Friday, November 06, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ ALERT for Former IBSA Staff Member

Allen's prayer army, Thank you again for your faithful response to Allen and Jeannie Mashbern's great needs. They have repeatedly been lifted up because you have cried out to the Lord in their behalf. We are convinced the Lord has helped them all during this difficult time because of the fervent prayers and the gracious response of our Loving Savior.

Allen was put back in the Hospital late last week with very high fevor (106) due to three different forms of infection including staph infection. The fever has come back down but the foot is not healing. Most Dr's and surgeons have recommended amputation a few inches below the knee. His main surgeon is holding out for one more possible treatment. Much depends on insurance. It involves moving from Provena to Carle hospital. Only Carle in Urbana has the equipment needed (similar to the machines used for polio patients).

Allen has had serious bouts with these infection twice now. Dr's told them if he gets in one more time it could be fatal. Much is riding on the next couple of days. So please pray for wisdom and God's perfect plan for Allen. They need you to beseech the Lord. They love you for all you have done. May our Lord bless your many needs too.

Pastor Mike Wilder

P.S. Allen's Father in Tennessee has only two weeks to live. He is dying of Lukemia. Allen grieves because he cannot be with his dad. Nor will he be able to attend his funeral. Since Allen broke his foot, he has spent 67 days and counting in hospitals and care facilities.

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Wednesday, November 04, 2009

SBC @ Prayer ~ A Prayer List of 70 Leads to Transformation

Missionary Focus: Dave Storey

View, Download or Share

Dave Storey was grieved at the spiritual darkness in his hometown of Doaktown, New Brunswick. A pastor and a vocational evangelist, he first left the town of about 1,000 people in 1983. But in 2006 he returned – this time as a missionary church planter.

Storey started with a prayer list: 70 individuals who desperately needed Christ. Then he began to see transformation. In a town once unchurched, almost 20 percent are now at the church every Sunday. They've even started a church in a neighboring town; it just seemed natural, as new believers wanted to keep sharing their faith.

"We try to teach everyone right from the get-go that it is their responsibility to share the gospel, and a privilege," Storey says.

This video sends a powerful message of what can happen when an unchurched community discovers Jesus. It speaks to the importance of Southern Baptist missionaries willing to go to such places, and of believers willing to share the gift of Christ.

The story of Miramichi Valley Church also is featured in the Oct. 31 episode of On Mission Xtra, along with Storey's own guitar rendition of of 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Prayer Countdown ~ A Guide for the Congregation

Prayer Countdown

Preparing The Congregation for a Prayer Emphasis

by Rob Gallion
Ridgway FBC

Day 1 Psalm 145

Let your heart soak in the goodness of our God and King—and give Him praise

Day 2 Phil 2:5-11

Pray that your life will honor the One who is the “Name above all names”

Day 3 Matt 6:33

Pray for the hunger to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

Day 4 Heb 10:1-10

May your prayer be to say with Jesus: “I have come to do Your will, O God.”

Day 5 Ex 16:1-36

Ask in great faith for the Lord to supply all our needs, that His glory may be shown

Day 6 Matt 18:21-35

Pray for the grace to forgive others with the same mercy God has given you

Day 7 2 Tim 2:19-22

Pray that God will keep turning you away from sin, leading you to holiness

Day Nov 8 2 Sam 22

May those who have been delivered by the Lord sing His praise with joy

Day 9 Deut 32

Pray that all men would take these words of life to heart, and know the Lord

Day 10 Rom 10:14-17

Ask the King to send messengers of the Good News to those who need to hear

Day 11 John 17

Pray with Jesus for the unity of the Body of Christ as a witness to the world

Day 12 Luke 9:10-17

Give thanks today for God’s provision as you marvel that nothing is impossible

Day 13 Col 3:12-14

Ask the Lord to clothe His church in the image and love of Christ Jesus

Day 14 Ps 139:23-24

Allow God to search your heart thoroughly and direct you in His ways

Day 15 Rev 4

May our worship rise continually to the Lord who is worthy of glory

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Eph. 3:14-21

Monday, November 02, 2009

Interview: Compelled by Love to Pray & Caer & Share

Compelled by Love
To Pray and Care and Share

http://www.gbrea.org/clientimages/39977/2009meeting/phillipnation.jpg

Phil Miglioratti, IBSA Prayer Consultant, interviewed Philip Nation, co-author of Compelled By Love

Phil ~ While reading Compelled by Love, I discovered that you and Ed Stetzer are more than co-authors, you had been co-pastors. Do you two write and work well together because you are more similar or dissimilar?

