Welcome to this months 'NRBC Wider Church Prayer Letter.' In this month's prayer letter you will again find plenty of information and news to assist you in praying for the wider church.
As I have been receiving the various Emails from around the world telling me of what has been going on in these various countries and churches, I have found myself increasingly encouraged by what the Lord is doing in my world. Sure some Christians are suffering terribly, but how God is keeping these men faithful in trying circumstances!
As I have struggled with various difficulties in the last month, I have been suitably rebuked by these faithful brethren and their example. What have I had to endure and suffer in contrast to these faithful men and women? Surely my lot is one of ease in contrast to my brethren in Kazakhstan and Nigeria, and in other places.
Brethren, please remember one another around the world in prayer before the throne of grace, for without the aid of the Holy Spirit what hope have we at all to remain steadfast in our faith in the face of such seemingly overwhelming circumstances? Yes the Lord is our Strength and exceeding great reward!
If you are able to contribute information, news, or whatever it might be - please email the information to me at nrbcpastorkev@yahoo.com.au for consideration.
REFORMED BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
The Reformed Baptist Bible Church of Santa Rosa in the Philippines is still in need of both our prayers and financial assistance. The church pastored by Marlon Dalin currently meets in rented facilities, and these it must vacate by the end of April. A new meeting place is desperately needed. Please pray that a suitable place may be found, and please also give of your money, so that our brethren in the Philippines will have a place in which they can meet. If you can assist, please contact me at nrbcpastorkev@yahoo.com.au, and I will give you the info. that is necessary for you to be able to assist. Thankyou to those brethren that were able to help by giving to our February social night collection - we appreciate that help, as do our brethren in the Philippines.
Please remember Marlon also, for he continues to suffer from an eye disease (Behcet's Syndrome) that needs almost weekly treatment. His condition does cause difficulties for his ministry from time to time. Marlon asks us to pray that the Lord might completely heal him of this affliction.
Latest info. on the church at:
CHILE
The Rancagua Bible Center (Union de Centros Biblicos) is a Baptist mission in Chile. Serving here is Ray Harbaugh and his family.
The work started five years ago, and there are now some 25-30 people in regular attendance. The church currently meets in the Harbaugh living room. An adequate meeting place (with size and cost considerations) is required, so that there is room for both the meetings and Sunday School.
Please pray for Jacob and Hernan, two faithful Chilean leaders who have been used of God in the work. Both men are married and have children. They are actively involved in assisting Ray with teaching, visitation, and discipleship.
The three men meet Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 9am (sometimes longer) for prayer and leadership training. Pray for their continued spiritual growth and leadership development. Ray says, 'It is a great blessing to have their help.'
CHINA
The church in China continues to suffer persecution, with one pastor facing the death penalty on trumped up charges. Women within his church were tortured to get false testimonies regarding his alleged crimes of arson and rape, of which he was later found guilty. The women had been bound and tortured with electric clubs. He is currently awaiting an opportunity to appeal the decision. The name of this pastor is Gong Shengliang.
Also there is a crackdown on unregistered churches in China, with thousands having been arrested, and some having been killed.
MAURITANIA
Mauritania is an almost totally Muslim country (99%) of some 2.7 million people. No missionaries are allowed into the country, with conversion being also against the law. There are no Bibles available for the people in their native tongue. If there are Christians in Mauritania they face great danger.
FRANCE
The French secret police have increased their scrutiny of minority groups, including Baptist and Evangelical Christians. To aid this crackdown on minority groups, 'mental manipulation' has become a crime in France. Clearly this is viewed as a threat to evangelism, for it is seen as serious and repeated pressure upon targeted individuals. It is also an offence to advertise and open religious centers near schools, hospitals and retirement homes.
There have even been talks between China and France on the French model for dealing with minority groups.
GEORGIA
The second highest bishop in the Georgian Orthodox Church has called for all sectarians to be killed. This includes Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, Anglicans, Charismatics, etc. Georgia is one of the former Soviet Republics.
KAZAKHSTAN
Tursunbai Auelbekov, of the southern Kazakh town of Turkestan was recently arrested for carrying out illegal activity. This man from the Evangelical-Christian Baptist Church had been distributing Christian material in Kazakh. However being in ill health he was released and the confiscated literature returned.
TURKEY
Some sixty three small Protestant churches have had legal proceedings brought against them for having unlawful meetings. What this means is that the Christians have been meeting in unauthorized places, such as in private homes, etc.
EGYPT
Egypt has been experiencing an alarming increase in Islamic militancy in the last 20 years. In recent times various 'Christian' buildings and churches have been attacked and destroyed. It can take some 20 years to gain the needed approval to build replacement meeting places and this seems to be driving the Islamic attacks.
INDIA
There appears to be a growing organized movement against Christianity in India, in order to establish a Hindu race and Hinduism as the State religion.
