Missions Update: October
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17)
This week, I found myself in a sudden quandary. A neighbor of mine of unknown faith was crumbling before me after finding his wife unresponsive in an upstairs apartment. Everything within me was screaming, “Pray!” and shouting, “Jesus!” Yet, after looking at my surroundings, I remained silent. My spirit was erupting, but the sight of my landlord and other neighbors sealed my lips as my mind asked the daunting question, “What would they say?” Then, a woman who knew my relationship with Christ asked me to pray with her. And there I sat, exposed as “the Christian.” What did it mean to be “that” in today's society?
It’s no secret that our society, over recent years, has morphed into a different creature. What was once a tamed house cat has now become a raging, uncaged tiger ready to attack on command. Speaking the name of Christ is a challenge within itself, but in current times, just speaking the name of righteousness can lead to immediate verbal persecution. Morality has a new definition, which is not exactly married to biblical standards. In fact, I would go as far as to say that biblical standards directly oppose current societal morality standards on several levels. We, brothers and sisters, have become the unpopular opinion. In light of this reality, we have a daily decision to make: hide and compromise and attempt to blend in the background or remain planted in Christ like a tree by streams of water and let the background change around us. The first option chooses fear and shame. The second option is faith. The society we currently live in doesn’t expect us to choose faith. Faith calls us to share Christ without considering the judgment of others. Faith rewrites in our own hearts what morality is and leads us to embrace those biblical standards like an adorned bride. Faith gives us the power to share the gospel in the darkest of situations with those most opposed to our Lord.
Missions Update
Winchburgh Community Church (Winchburgh, Scotland)
Robin Silson is the planting pastor at Winchburgh Community Church in Winchburgh, Scotland (a post-Christian nation), a small village about 45 minutes outside of Edinburgh. Robin has decided to reach out to the community of Winchburgh by handing out a spiritual survey to Winchburgh locals that will highlight community needs and spiritual barriers. The survey has provided an opportunity to meet locals and let others know about Winchburgh Community Church. Robin requests prayer for wisdom, open doors, receptive homeowners, and for the Lord to be made known in Winchburgh. Robin has also started a Sunday night gathering for Winchburgh Community Church on the first Sunday of the month. Please join them in praying for the persecuted church and that this meeting is a time of encouragement.
Elijah & Jessie Brooks
Elijah and Jessie Brooks are raising support to return to Scotland to co-plant a church in a village called Leven. They are currently at 84% in their support raising, with $1,858/month left to raise. Their support has risen over 13% in a span of 2 (ish) weeks! Praise God! Please continue to pray that the Brooks are able to reach 100% in support so that they can head back to Scotland by November! Jessie is pregnant with a baby boy, due January 20, who looks healthy. Please pray the pregnancy continues to go well. Their almost 2-year-old son is also doing well. Elijah is beginning his classes at Edinburgh Theological Seminary, and classes begin at 4 a.m. U.S. time! Praise is given that he is able to do these classes from such a distance, but pray he is able to focus at such an early time. The Brooks are asking for prayer in regard to their return to Scotland. The board is asking Elijah to remain under an experienced minister in Edinburgh at Cornerstone church before flying solo in Leven. Please pray for Godly wisdom for the Brooks in being told this information. Please pray for housing in Leven for the Brooks. Pray for the people of Leven that their hearts are open and ready to receive the gospel.
Redeeming Hope (Clarksville, TN)
Derek and Heidi Levendusky have planted a church in Clarksville, TN, called Redeeming Hope. Redeeming Hope is growing, currently increasing its attendance to over 75 people on Sundays! Praise God! A few weekends ago, the church baptized four teens, two of whom came from the church’s wrestling program (a passion of the Levendusky family)! Overall, they have seen spiritual growth in the church and now have three men in the eldership process! Derek and Heidi currently have several prayer requests, the first being financial support. They experienced a $1200/month drop in 2023. The prayer is that this support will be replaced. A blessing of $1000 was given to them from a family who knew nothing of their need. This blessing allowed them to feel God at work — amen! Please pray for a vehicle for the couple as well. For Redeeming Hope church, please pray that ten new families will be added to the church and for their wrestling program to continue to flourish. Also, pray for Derek’s blog/music site that’s in the process of being launched.
Scott Thomas
Scott is starting an organization called Church Planting Partners. This organization gathers church planters from all kinds of denominations and backgrounds into one common space to encourage each other, build each other up, and share resources and ideas. Scott is currently working with a pastor who lost his position. Pray that their conversations continue to be centered around humility, repentance, forgiveness, and hope. Please pray for the other church who, alongside Christ Church, have implemented new elders. Please pray for financial support for Scott who is currently facing an $8,000 deficit. Scott has also recently completed certification to be a biblical counselor! Praise God! Pray that he can continue to counsel pastors.