Philip ~ Hey Phil. Let me first say thanks for this opportunity to interact with you and share my thoughts with your readers.

Ed and I have come to a mutual appreciation of one another but we are very dissimilar. He grew up in a nominally Catholic home in NYC. I grew up in an actively Christian home in Birmingham, Alabama. But we found teamwork in the ministry and writing came easy for us because of the balance and synergy which occurred.

Phil ~ Early in the book you write:

"Our prayer is that God will use Compelled by Love to help transform your thinking and actions ... We hope you will feel His compelling call to carry the gospel into your missions fields of family, neighborhoods, and communities."

It seems we are shifting our emphasis from only teaching mission theology to missional thinking. We remain committed to the biblical teachings on missions but we are also recognizing the critical need to transform our thinking . . .

Philip ~ It is not just a matter of our thinking - although it can often use some adjusting. The shift from Missiology being an academic matter to a church matter calls for a significant change in our perspective of the community in which we live. The danger we must guard against is that we move Missiology from the seminary to the ministerial ranks and feel it is enough. My call is for pastors to further equip those they lead with a missional perspective. In other words, ensure that believers look through the lens of eternity and mission in all of their relationships.

Phil ~ Your statement also reflects another shift of emphasis from an almost exclusive focus on witnessing to individuals to also recognizing the need to develop evangelistic strategies that reach both neighbors and neighborhoods.

Philip ~ When we look at the Scriptures, we see a call to care for the cities in which we live. It is a both/and rather than an either/or. We must witness to the individuals and be concerned for the subdivisions, communities, school zones, towns, suburbs, and cities in which we live.

Phil ~ Has the 21st century church in America ignored, forgotten, misunderstood or simply disobeyed the verse you use as the theme of the book: "For Christ's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14)?

Philip ~ I think it has simply gone unnoticed. That would be the case for most of 2 Corinthians - it is perhaps the most ignored letter from the apostle Paul. But in regards to the principle of being "compelled by love," I believe we have simply allowed love to be poorly defined in the modern age as sappy sentimentality and therefore has lost most of its biblical meaning, even in the church.

Phil ~ At first read, this statement: "Missional ministry is not about our abilities. It is about presenting God's presence to the people of our world." (page 101) sounds similar to what we have heard preached and taught for generations but comment on these subtle differences:

How does a "missional" perspective alter the way we plan and perform ministry?

Philip ~ The people of God have often used the cliché that we should "give our best to God" meaning wear our best, sing our best, and even program our best. The missional mentality recognizes that our "best" will consistently fall short of Spirit-led and empowered mission work. We need to move away from putting our best foot forward as if we having home field advantage in the U.S. is enough. Remember, we live on a mission field where only God's presence (His best, as it were) is what will transform lives.

How is "presenting God's presence" different than "presenting God's word" which might have been written a generation ago?

Philip ~ Perhaps there is a shade of difference here but certainly not two facets of God's work I want to separate. A generation ago, faithful preaching had an effect unseen today because the culture still held closer to a biblical worldview. In essence, people were closer to an understanding of concepts such as sin, salvation, and the gospel. On a mission field (like the U.S.A.), we need to both speak about and live out God's presence which indwells us.

Phil ~ Give us insight on what you mean by:

"Reconciling evangelism and disciple making"

Philip ~ A false dichotomy has been established that a church excels in either evangelism or discipleship (meaning deep Bible teaching/learning). We need to see them as two sides of the coin rather than two separate activities of the church. Healthy churches will see evangelistic believers growing deep in their faith and believers growing deep in the faith will be out evangelizing.

"Accompanying the message of the cross should be love for our neighbor"

Philip ~ Our love for neighbors should be driven by the message of the cross. If we love the gospel, then we will share it with a neighbor. If we love our neighbor, we will share the gospel.