The Royal Ambassador's Academy in north-east India is seeking to reach areas in north-east India, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Bangladesh is generally speaking closed to the gospel. In Myanmar it is illegal to establish mission schools. In both Bhutan and Nepal new works have begun.
MALAYSIA
In Malaysia Muslims are working actively against Christianity and these are becoming more violent.
In Malaysia it is illegal to evangelize Muslims, with Christians having been imprisoned for doing so. Christians are often discriminated against in Malaysia.
MALDIVES
The Maldive Islands south of India are made up of some 1200 islands and a population of 300 000 mostly Muslim people. No other religions are recognized and citizens are not allowed to practice any.
In the 1990's Christians in the Maldives were imprisoned and expatriates that evangelized were expelled.
VIETNAM
Though believers still face oppression and persecution in Vietnam, Vietnamese leaders have entered into talks with both Americans and Europeans concerning religious freedom in Vietnam.
SOUTH AFRICA
The following paragraph is a quote from Rene and Sonia Einfeldt ministering in South Africa:
'Bethesda Outreach International is a ministry of compassion. We are endeavoring to rescue HIV-free orphans whose parents have died of AIDS. To accomplish this, we are building orphan villages where children can be harbored in homes with their own South African "mommy". AIDS is pandemic in its proportions in sub-Saharan Africa; 7,000 to 8,000 people die DAILY of this scourge in sub-Saharan Africa. Our ministry has begun in South Africa, in the community of Hammanskraal, just north of Pretoria. The goal of Bethesda Outreach is to have three such villages up and running within five years. Besides the work with the children in the village, BOI also endeavors to have a community outreach. The government of South Africa has given us access into their schools for just about anything we would like to do: help tutor the students to help them get farther ahead in life, teach health, teach morality and abstinence education, as well as teach the Bible. We hope to help the community also by giving the grandparents and teens who are left with young children to care for, a means of earning a living in order to put food on the table. Community outreach is limited only by one's imagination. The ultimate goal of Bethesda Outreach is to bring up a generation of responsible South African citizens who know Christ and will be the Church of Tomorrow even in the poorer township areas of South Africa. We feel that no matter how much education, "safe sex", and government programs there are, the only REAL answer to the pandemic problem in South Africa is Jesus Christ. It is to Him that we look for guidance and wisdom in this new, innovative ministry. We would appreciate your prayers.'
LIVE OAK - FLORIDA UNITED STATES
Our brother Bill Pedersen and his wife are currently working on a gospel presentation for door to door work in their area of Live Oak, Florida in the United States.
The Pedersen's attend a church pastored by Aaron Turner, the . At present 50 people attend the church. It is the only Refomed Southern Baptist Church in the area. Please pray that the pastor might have clarity of thought and wisdom in his preaching and teaching ministry.
REFORMATION IRELAND
The following quote is from Raymond Stewart:
'The St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin's fair city might well be described as the greatest cultural extravaganza of the Irish year funded by 'the Celtic tiger' in the form of The Irish government, Bord Failte, Dublin City Council and The Arts Council of Ireland and sponsored by a host of other agencies including Guinness and The Irish National Lottery. This funding amounted to some two and a half million euros.
'As one who was privileged to be present to 'soak up the atmosphere' in March 2002 one became increasingly conscious that the ethos of the whole weekend including the parade was representative of a pagan, pluralistic Ireland with no mention hardly of Patrick's missionary zeal which brought the Gospel to Ireland from Dumbarton in Scotland many centuries ago!
'It was therefore another door open for those representing REFORMATION IRELAND to witness in the open-air close by to the parade to the gospel of Christ, which was the gospel of Patrick! Grafton Street in Dublin city centre was thick with part of the throng of some 500,000 folk joining in for the festivities on Sunday 17th March. Around 1.30pm we positioned ourselves beside the statue of 'sweet Molly Malone', a landmark for many tourists, an ideal spot as twelve of us (five from Dublin and seven from Northern Ireland) sought to witness by tract distribution towards the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
'Loudspeaker equipment was utilised for a few minutes as Mark Fitzpatrick and Rev Ray Pulman preached faithfully to the crowds from behind a pulpit in pouring rain. The printed message did get a little wet but we were thankful that over 1,000 folk received our JC Ryle tract 'What is it to be saved?' and many copies of the Gospel of John and other suitable TBS material. There were mockers and scoffers with alcohol consumed but many listened and received literature gladly!
'As we left we rejoiced at such an opportunity as there appeared to be few if any other Christians in Grafton Street witnessing, perhaps because it was Sunday? We walked to Wynn's Hotel in O'Connell Street where we had planned a rally with our own refreshments. Between 3.45 and 6pm we enjoyed Christian fellowship, a warm fire and delicious sandwiches prepared by Dublin ladies in support of our witness on the day. There was a service of worship, Rev Ray Pulman chairing with three Psalms sung in praise and a message from JONAH by Mark Fitzpatrick, local REFORMATION IRELAND representative.
