From the desk of Amy Wadlow
I love being a part of something bigger than myself. It not only keeps me from living in a self-focused place, but I get excited knowing so much more can be accomplished when we work together as God intended, each of us using our own gifts, skills, talent and calling.
If you’re newer to our Neighborhood Church family and still figuring out our lingo, we are a part of a larger denomination called the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). Working together with churches around the globe, we are advancing the kingdom of God by keeping missionaries (or “International Workers” as we call them) on the field. They’re in countries that are both open to the gospel, or “closed” and our workers are there serving in “day jobs” and sharing the love and power of Jesus. In addition to the C&MA work, we partner with others to accomplish the work the Lord is doing both here in our neighborhoods and to the nations.
One of my roles at Neighborhood Church is to oversee missions. Every year I get a report from all our supported workers as to what they’ve seen the Lord accomplish this year as well as what they’re praying into and trusting Him for in the coming year. Occasionally they’re with us in person to share their stories, but I thought you might enjoy hearing what was submitted on their annual report to us. Join me in celebrating what the Lord has done and praying into His big vision for those we work with and through.
Christian and Missionary Alliance partners:
Dave & Adella serve in a “closed” country. Not only did they see twelve people leave the Muslim faith and be baptized as born again Christians, but they have been discipling a group of eight men, at least four of whom will be ordained this year as C&MA pastors, and will be launched to start their own fellowships in their predominately Muslim country. We can pray for the start of these healthy churches, as well as for the publication and distribution of a book of 102 Bible stories written in a village language.
In Cambodia, we are partnering with the International Workers on the field where there are so many stories of amazing ministry occurring. The salvation of many people, healings, deliverance, discipleship, and so much more, is taking place. To hear more of their story and be encouraged, click here.
Non-C&MA Partners:
The Stoimenova family is serving in Bulgaria. This past year they were overjoyed to resume a summer camp for the children in the orphanages they minister to, including sharing the gospel and helping some of the older kids install a Bible app on their phones. They’ve also been working to get Bulgaria Without Orphans registered as a non-profit with the goal of Christians working together to end the institutionalization of children in Bulgaria. We can join them in praying for partnership with other believers and child protection agencies as they come together to identify and discuss issues, as well as for Spas as he seeks to regularly minister to young men in the juvenile detention center.
Stan and Patty Gibson are serving with Wycliff Bible Translators to translate the Bible into the language of the Bwaidoka people in Papua New Guinea. We are celebrating that the New Testament has been checked for accuracy and for spelling as well, and that breakthrough in dealing with a translation issue regarding “forgiveness” has been successfully resolved. Join them in praying for the final reading of the new testament by the native speakers and that this year it can be sent to print.
Gaylord Enns is celebrating that “It’s been so good to get Love Revolution: Rediscovering the Lost Command of Jesus launched.” Join us in praying for fruitful ministry as he meets with pastors and friends sharing the command to love one another.
Larry Lane serves with Kingdom Catalyst. This year Larry has been developing and launching a 24-week course to train parents in discipling their children. He and his wife Carol have partnered to write a children’s book series detailing the great revivals and awakenings. He’s also celebrating having trained 18 new regional directors in the Journey to Transformation program. Let’s partner with Larry in prayer for funding of these two potentially life changing resources.
Partnerships with InterVarsity as they Minister to College Students:
Chris & Liz Thrasher Wheatley serve as leaders of the Oregon/Northern CA region. This year they launched ministry on three new campuses; two in Southern Oregon and at Simpson College in Redding. Throughout the COVID pandemic, not only did the Lord provide and they retained all their staff, but they were able to hire three new interns to intentionally focus on ministry on community college campuses. As a church family we can serve by praying into a few upcoming staff changes, that their staff team is fully financially funded, and for ministry, as they seek to stabilize campuses and chapters that have been more affected by covid.
Elliott Haught is serving in the East Bay Area. Elliott is celebrating the recruitment and supervising, and mentoring of a former student as an InterVarsity staff intern during the 2021-2022 academic year at St. Mary’s College, as well as a successful launch of a weekly Bible study for varsity athletes at CSU East Bay. Elliott asks us to join him in praying for students to make intentional decisions to follow Jesus and commit to joining God’s mission on campus and beyond.
Danielle Knight serves in Humboldt County. Ministry has grown this year even in the midst of being online. Students have stepped up into leadership positions, helping lead Bible studies and disciple their peers. Join Danielle in praying for the logistics of a student intern coming online for this next school year and for Danielle as she leads a couple of spiritual formation retreats in Northern CA.
On Behalf of these workers, Thank You!
Please join us in praying that this year is incredibly fruitful for each of these ministries.
When you give to Neighborhood Church, you give to their work and partner with them in advancing the kingdom of God into the darkness.
Our Sunday Morning Worship Service in the Dome begins at 10:00 a.m. We hope to see you there.
You can also live stream our service on Facebook and YouTube at 10:00 a.m..
If you missed last Sunday's message from our summer series 1000 Names: #7 "Abba" "Father", click here.