"Contextualization is important"

Philip ~ When we send missionaries to Romania, we ask them to learn their language, dress as the locals, live in their culture, and eat their food. We ask them to contextualize their lives and ministry for the people to whom they are going. We need to do the same for the urbanites, suburbanites, white-collar, redneck, surfers, or whomever God calls us to live among.

"Kingdom citizens"

Philip ~ I love being an American. If I have to choose where to live in the world, I will choose our country every time. But, my citizenship here is temporary. Because of the teaching in 2 Corinthians 5, we must keep our perspective on being an ambassador in this world, not a resident. Residents grow comfortable with the world as it is. Kingdom citizens seek to bring the reign of our God to this place.

Phil ~ How does the love of Christ transform the way we:

Pray for those Christ died to save?

Philip ~ We will weep more for their lost state when we bow in prayer. We will set aside our grocery list of minor needs-or major needs-instead to pray on behalf of a friend's eternity.

Care for people and their problems?

Phlip ~ Christ's love in us will help us look beyond the messy nature of ministry. It will allow us to see beyond our self-imposed boundaries (race, economics, culture) to enter someone else's grief and portray Christ's character of redemption.

Share the message of salvation?

Philip ~ Love changes our evangelistic efforts from operating as a gun-slinger for church to a persuasive friend for Christ. Without love, we become self-consumed religious hacks looking for a good story to tell our church friends about how we made another pagan change their mind about God.

Phil ~ Philip, please write a prayer we can pray with you towards our own transformation that God can use to transform lives and families and communities ...

Philip ~ Father, You alone are God. We declare that there is not a rival or an equal to Your greatness and love for us.

We ask that You would lay the power of Your divine love upon our hearts. We want to see our neighborhoods, apartment complexes, businesses, and job sites as you see them. Help us to be conformed to image of Christ in both our inward character and in our outward ministry with the Gospel. God, we beg of You to allow us to see people with the passion of Christ. When we should, help us to weep over our city as Christ wept over Jerusalem. When we are able, aid us to celebrate as You do over the repentance of one lost soul and seek the salvation of all those within our reach.

We pray that the power of the Gospel will transform our lives, the people of our city, and the people of this world.

We pray for the glory of God to rule the whole earth.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Click here for more interviews

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The "From & To" of Missional Leadership

Missional Leadership

As I mentioned and shared details on Saturday, I'm doing a conference tomorrow in Chicago. Whenever I come to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, I do a one-day seminar for pastors as part of my class.

In this case, I will be focusing on "missional leadership." I recently taught on the subject in Oklahoma. Here is the video: Missional Leadership from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

You can get more information about this training at the One Day web page.

Here is the outline that I used in the video and I will be using tomorrow:

Missional Leadership

1) Reconsideration of Leadership
a) From superman to everyone
b) From church to kingdom
c) From me to we
d) From personal power to people empowerment

2) Rejection of Clergification
a) From three tiers to one mission
b) From "called to the ministry" to "called to ministry"
c) From "called to missions" to "sent on mission"
d) From exceptional to ordinary
e) From "priests" to a "priesthood of believers"

3) Renewed focus on mission
a) From "full service" to "simple mission"
b) From "pay, pray, and get out of the way" to "join God on His mission"
c) From decisionism to disciple making
d) From "mission statement" to "Jesus mission"
Luke 4
Luke 19:10

4) Realignment of priorities
a) God is a missionary God
b) I personally join Him on mission - modeling
c) I lead others to join Him on mission - leadership
d) I equip others - multiplication

I hope that is helpful. Be sure to watch the video to get the context.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Candles + Prayers Tore Down The Wall

WorldView: Candles and prayers

The Berlin Wall fell Nov. 9, 1989, without a shot fired.

Candles and prayers – offered up with incredible courage in peaceful public demonstrations by East German Christians and others – sparked the fire that eventually consumed the tyranny in their land

SBC @ Prayer ~ State Prayer Leaders Pray Over Winter Olympic City

===>Click headline to access slide show that includes photos of our prayer journey to strategic Winter Olympic venue sites as we pray for the city and meet to discern the mind of the Lord for our state ministries of prayer.

