylie Battese (and daughter Madison)Please pray for Kylie. She is a young mother and wife recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of inoperable cancer. Treatment has begun, with the human outlook being poor.
Both Kylie and Mark are very positive believers, firmly resting in the grace of God, being both fully aware of His sovereign power and being happily resigned to His will whichever way it may lead. None-the-less it is a difficult time for this young family.
21/01/2005: Zambia
Kabwata Baptist Church - Pastor MbeweKabwata Baptist Church is continuing to grow strongly, with many being joined to the membership and seeking baptism. The Lord is blessing the work in many ways. Visit the web site at the URL below for all the recent news of this work.
There are other churches also at work in the surrounding area and the information on these can also be found on the web site.
Visit the web site at:
http://www.kbc.org.zm/
22/01/2005: India
Karnataka - Biblical Baptist Church - Billa NelsonThe church in Karnataka still seeks further support for the building project in India. Apparently there has been little work since 2000.
The Biblical Baptist Church recently saw their founding pastor die. He began the work there in 1958.
23/01/2005: Mexico
Guadalajara - Steve and Robin HenryRecent arrivals in Mexico, Steve and Robin Henry are seeking to learn Spanish at the Harvest Language Center in Guadalajara.
The Henrys’ have settled into the King of Kings Bible Church (Rey de Reyes Iglesia Biblica), which is a church of about 125 people.
Steve and Robin are renting a room in the home of a Mexican family in Guadalajara, a city of 3 million people. Sharing the home with this family is assisting them both in their language studies. Also of help is the fact that the family is Christians as well.
24/01/2005: Germany
Heilbronn Baptist Church - Pastor Audey ShepardThe church is continuing to grow with more people attending and membership is continuing to increase. There have also been several baptisms. American families associated with the military are contacting the church also, seeking a place to worship while based overseas.
13 people are now attending the recently begun German Seminary. This ministry is important as the church seeks to plant more church in the Heilbronn region.
25/01/2005: Philippines
Santa Rosa - Reformed Baptist Bible Church - Pastor Marlon DalinPastor Dalin has pastored the Reformed Baptist Bible Church in Santa Rosa for about 15 years. He was converted in April 1985. He is married to Sally and has three children - Sarah (18), John Lon (16) and John Gaius (11). They live in a rented flat. Please pray for the conversion of Sarah, John Lon and John Gaius.
The church in Santa Rosa was established on March 22, 1987 and now has 18 members, with a further two believers applying for membership. Some 60 people attend on a regular basis each Lord’s Day. The Church also has a Sunday School ministry.
Aussie Outpost has been a supporter of this work for several years now, with some funds having been given to assist in the construction/purchase of the church building several years ago (Northlakes Reformed Baptist Church - NRBC). Please continue to support this work through your prayers.
26/01/2005: Spain
Barcelona - Matt and Nuria LeightonMatt Leighton teaches in the Colegio Biblico de la Gracia in Barcelonia. He is currently teaching New Testament to students. He is also involved with Steve Phillips in improving the college overall. Please pray for this important work in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.
27/01/2005: Slovak Republic
The majority of the Slovak Republic’s population are Roman Catholic. Ecumenism is a growing problem in Slovakia, with many Evangelicals heading down this path. Though Roman Catholicism is currently experiencing something of a revival in Slovakia, the small number of Reformed Evangelicals is growing. With this growth has come an increase in the availability of good Reformed literature. Please pray for more missionaries and sound pastors for this country.
28/01/2005: Uganda
Christians in Uganda are struggling with their faith simply because they cannot afford to buy Bibles. Please remember our brethren in Uganda, their thirst for God’s Word and their frustration at not being able to get hold of the Scriptures for themselves.
29/01/2005: Sri Lanka
Believers in Sri Lanka are continuing to face widespread opposition. There have been threats and attacks against Christians by extremist Buddhists. Remember our brethren in Sri Lanka as they continue to face persecution.
30/01/2005: Sudan
The crisis in Sudan is continuing with many thousands of displaced people in southern Sudan, which is regarded as being ‘Christian.’ The 21 year old civil way in Sudan has been between the Christians and Muslims.
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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