Welcome to the latest issue of the Wider Church Prayer Letter. In this issue we ask you to think about supporting the work of the Outpost BookAid ministry and in particular the various ministries already listed, such as Shalom Indigenous Foundation (Baptist Mission) in Ghana. Other churches featured include the Biblical Baptist Church and the Truth Reformed Baptist Church in India. More information on Outpost BookAid can be found at: http://particularbaptist.com/wider/bookaid.html.
Outpost BookAid ministry updates can be had via the Outpost BookAid Mail Group. This mail group can be joined by visiting the BookAid site at: http://particularbaptist.com/wider/bookaid.html. By being part of the mail group you will receive various updates relating to ministries involved in the BookAid ministry from around the world. The ministry is really an extension of the Wider Church Prayer Letter ministry at Aussie Outpost.
To view the Aussie Outpost Wider Church Prayer Letter in PDF format you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader that can be downloaded from the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
INDIA - KARNATAKA - BIBLICAL BAPTIST CHURCH
The Biblical Baptist Church was planted in 1958 and is currently pastored by Billa Nelson Babu. In the year 2000 the Baptist Bible Institute was opened to assist in the work of evangelism and teaching. Evangelism is a daily activity in and around Karnataka, with the believers sharing a common goal of reaching the lost for Christ and of planting new churches.
There are now four village house churches, five Sunday Schools, four women’s fellowships and two youth clubs in the area. Prayer and Bible study is held on Wednesday nights, with times of prayer and fasting on Friday nights. The church also seeks to assist the disadvantaged in the community through providing food whenever possible.
India is basically a very poor country, with the believers struggling to makes end meet for their own families, let alone supporting the ministers and ministries of the church. Please pray about this situation and if possible assisting the work where possible. Financial aid is needed to complete the church building project (currently held up because of a lack of funds) and the usual ministries of the church.
INDIA - NORTH-EAST INDIA, BURMA AND NEPAL
Churches have been established in this region of Asia in spite of much opposition from both Hindus and Buddhists. This is the region of India in which Pastor James Dhale serves, as has been mentioned in previous issues of this prayer letter. There is a need for Biblical training among the leaders of these churches, as well as continued evangelistic and missionary work. Considering a more permanent ministry to this area of India are Pat Horner and John Sytsma, both from the United States. Please pray for both John and Pat, that they might be able to discern the Lord’s will concerning this ministry. A trip to Manipur and Assam in N E India is planned for December 2003.
Please pray for the following men who labour in N E India: James Dhale, Joseph, R. Ajan, Allen, M. Lovingson, Seth, Lightner, R. Rana, Joy Kumar, M. Philip, David, Kumar, L. Wurgreingam, Sumi, M. Koyang, M. Samuel, Birimani, Nepuni, L. Surchandra, Glenn, Modam Dini, and Y. L. Steward.
SYRIA
Some 17.6 million people live in the Islamic country of Syria. Though largely Islamic (90%), there is a measure of religious freedom. Only 0.1% of the population is considered to be Evangelical and these are closely watched by the government. Please pray that more missionaries will be allowed into the country and that for longer periods of time. Pray also for our brethren who face enormous pressure from their Islamic countrymen.
SENEGAL
The West African country of Senegal is home to 10.5 million people, who are largely Islamic. However, there is freedom of religion at the moment. There are now growing concerns that the Islamic Sharia Law will soon be introduced to the country. There are very few Christians in the country, despite missionary effort. Some 4% of the population are Roman Catholic, with 90% being Muslim.
In recent times there have been several Bible translations made available for several of the language groups in Senegal. Bible Schools have been set up and some indigenous people are now training for ministry in the country. However, large areas of the country have still not been reached with the gospel, which may become even a greater challenge under Sharia Law should it be introduced.
GERMANY - HEILBRONN - AUDEY SHEPARD
The church continues to grow, with more people attending. A baptism service is to be held soon where two elderly sisters are to be baptised.
The search also continues for a new building, as the current one no longer is large enough for present needs. Meeting times have had to be adjusted due to the limited size of the building. Please pray about this, as well as the finances needed for such a building. There is also a need for new song books, as the present ones are beginning to fall apart.
The church continues its outreach activities through tract distribution and preaching in the streets once a month. The church continues to seek out new ways of reaching those about Heilbronn. There is also a passion for planting Reformed Baptist churches in Germany, but limited finances to allow the church to currently do so.