CARE ~ Beyond Typical Thanksgiving Handouts

Click headline to access Outreach @ Thanksgiving ... More than turkey and dressing

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Compelled by Love to Pray, Care & Share

Compelled by Love: A Journey to Missional Living - Member Book

Phil ~ Early in the book you write:

"Our prayer is that God will use Compelled by Love to help transform your thinking and actions ... We hope you will feel His compelling call to carry the gospel into your missions fields of family, neighborhoods, and communities."

It seems we are shifting our emphasis from only teaching mission theology to missional thinking. We remain committed to the biblical teachings on missions but we are also recognizing the critical need to transform our thinking . . .

Philip ~ It is not just a matter of our thinking – although it can often use some adjusting. The shift from Missiology being an academic matter to a church matter calls for a significant change in our perspective of the community in which we live. The danger we must guard against is that we move Missiology from the seminary to the ministerial ranks and feel it is enough. My call is for pastors to further equip those they lead with a missional perspective. In other words, ensure that believers look through the lens of eternity and mission in all of their relationships.

Phil ~ Your statement also reflects another shift of emphasis from an almost exclusive focus on witnessing to individuals to also recognizing the need to develop evangelistic strategies that reach both neighbors and neighborhoods.

Philip ~ When we look at the Scriptures, we see a call to care for the cities in which we live. It is a both/and rather than an either/or. We must witness to the individuals and be concerned for the subdivisions, communities, school zones, towns, suburbs, and cities in which we live.

Phil ~ Has the 21st century church in America ignored, forgotten, misunderstood or simply disobeyed the verse you use as the theme of the book: "For Christ's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14)?

Philip ~ I think it has simply gone unnoticed. That would be the case for most of 2Corinthians – it is perhaps the most ignored letter from the apostle Paul. But in regards to the principle of being “compelled by love,” I believe we have simply allowed love to be poorly defined in the modern age as sappy sentimentality and therefore has lost most of its biblical meaning, even in the church.

Phil ~ At first read, this statement: "Missional ministry is not about our abilities. It is about presenting God's presence to the people of our world." (page 101) sounds similar to what we have heard preached and taught for generations but comment on these subtle differences:

How does a "missional" perspective alter the way we plan and perform ministry?

Philip ~ The people of God have often used the cliché that we should “give our best to God” meaning wear our best, sing our best, and even program our best. The missional mentality recognizes that our “best” will consistently fall short of Spirit-led and empowered mission work. We need to move away from putting our best foot forward as if we having home field advantage in the U.S. is enough. Remember, we live on a mission field where only God’s presence (His best, as it were) is what will transform lives.

How is "presenting God's presence" different than "presenting God's word" which might have been written a generation ago?

Philip ~ Perhaps there is a shade of difference here but certainly not two facets of God’s work I want to separate. A generation ago, faithful preaching had an effect unseen today because the culture still held closer to a biblical worldview. In essence, people were closer to an understanding of concepts such as sin, salvation, and the gospel. On a mission field (like the U.S.A.), we need to both speak about and live out God’s presence which indwells us.

Phil ~ Give us insight on what you mean by:

"Reconciling evangelism and disciple making"

"Accompanying the message of the cross should be love for our neighbor"

Philip ~ Our love for neighbors should be driven by the message of the cross. If we love the gospel, then we will share it with a neighbor. If we love our neighbor, we will share the gospel.

"Contextualization is important"

"Kingdom citizens"

Phil ~ How does the love of Christ transform the way we:

Pray for those Christ died to save?

Philip ~ We will weep more for their lost state when we bow in prayer. We will set aside our grocery list of minor needs—or major needs—instead to pray on behalf of a friend’s eternity.

Care for people and their problems?

Philip ~ Christ’s love in us will help us look beyond the messy nature of ministry. It will allow us to see beyond our self-imposed boundaries (race, economics, culture) to enter someone else’s grief and portray Christ’s character of redemption.

Share the message of salvation?

Phil ~ Philip, please write a prayer we can pray with you towards our own transformation that God can use to transform lives and families and communities ...

