DR Congo: Ebola outbreak

CMS-Africa write, “Pray for God’s protection over communities affected by the recent Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo and surrounding areas. Pray for healthcare workers, government authorities, churches and humanitarian organisations responding to the outbreak. Ask God for wisdom, adequate resources and effective containment measures to prevent further spread of the disease and to bring healing to those who are sick, and comfort to those who have lost loved ones.”

Read on the CMS blog how the church is responding to Ebola.

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Ecuador: new pastor needed at Cuenca Christian Church

Mission associate Johnny Pinos is pastor of Cuenca Christian Church’s bilingual congregation. His wife, mission partner Beverley Cannon de Pinos, supports him in his role and helps meet a variety of practical and spiritual needs within the church. Johnny is now over 70 and wants to hand over some leadership responsibilities, but is struggling to find a successor. Pray for God to bring the right person at the right time who can take over from Johnny and lead the congregation.

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Middle East: training for young Christian leaders

Give thanks for a training programme for Christian leaders from Muslim backgrounds which has been taking place this week and is drawing to a close this weekend. Pray for the leaders participating in the training to draw encouragement from their time with other leaders in the region and discover new ideas and fresh strength for their ministry. Pray for safety as they all travel home at the end of the weekend.  

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Philippines: syntropic farming

Mission partners Eric and Sandra Read are leading the way in syntropic (regenerative and sustainable) farming, using their farm in the Philippines to demonstrate syntropic farming methods and encouraging people of all ages to care for creation.

Pray for a meeting taking place next month where local farmers will gather to discuss syntropic farming methods – pray for people to be engaged and to see the value of these methods.

Pray for a few farmers to come forward to train and work with Eric and Sandra. Please also pray for a swift and full recovery for Sandra, who injured her knee in March and has not fully recovered yet.

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South Asia: theological education

Former mission partner F, who has spent many years teaching theology in South Asia, asks for prayer for preparations for upcoming training for theology students. Next month, around 90 theology students at various levels will attend a residential camp where three courses will be taught: Christian Family Life, Asian Church History and a new course called Biblical Mission. Pray for the students as they register and begin their course work this month and for the teachers/facilitators and Bible study leaders as they prepare. Especially pray for N, who still has to complete writing the final lessons of the mission course.

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UK: Pioneering Parishes

CMS’s Pioneering Parishes programme supports churches to turn their focus outwards to reach people in the community who are unlikely to come to them. The leaders of the programme are currently waiting to hear whether they will receive funding for another three years. Pray for wisdom for those making this decision and for God’s will to be done.

Give thanks for a new book coming out by the Pioneering Parishes team, Into All The Parish – pray for this book to inspire and encourage many churches in mission.

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Asia: rooted in Christ, peace in transition

As persecution increases across the region, Asia-CMS ask for prayer for Christians to remain faithful and firmly rooted in Jesus. Pray also for partners who are in the process of relocating their families: for peace for each family during this time of upheaval, and for practicalities to fall into place as they step forward into what God has for them next.

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Bolivia: successful English course

Andrew and Lisa Peart work with a local church in Santa Cruz to engage with their community in pioneering mission in a variety of ways, including LOGOS English course, led by Lisa and held in their church building.

Give thanks for the current LOGOS group (with an impressive age range of 16–60!), which is finishing at the end of May after eight months. Praise God for new friendships and that participants’ hearts have been opened to receive his love and his Word.

Pray for the church, Cristo Luz del Mundo (Christ the Light of the World), as they journey together into teaching on transformed lives and intentional discipleship.  

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DR Congo, South Sudan, Uganda: Ebola

There have been 220 suspected deaths from Ebola since an outbreak was declared in DR Congo on 15 May. Pray for ongoing protection for CMS partner Bisoke Balikenga and his colleagues, and for those they minister to through a peace centre in Bunia.

Please also pray for mission partner Martin Gordon, Bishop of Goma, and local churches as they offer healthcare and support communities.

Uganda has now fully closed its border with DR Congo, putting South Sudan at higher risk from anyone wanting to leave DR Congo.

Pray for mission partner Nicci Maxwell, a doctor who focuses on paediatric and neonatal medical care in Juba, South Sudan, and her colleagues, as they handle whatever might come their way.

Pray for protection from Ebola across all three countries, and for the virus to be contained.

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Lebanon: ongoing conflict

Southern Lebanon has recently been hit by waves of Israeli strikes. At least 11 people have died as a result of the latest strikes, according to the Lebanese health ministry. In Tyre, residents are being urged to evacuate in anticipation of more strikes. Pray for God to turn hearts to peace and ultimately for resolution. Pray for all who are affected by this conflict – for comfort for those who are grieving and a way forward together.  

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Middle East: training for young Christian leaders

CMS partners are providing training for Christian leaders from Muslim backgrounds in the region next week, 4–7 June. Pray for safety in travel and for all participants to come away empowered, envisioned and built up for the next phase of their ministry.

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Tanzania: sharing the gospel despite challenges

CMS partners in Tanzania ask for prayer for Christians in Zanzibar, who are in a minority and suffer persecution from people of other faiths. Last weekend, a church building was vandalised and some church members were injured. Our partners write, “Despite all that has happened, we continue to stand in faith, knowing that God still reigns.” Give thanks for their dedication in the face of adversity and pray for encouragement as they continue to build God’s church in Zanzibar.

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