'On a day of festivity and culture when the multitudes thought little of Patrick's real message we were privileged to proclaim it with the prayer on our hearts that Ireland might again be 'a land of saints and scholars' for the glory of God alone. We humbly express our appreciation to all who prayed for us on the day. James 5 v16
'SOLA GRATIA - SOLA FIDE - SOLI DEO GLORIA!'
Raymond Stewart, 20th March 2002
KRYGYZSTAN
A young Baptist is facing a term in a mental hospital for belonging to an unregistered church. He also would not swear a military oath and also refused to bear arms.
ZHYTOMYER - UKRAINE
The Grace Baptist Church of Zhytomyer in the Ukraine continues to grow. This church begun in 1997 now has 75 members. Three more people were saved in recent weeks.
An old van is used twice a week (Friday and Saturday nights) to transport the pastor and a singing group to surrounding towns in order to preach the gospel. In the last three years two new churches were planted, and two preachers were raised up by God.
A large building (the former cinema) has been purchased so that in the future 1000 people can be invited along.
Please continue to pray for Vitlay Balan and the Grace Baptist Church.
The church is often treated as heretical because it is Calvinistic.
SUDAN
A government declared Jihad against Animists and Christians has continued in Sudan since it was declared in 1989. Some 2 million people have been killed during this time.
Christian women are gang-raped and have their breasts cut off. Christians who refuse to convert to Islam are slaughtered.
AUSTRALIA - NORTHLAKE'S REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH (NRBC)
Please continue to pray for our church here in Australia. We are having very few responses to our evangelistic efforts. It seems as though no-one is interested in the gospel. Yet we know the Lord has His people. Please pray to the Lord of the harvest on our behalf. Continuing bad health is a problem for us all here at the moment, seriously hindering our evangelistic efforts. Thankfully my health has improved in recent days.
In news just to hand, the NRBC Social Night set down for March 30 has been cancelled. Kevin has suffered another back injury at work, different to the one he suffered back in January. The cancelled 'NRBC Pilgrim's Night' will now be held in May. The back injury is such that there is difficulty even in walking.
COLORADO - USA - STEVE HAMMOND
We mentioned Steve in our last prayer letter. He has now finished up at the Estes Park Southern Baptist Church (Colorado) as pastor. The church there has allowed Steve's family to continue in the house over April while he looks for work and housing in the Dallas region of Texas.
The family will be attending the Heritage Baptist Church in Mansfield when suitable housing is found. Here Steve will be observed for future ministry as a Reformed Baptist.
PUERTO RICO
David Surpless (wife Norma) is the pastor of the Manati church in Puerto Rico. He often makes missionary trips to Spanish speaking countries such as the Dominican Republic.
Part of David's work is to use the Internet to reach into Spanish speaking lands. This includes Internet Radio, with Voice of Grace Radio (Radio Voz De Gracia). David is aiming at 24 hours a day broadcasting, whenever satellite or cable Internet connection is established.
To visit the site:
If you are able to sponsor a student in the Dominican Republic at the La Romana Church and School please contact David.
Contact David at:
MARTINIQUE
Martinique is an island between Dominica and Saint Lucia in the Caribbean Sea. It has a population of some 400 000 people, of whom 80% are Roman Catholic and only 5% are Evangelicals.
Please pray that the Lord would bless the gospel in this French Colony in the Caribbean.
MALI
Mali is located in north-west Africa, with a population of some 11 million people, of whom 90% are Muslim. Yet Mali enjoys freedom of religion, with 1% of the population recognized as Evangelical Christians. This country is open to the gospel, yet there are few workers there.
Bible translation work is continuing, however literacy is low and so cassettes are often used.
ECUADOR
The work in Ecuador has recently received accreditation from the government to grant degrees in Ecuador. Also a Master's level program in conjunction with Miami International Seminary (a reformed effort to promote theological education in Latin America) is beginning.
David is now involved in a 6 week course to train church planters among the indigenous population. Currently there is one pastor for every five churches and a need exists for thousands of new churches to be established among the Highland Quichua people. A book written by David on how to train these church planters has generated a lot of excitement, for which he is thankful.
PALESTINE
In Palestine Christians living in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority are experiencing growing persecution. Christians are being harassed, there shops destroyed and Christian girls are being raped. These Christians include Palestinian Christians.
NEW ZEALAND
In Wellington there is a small Reformed Baptist Church planting that has been going for some three years. There are now about 10 regular attenders at the meetings.
Please pray for this relatively young work (it's older than NRBC by about a year or so). This fellowship is some 6 hours away from the nearest Reformed Baptist Church.
The Reformed Baptist scene in New Zealand is generally very encouraging. The churches are investigating ways that the churches can grow in their co-operation with one another.
The link below is for the Reformed Baptist churches of New Zealand.
VISIT US ONLINE
Our Wider Church Awareness Site can be found at: http://particularbaptist.com/wider/widerindex.html
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10/10/2006
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