Philip ~

Father,

You alone are God. We declare that there is not a rival or an equal to Your greatness and love for us.

We ask that You would lay the power of Your divine love upon our hearts. We want to see our neighborhoods, apartment complexes, businesses, and job sites as you see them. Help us to be conformed to image of Christ in both our inward character and in our outward ministry with the Gospel. God, we beg of You to allow us to see people with the passion of Christ. When we should, help us to weep over our city as Christ wept over Jerusalem. When we are able, aid us to celebrate as You do over the repentance of one lost soul and seek the salvation of all those within our reach.

We pray that the power of the Gospel will transform our lives, the people of our city, and the people of this world.

We pray for the glory of God to rule the whole earth.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

SBC @ Prayer ~ Have an impact beyond the four walls of your church

Continue to pray for the Great Commission Resurgence Taskforce (GCRT). Visitwww.pray4gcr.com for a list of members to pray for them by name. You may also sign up to be a prayer partner at www.pray4gcr.com.

Pray for Dr. Frank Page and his family as they transition to the Alpharetta area as he takes over leadership of the evangelization group at NAMB.

Continue to pray for Richard Harris as he serves as Interim President until a new President is selected for NAMB.

Be in prayer for the NAMB Presidential Search Committee. Also, intercede on the behalf of the IMB and SBC Executive Search Committees as they are seeking new leadership.

Praises and Prayer Requests

Pray for Thomas Bush, Prayer Director, and the rest of the Vision San Diego staff as Vision San Diego draws to a close in December. Thomas will continue his work as the association prayer coordinator. Continue to pray for revival in the land and God’s continual work in San Diego. Pray that partnerships that were developed through Vision San Diego would continue to grow. Praise God for the 50 churches that have been planted and all that has been accomplished through Vision San Diego.

Pray for the staff of Embrace Baltimore as they move on to new work and ministry opportunities when Embrace Baltimore draws to a close in December. Pray for pastors in the Baltimore area as they continue to reach out to their neighborhoods and communities. Pray for continued growth in new Baltimore churches. Praise God for the productive work accomplished through the outreach efforts in Baltimore. Praise God for the staff and all the hard work they poured into the mission of reaching Baltimore for Christ!

A new way to “stay in touch” – Your Church on Mission in North America,NAMB’s new weekly e-newsletter for pastors and church leaders. Pray that this newsletter will be useful to churches and their leadership. Pray for the writers and compilers as they produce each weekly issue. Check it out or Subscribe.

“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Ps. 103:1 (NIV)

New Resource Includes the Role of Prayer in Evangelism

36-page sample of new Evangelism Handbook

Pastor, at our church staff retreat Thursday and Friday we surfaced a general dissatisfaction with our own personal commitment to sharing the good news of Christ. Our church family needs clear direction and a clear personal example from each one of us as ministry leaders.

With this in mind, I'm very grateful to have my copy of the newEvangelism Handbook by Avin Reid. This 400-page manual is a thorough guide to the daily ministry of sharing Christ. Writer and professor Alvin Reid is particularly concerned about how the Western Church is practicing evangelism - its failure to reach the hardcore unchurched and its trend of losing young people faster than it can win them.

With all of that in mind, Reid organizes his research and experience in effective modern evangelism into four clear and actionable categories:

Biblical (with chapters on Jesus, Paul, and evangelism in Acts)
Spiritual (the work of the Spirit, the power of prayer and other disciplines)
Intentional (leadership, creativity, worship) and
Missional (church planting, reaching the unchurched)

Learn more about this book and access a 36-page excerpt including the table of contents, introduction, and chapters 1 and 2.

Let them see Jesus , Pastor!

Craig Webb, Editor, Pastors Today, LifeWay

Saturday, October 24, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer: Pray for YOUR Association as you Watch this Video

Click the headline above and invest 3:51 in praying for your association.

Give thanks for __________
Make a request on behalf of ___________
Pray for evangelism, church planting, community impact in your town or city . . .

