Brno, Czech Republic: new church premises needed

Give thanks for what God is doing through mission partners Lea and Petra Williams in Brno, Czech Republic. Alongside leading the Anglican congregation, Lea and Petra are involved in evangelism and discipleship among students and support Ukrainian refugees and Czech families in hardship through a local charity. Lea and Petra request prayer for a new premises needed for their church community and also for wisdom in deciding which ministry opportunities they should pursue.

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Kyiv, Ukraine: ongoing attacks and power cuts

We thank God that the Tabernacle of the Living God (TLG) church, whom mission partner Alison Giblett serves alongside, remained safe during the latest Russian attacks on Kyiv. Following these attacks on power stations and on the infrastructure, scheduled power cuts have been reinstated and Alison asks for prayer for the engineers and technicians as they work to keep power flowing. The cost of fuel has also gone up by 17 per cent in the last three months. Please continue to pray for Alison and the people she is serving alongside as they continue to live and serve in these incredibly difficult circumstances.

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Europe, Middle East and North Africa: CMS conference

Please pray for a gathering of staff and people in mission working across the Europe, Middle East and North Africa region that is taking place this week. Pray that their time together would be a chance for refreshment, encouragement and strengthening relationships.

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Ukraine: ongoing war

Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and CMS partner Alison Giblett and her church in Kyiv as they offer practical and spiritual support to as many people as they can.

Alison asks for prayer for all Ukrainians captured in the war – both prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians.

Pray for those who are still in captivity to be released, and for healing from trauma and restoration of family relationships for those who have been released.

Pray for hearts to be turned to peace and for the war to be brought to an end.

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Through simple acts like baking cookies and making space for spontaneous conversations, C and V* and their family have made the most of a recent move from coastal Spain to Madrid.

Perhaps their experiences will inspire you to love your neighbours in new ways?

New place, new possibilities

The security guard at our new housing complex claimed to not believe in God. But one day when V was coming home from the park with our kids, she asked him how he was doing.

We can’t remember exactly what he said but his response was unusual enough to make V pause and sensitively ask some questions. This led to a whole conversation about guilt, remorse and how Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we do not need to carry our guilt and remorse anymore.

Standing by the main door of our complex, V offered to pray for this man. He was very keen for prayer for him and his family, so she started to pray right there. The security guard’s eyes filled with tears. It helped us realise that, even if people claim not to believe in God, they are desperate for hope.

The move to Madrid

This is just one of the everyday encounters we’ve experienced since our somewhat stressful move from a small town on the Spanish coast closer to the capital, Madrid, in 2025. If you’ve ever moved, you’ll know it’s a daunting experience, especially when you go to a place where you don’t know anyone. But God has brought us to the right place and surprised and blessed us with wonderful new neighbours. We were especially delighted when we discovered that another two Christian families had moved into the very same housing complex. We believe God has put us in this neighbourhood together for a purpose.

Holiday hospitality

As well as sharing fellowship with these families, we have been finding opportunities to connect with the people around us. This started back in October, at Halloween, as we wanted to do something to celebrate life. V and a neighbour got our families together to bake cookies and wrapped them up with Bible verses for neighbours.

The mums spent the evening praising God and praying for the neighbours, for the community and for Spain. Meanwhile, our kids were playing outside and giving out cookies with Bible verses. It was such a special evening! And the conversation with our security guard happened just a few days later.

We did something similar at Christmas to share the hope of Jesus – we gave out cookies again, and we saw in the New Year singing songs of worship together and praying for our neighbours. Getting to know our neighbours here has been a real blessing, and we use opportunities God gives us on a daily basis to share the love of Jesus.

Street level

As well as connecting with our immediate neighbours, C loves street evangelism, just chatting to people and hearing what they think about God. Now we are closer to the capital, he sometimes goes into the city and spends time in a busy area of central Madrid. He aims to be really non-aggressive, so simply poses questions, and creates space for people to talk and share their opinions – and some share their deeper questions about faith.

Whole-family mission

Building connections isn’t just something we do as parents – our daughter has also been involved in running a children’s club at our local church. She shares, “Every Friday, we open the church for the children in the community to come and have a Bible lesson. We usually sing some praise songs, study a Bible story, play some games and have a snack. Many of the children don’t come from Christian homes, so this ministry is a great opportunity for the church to reach out with the gospel message.

As I met some of our neighbours, I was able to invite some of their kids to come to Kids’ Club. Although they come from a non-Christian background, they enjoyed the club and we get on really well with their family.”

This children’s club has helped the church to engage with families who are otherwise unconnected with church, and some have come along to services.

Spanish inspiration

As we visited our supporters in the UK this summer and spoke in churches, some of them were inspired to try something similar in their area – maybe you could, too?

Take part

How is God leading you to connect with your neighbours?

Or is God calling you to step into mission with CMS?

Find out more

*Names withheld due to some of their mission work being sensitive

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Ukraine: back to school amid ongoing attacks

Hundreds of people have been injured in recent attacks in Kyiv and there are reports that it feels as if Russian attacks have reached a new level. Pray for people to have access to water, food and electricity and gas, particularly as winter approaches. Pray for children and teachers who went back to school last week and are either holding classes in bomb shelters or dividing their time between face-to-face classes and online sessions. Despite the war going on all around them, pray for each school lesson to be productive and contribute to children’s social skills and long-term education. Please also pray for mission partner Alison Giblett, providing spiritual and material care to those in need through her church in Kyiv, as she applies for residency.

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Czech Republic: a new space for students to explore faith

In Brno, CMS partners Lea and Petra Williams lead the local Anglican congregation, supporting people to grow in their relationship with Jesus and encouraging others to begin a journey of faith. Lea supports evangelism work among students, including a new initiative starting this autumn called Café Theology, an evening of theology and philosophy in a pub. Pray for students to find a welcoming space where they can ask questions and explore faith.

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Ukraine: latest attack

The latest Russian strikes on Kyiv have killed at least 13 people and injured a further 40. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the deaths were a result of a shortage of air defence missiles. Pray for protection for the people of Ukraine, and ultimately for an end to the war. Pray also for Alison Giblett, who works with CMS in Kyiv, offering prayer, comfort and practical support to people who are suffering.

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UK: preparation for festivals

Two teams from the CMS office are preparing to represent the organisation at Greenbelt and Big Church Festival over the August bank holiday weekend. Pray for plans for transport and other practicalities to come together. If you are going to be at one of these festivals, please do come and say hello!

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UK: mission partners on leave

Many CMS mission partners are currently on UK leave, trying to fit in as many church visits as possible as well as spending time with family and friends, and trying to find some time to rest. Pray for opportunities to recharge amid the busyness and to be able to return to overseas locations feeling refreshed.

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Ukraine: missile and drone attack

Please continue to lift up the people of Ukraine, where the ongoing war with Russia has cost more lives this week. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said Russia launched more than 70 missiles and over 280 drones at Ukraine during the course of one night. Eight people died during this attack, and several homes and businesses sustained significant damage. Pray for comfort for the families of these latest fatalities, and for all those who are grieving loved ones who were taken far too soon. Pray with mission partner Alison Giblett, based in Kyiv, for people to turn to Jesus, and for an end to the war.

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Spain: family transitions

Miranda and Tim Heathcote support mission workers, especially those serving in difficult locations, through debriefing, spiritual direction, retreats and leadership development, both online and in person. For the past two years, they have divided their time between Oxfordshire and Place of Springs, their ministry house in Spain. Pray for them as they transition back to being at Place of Springs full time. Miranda and Tim ask for prayer for their younger daughter as she seeks accommodation and a more full-time job in Oxford by the end of August.

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