With the recent rise in the number of Buddhist adherents in Korea, spiritual awakening among the churches is a great need. Pray that Korean churches and believers will catch a fresh vision to reach out to their Buddhist friends and neighbors with the Good News. Pray that they will be faithful and effective in sharing their faith and that many Buddhists will come to Christ.
Centrifuge 2009 is coming this June and about 160 teenagers are expected to board a plane or bus to head for a week of fun, adventure, and spiritual growth with kids their own age. Many are not yet believers. Pray for safe travel, for kids to grow and commit to God’s will for their lives, for souls to be saved, and for leaders to be anointed and equipped for this ministry. Ask God to do a new work and miracles in each participant from the youngest kid to the oldest adult.
The 500,000 blue-collar workers on the island of Jeju are ethnically Korean but possess their own distinct understanding of the spirit world, folk religion, social culture, and linguistic dialect. The farmers, fishermen and especially the haenyo women divers prefer to be left alone. Spiritually, Jeju remains a resistant stronghold. Shamanism mixed with cultural Buddhism holds at least 98% of the population in utter darkness. The exclusive call of Jesus Christ is seen as a complete betrayal of what it means to be from Jeju. Pray that the Spirit will burden believers with compassion to share the gospel with every islander in a way that removes their fear of losing either personal or cultural identity. Pray that rapidly reproducing churches can be started and sustained among these islanders. Pray that workers can victoriously face the spiritual battles encountered among the many strongholds. A person of peace is a critical need to reach the blue-collar workers of Jeju Island. Pray that a Jeju believer, who speaks the dialect fluently, will become burdened to return home and help reach his people for Christ. The IMB workers on the island ask you to pray for this partner to come quickly and to assist in conducting basic evangelism, discipleship and implementing a church planting movement strategy.
Sue met an elderly woman at the traditional farmer’s market on Jeju. Her heart is gradually opening to the witness of Christ. Sue gave the lady a ride home, met her sick husband, and gave him a Bible to read. Sue has also met four other ladies and one man at the market. Pray that each one will be saved.
Volunteers from a church in Memphis, Tennessee will be ministering in South Korea and a last frontier country in August and September. Pray for wisdom and discernment as plans are being made for strategies in reaching out to the lost in these areas. Ask God to prepare each volunteer for the opportunities to share the good news with hundreds of people. Pray that many will receive Christ. Ask that doors may open for future, on-going ministry after the team leaves.
Two IMB workers are mobilizing a key partner church in adopting an unreached people group in a closed country. Two Korean couples are already on the field in a third country preparing to enter their target country by this summer. Other personnel from the partnering church will soon follow them. Pray that this UPG team will be able to secure visas and find appropriate housing and schooling for their children as they begin to minister in this very restrictive nation. Pray that they will quickly establish meaningful contacts with their new people group.
Summer camp can be one of the most memorable experiences of a child’s life! Kentucky WMU has a variety of camping opportunities this summer. (Check out our camp page: www.kywmu.org/camp.) We not only seek to create memorable experiences for campers, but significant, life-changing experiences. Our camp goals are to lead campers to a closer relationship with Christ and teach them how they can spread Christ’s love throughout the world. In order to meet the goals, WE NEED CAMP STAFF! We’re looking for committed, young adult Christian females with a heart for missions. If you or someone you know feels called to serve God at Mission Adventure Camp, please contact our Camp Director, Stacy Nall for more information. Help make Mission Adventure Camp a significant, life-changing experience for a child.
These positions are currently available: Technology Leader, Lifeguard, Kitchen Coordinator, Crafts Leader and Nature Leader.
For more information about serving on our camp staff, contact Stacy Nall (Stacy.Nall@kybaptist.org or 866-489-3534).
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Thank you for praying last month for the team of medical personnel from Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital in Busan, Korea who ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of children and families in Bangladesh the end of February. Give thanks for safe travel and good health. Pray that this ministry trip will result in much spiritual fruit.
2. Melissa, a Filipina, is married to a Korean man. On an elevator in Seoul with her five-month old daughter, Melissa met a Baptist worker and another Filipina, Cecil, who is also married to a Korean man. Melissa’s face brightened when the two women spoke her dialect and shared how close they had lived to her home city in the Philippines. Information was shared with a desire for future contacts. Melissa is not a believer, but attends a church with her husband. Her mother-in-law lives with them and Melissa is limited in her Korean language. Both Filipinas share similar adjustments and struggles. It was a God-ordained moment of encouragement for both young mothers. Pray that these two women can become good friends and Melissa will become a believer as Cecil shares the Good News with her.
3. The Korean job market has been greatly affected with the global economy decline. International and Korean workers are being laid off. Those who keep a job often experience a decrease in wages. Tough decisions face many families and yet opportunities arise to discover what really matters in life. Pray for believers to demonstrate a life of faith and trust among their lost family members. Ask God to use the present trials and crisis to awaken Koreans to their spiritual need for a relationship with Christ.
4. During Spring break TCKs will be traveling home from boarding school, back to their former countries where they lived growing up and to countries where they are moving next. Pray that each TCK will make new, special memories and grow in faith to see how God is working in their lives according to His plans. Pray that they will finish this school year well and be diligent and responsible young people. Pray also that they can discern God’s will for their lives and be willing to follow it no matter what comes their way.
5. Three families will be going on stateside this summer. As they finish medicals, travel plans, and responsibilities on the field, ask God for good health, discernment, and wisdom. Pray for them as they speak and share what God is doing and make decisions about colleges. Pray for one family making a move to a new assignment that adjustments will go well.
6. On March 12 a group of leaders will meet to pray and brainstorm concerning plans for reaching the lost of Korea. What needs to be done to complete the task and what needs to be stopped or adjusted to be more effective in our efforts? Pray for minds and hearts to discern and know God’s plans.
7. Over 500 Korean students graduated from seminary last month. Ask God to provide the right place for each to serve and minister and to prepare them to be humble servants who can impact their communities with Christ’s love. A few of the students are committed to overseas mission work. Pray for their preparation and plans as they discern which people group and location to choose.
- Thank you for praying for the homeschoolers retreat held last month. Forty-six homeschooling families came together for standardized testing and specialized classes for parents and students. Give thanks for safe travel to the conference for the 19 US volunteers and 150 school-age children and teaching parents. Give praise for the encouragement and equipping each one received to be able to return home with joy and confidence to press on in the task of homeschooling.
March Birthday and Anniversary Calendar
18 David and Hannah W Anniversary
29 David W