IBSA Prayer Coordinator Leads Mini-Conference in Fox Valley

Prayer that Changes Churches and Impacts Communities

a one-day, mini-conference
facilitated by
IBSA Prayer Ministry Coordinator
Phil Miglioratti

http://saraperelman.myadventures.org/blogphotos/myadventures/saraperelman/img_6401.jpg

Prayer that Changes
Churches & Communities

How Prayer Can Transform Your Church and
Impact Your Community

This seminar will serve:

Pastors who are hungry for a fresh vision of how prayer can saturate the life of a congregation rather than get lost in an unused prayer room or an ineffective prayer chain

Prayer leaders who champion prayer but struggle to capture the hearts and minds of everyone in the congregation

Intercessors who want to pray in greater alignment with the activity of our Father, Son and Spirit as we engage them in prayer

Evangelistic ministries who recognize the tragedy of divorcing outreach and witness from praying for the lost.

The format will include:

Focused, biblically based presentations

Small group interaction

Several practices of praying

The focus will include:

...a look at what God is doing when we are praying

...how that revelation should influence and impact our prayers

...how praying "across" rather than "down" our prayer lists can radically change the intensity and joy of praying

...three essential components when praying for our communities and cities

...three simple focal points that engage even the most apathetic or uninvolved pray-ers

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Prayer that Changes Churches and Communities"

·Tuesday, November 17th
·10:00 am - 2:30 pm
·$25 registration includes lunch.

·Facilitated by Rev. Phil Miglioratti the Illinois Baptist State Association Prayer Coordinator and
Director National Pastor's Prayer Network.

·Register by November 10

847.695.513
info@light-life-ministries.org
www.lalm.org

Please register at Light and Life Ministries 9:00 am - 1:00 pm or 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Monday - Friday or mail registration fee (checks must be made out to Light & Life Ministries) to 560 Robertson Road, South Elgin, 60177 with your name, address, email, phone, class title and time of class you are attending. Checks must be received by class registration deadline.

Compass Regional Training Center is a Light and Life Ministry and is located at 270 E. Chicago Street, Eagle's Nest Building, Elgin, Illinois

Click here for a printed bookmark
prayer guide using this format.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Pastors ~ A Free Retreat to Hear God's Voice for Your Life & Ministry

Rekindling the Call

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on my hands.” 2Timothy1:6

Dear Pastor:

It announces itself without warning, like a low fuel indicator on a stretch of isolated highway. The vision for the church begins to fade. Keeping a church’s machinery running can evaporate the joy of your call, leaving some pastors running on empty. I would like to invite you to attend a pastoral retreat designed for you!

Many have attended this retreat in the past had comments of, “God spoke a fresh word to me” and “the retreat changed my life.”

You will have the opportunity to worship, pray and reflect on how God has uniquely crafted you. You will experience God’s affirmation, calling, and crafting afresh. The retreat is designed for you to connect with your call, and to bring clarity to the future call of God on your life.

The Retreat Goals are designed… …to encourage participates to build networks of mutual support and encouragement. …to discover how God has uniquely crafted you. …to have clarity for God’s purpose in your life.

Dates: Nov 20-21, 2009
Time: 6:00 pm on Friday through 2:00 pm on Saturday
Location: Chestnut Mountain Resort Center, Galena

Your spouse is welcome! While it is not necessary for your spouse to attend, she is encouraged to; however, we will not be providing child care. We will be staying in the motel at camp and eating meals in the Lake Sallateeska cafeteria. A map to Lake Sallateeska will be on line with the registration.

The Retreat’s Covenant:

I will attend all activities of the retreat. It is for this reason that we do not provide child care. We desire to have all engaged in the retreat and this is necessary for the goals of the retreat to be attained.

I will not come late or leave early. It is very important that you plan to arrive on time and stay for the entire retreat. All of the activities are designed to provide you with a unique experience with each activity building on the previous. If you miss the beginning, you will not be able to “catch up.” If you miss the last experience, you’ll miss the “grand finale.” Timing is important! If you are not sure that you can be at the retreat by 6:00 pm on Friday and stay until 2:00 pm on Saturday, then I would encourage you to wait until the next retreat to attend.

There will be no cost to you; it is provided to you through your Cooperative Program gifts and is a ministry of the Church Strengthening Team. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are planning to attend this retreat.