MEXICO - GUADALAJARA - DAVID SITTON
David Sitton is currently seeking to learn Spanish for his work in Mexico. The ministry involves planting churches in the interior of Mexico, including such places as Media Luna, The Island of Men, La Barra de la Cruz and among the Coicoyan tribe in the Oaxaca Mountains area.
GHANA - SHALOM INDIGENOUS FOUNDATION
The following are the needs of the Shalom Indigenous Foundation, of which Pastor Noah Quarshie is the pastor. Please pray about these matters and perhaps helping the work if you are able.
The Baptist mission requires Bibles and study books. The School requires computers, stationery, pens, calculators, ink jets for Canon BJC 250, Epson 600 and 800, Hewlett Parker Laser Jet 6p and any other school supplies like paper and exercise books for students.
Other needs include solar panels, inverters and light bulbs, medical supplies, antibiotics, pain killers, bandages, temperature gauges or monitors, blood pressure monitors, eye drops, mouth wash and anything else for a medical post. For general needs - summer used clothing, shoes, spark plugs for a Dodge Ram 1992, Isuzu Trooper II 1998, Toyota pickup 1993 and motor oil, etc.
The mission also needs $5000 for shipping and at least between $1500-$2000 for clearing at the Ghana port (total $7000). Keep on praying for the $12 000 need for the concrete work on the High School building.
The sponsorship for pastors is $50 for singles men and $100 for the married men in Salaga, Northern Ghana. Student sponsorship is $300 per year for the High school students and $450 per year for the Bible school students. The Orphans is $300 for school and $1.00 for feeding per day or $30 per month. This comes out to be $660 per year for one Orphan. Currently there are seven instead of nine. The Radio Ministry is $50 per week or $200 per Month. Overall the need of the Ministry here is $4800 per Month, this include $1500 personal support. The level of the support is just 30%.
BELARUS
The former Soviet republic of Belarus is well on the road to further harassment of Christians. The republic is now considering seriously the opening of centres that will basically be used to ‘re-educate’ people. Any public meeting deemed against the ‘public interest’ will cause the organization behind it to be ‘liquidated’ under new laws.
Already law in the country is the banning of religious meetings on private property (unless occasional and small), religious groups not registered with the government and foreigners having any leadership of religious organizations in the country. All religious literature is now censured.
SRI LANKA
There are moves to bring in a new anti-conversion law in Sri Lanka, effectively making it impossible to change your religion. Since the law has come up for discussion, Buddhists have been attacking Christians throughout the country.
ISRAEL - GRACE AND TRUTH
The shell of the new building is almost complete, with various aspects of the building project being undertaken by those in the church where possible. There is currently a need to ready the building for the winter weather. The building project will continue as the means for doing so are provided.
Grace and Truth are also working on a Children’s Bible, with the second volume being recently completed.
Website URL: www.graceandtruthbulletin.org
ISRAEL - VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS - ANTONY SIMON
Voice in the Wilderness recently held a children’s camp in the area of Galilee and the Jordan River. Another is planned for December this year, with a further two the following year, one for children and the other for teenagers. Special meetings for Young Adults are also about to begin.
New people are continuing to attend the church, with a baptism held recently. The bus tours of historical Jewish and Christian sites continues to attract some 20 people each week, providing further evangelistic opportunities.
In August 2004 Voice in the Wilderness is going to have a special visitors scheme going whereby Christians can go to Israel and assist them in evangelistic ministry. If interested, please contact Antony.
If you wish to assist the church financially, please note the following:
Moriel P O Box 100223 Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Mark them
Jerusalem Fund / Antony Simon/ Voice in the Wilderness
You can send funds directly to our bank account:
Barclays Bank
Account No.: 40844012
Code No.:20
– 47 - 34
Swift Code: BARCGB22
SOUTH AFRICA - THE EINFELDTS’
Rene and Sonia continue to attend the Northway Baptist Church. In good news from the church itself, an Indian man was recently converted, bringing joy to both his wife and the church, as well as to himself. Thank God for his salvation and pray for his spiritual growth.
In the latest news things don’t appear as ‘good’ with this man’s profession (see above) - please pray for him and his wife. They have now separated, though there are efforts to bring about a reconciliation. There is quite a lot involved in the family’s situation. Please pray for them and the spiritual oversight concerned with them both.
Rene and Sonia are no longer serving with Bethesda Outreach International, but continue to serve with Evangelical Baptist Missions. With this in mind please pray for Rene and Sonia, that the Lord would indeed direct their feet into the path that He has for them. They return to the USA from South Africa on September 28 to report to their sending church on their situation and then decide just what to do. They have been looking into other ministry possibilities in South Africa.
SPAIN - GANDIA - IGLESIA BAUTISTA EMANUEL
Some 5 000 leaflets containing information about the church and the gospel message have been distributed in the area. People have been coming along to church regularly. Please pray for the effectiveness of the gospel message to these people and for the area around the church.
Radio Buenas Noticias (Good News) is moving closer to being on air. This station will broadcast the gospel throughout this region of Spain (500 000 people).
Oliva, next to Gandia, is being considered for a second church plant in the region. Please pray about this possible development.
SWITZERLAND
There are some 7 million people living in Switzerland. The country enjoys freedom of religion, yet there are few real Christians. Only 4% of the population are considered to be Evangelical. Please pray that the Lord might bless this country with revival.
UNITED STATES - OKLAHOMA
HEARTLAND BAPTIST CHURCH OF
OKLAHOMA CITY
The new church plant has been called Heartland Baptist Church of Oklahoma City. The first meeting was held on September 14. There are three pastors working together on the project, including Chris Humphreys. Please pray for the various financial needs of the men and families involved in the church plant, as well as for the church plant itself. Lord-willing further churches will be planted in Oklahoma as the Lord prospers this first church plant.
PHILIPPINES - CUBAO REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH
The Cubao Church recently celebrated its 24th year (August 2) of existence and service to the Lord in the Philippines.
There are some 50 men currently enrolled in Grace Ministerial Academy. The church is looking to expand the premises in order to meet its growing needs. An appeal for financial aid is being made in this important project. The academy has been an important tool for Biblical reformation in the Philippines.
CROATIA - KRAPINA - THE BRACKETTS’
Please continue to pray for the Brackett family in Krapina, Croatia. The church there is continuing to minister faithfully, with various ones attending who are unsaved. Family members are preventing others from attending. Please pray for these various situations and for the Lord to be powerfully at work in the church.
NAMIBIA - EASTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH - WINFHOEK INDHOEK
JOACHIM RIECK
From August 3 to 7 the third annual Namibian Grace Conference was held, with the theme being that of God-centred evangelism and missions. Some 30 pastors attended the sessions held specifically for pastors. Please pray for the on-going effects of this conference and of what was taught.
ANGOLA - MENONGUE
CALVIN AND SHELLY BRAIN (ALSO CHARITY
AND CHARISSA)
Menongue is a city of 120 000 people, with little in the way of electricity and running water. The church here is well attended and growing, with a city-wide outreach effort to begin soon. Please pray for this effort.
Also pray concerning the brethren in this city, with many homes destroyed or damaged because of the civil way that raged for many years. Many live in very trying circumstances.
UNITED STATES - AUBURN - ALABAMA
A new church plant has begun in Auburn, Alabama. The work is called Intown Church and is under the leadership of Stan Reeves. Visit the website at:
Website URL: http://www.intownchurch.org/
PHILIPPINES - SANTA ROSA
REFORMED BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
I recently received an email from Pastor Marlon Dalin of the Reformed Baptist Bible Church in Santa Rosa in the Philippines. You may remember that the church was mentioned in this prayer letter and an appeal was given for assistance in helping the church with its building project. Northlake’s Reformed Baptist Church (NRBC) was able to provide some help. This is what Pastor Dalin had to say in his email:
Dear Pastors and Brethren,
Greetings from Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines!
I am attaching some of the photographs taken from our new acquired lot and new church building (although not completely finished yet but is now usable) to give you brethren, a look to our building project realized by the grace of God through your concerted effort. Praise be to our God!
I am also writing this short letter to convey once again our deepest appreciation for your help to us here in Santa Rosa and for making our building project a reality. Thank you very much for your generous support to our church here.
Brethren, may I request to continue to pray for us? Thank you.
Yours in the love of Christ,
Pastor Marlon A. Dalin
On behalf of all the members
and attendees of the Reformed Baptist Bible Church-Santa Rosa, Laguna,
Philippines
ABOVE: The Reformed Baptist Bible Church’s new Building.
ABOVE: The Church and Sunday School
VISIT US ONLINE
Please visit The Aussie Reformed Baptist Outpost online
at:
http://particularbaptist.com/index.html
The Outpost Wider Church Awareness Site can be found
at:
http://particularbaptist.com/wider/widerindex.html
For email contact and further information regarding aid
to the various ministries mentioned in the prayer letter, Kevin can be contacted
at:
nrbcpastorkev@yahoo.com.au
If 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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