Pray for our retreat, the participants and the leaders.

Sincerely,

Sylvan Knobloch

Friday, October 16, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ Health Update on Allen Mashburn, former IBSA Staff Member

On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 Michael Wilder wrote:

Allen returned to Champaign last Friday and is in a rehab facility. He is so happy to be close to home. He started treatments this past Monday to strengthen his foot, leg, and body. As always his spirit is great. He continues to need our prayers due to the silver dollar sized spot on his foot where the skin graft is dying. There is still some concern by Dr's whether the foot can heal. Please pray that the Lord will heal his foot. Please pray that he will regain strength and be able to go home soon. We rejoice that his family can see him every day. We rejoice that Jeannie had her last Chemo treatment this week. Thank you all for your many prayers. Pastor Mike Wilder

SBC @ Prayer ~ Great Commission Resurgence Task Force

Dear Beloved Prayer Leader,

Please join Ronnie Floyd, chairman of the Great Commission

Resurgence Taskforce, in the urgent call to prayer for the

October 27^th meeting of the Taskforce.

Prayer Requested for GCRT Meeting

Thank you for your faithfulness,
Elaine Helms
Prayer and Spiritual Awakening Coordinator
North American Mission Board, SBC

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Pray for the Great Commission Resurgence

What is the Great Commission Resurgence?

On April 16, 2009, in a chapel service at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Danny Akin delivered a message entitled “Axioms of a Great Commission Resurgence.” It is important to note the address was not produced in a vacuum. The content of the sermon received input and affirmation from SBC leaders like Johnny Hunt, James Merritt, Al Mohler and Thom Rainer. It was something of a response to a ground swell of hopes and concerns being echoed throughout the churches of our Convention.

Building on the momentum generated by the message, the President of our Convention, Dr. Johnny Hunt, worked with Dr. Akin and others in drafting what became “The GCR Declaration.” There was an immediate and overwhelming response to Dr. Hunt’s call for a renewed focus on the Great Commission as embodied in theDeclaration. Persons were invited to sign on pledging their support to this movement. Today more than 4,350 Southern Baptists have signed the Declaration.

At the June 2009 annual meeting of our Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, moved that the Convention respond to the GCR Declaration and empower Dr. Hunt to appoint a task force to study our Convention and bring back recommendations at the 2010 Convention which will meet in Orlando, Florida. The motion was as follows:

Moved: That the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting June 23-24, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky, authorize the President of the Southern Baptist Convention to appoint A Great Commission Task Force charged to bring a report and any recommendations to the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Orlando, Florida, June 15-16, 2010, concerning how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission.

The response to the motion was amazing as 95% of the messengers said “yes.” The hall exploded in applause and a wonderful spirit of enthusiasm and unity flooded the Convention floor.

Responding to the wishes of the Convention, Dr. Hunt has appointed a 22-member Task Force that is chaired by Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Pastor of First Baptist Church Springdale and The Church at Pinnacle Hills, Arkansas. This Task Force is humbled and honored by the assignment it has received from Southern Baptists. The GCR Task Force deeply covets your prayers in the days ahead. It is the prayer of our convention that God will use the Task Force for His glory, the building up of our churches and Convention, and the good of the nations as we faithfully and passionately pursue the fulfilling of the Great Commission until the Lord Jesus returns.

Click here to view the GCR Declaration that received over 4,300 signatures prior to the 2009 SBC Annual Meeting»

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Associational Prayer Gathering

Three Rivers Baptist Association

2^nd Prayer Summit

Where: West view Baptist Church

~New Home of the TRBA Offices~

24551 West Black Road Shorewood, IL

When: Saturday, October 24^th

from 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Joining us will be Phil Miglioratti IBSA Prayer Ministries

"God is at work in Three Rivers and it is our responsibility to discern where and what he is doing so we can join him in that work. Praying Spirit-led, Scripture-fed prayers together is the best way I know to discern his work, discover his will for our response so we can display his glory. I hope many TRBA members will join us for the summit." Phil Miglioratti IBSA Prayer Ministries

This will be time of prayer and fellowship as we seek God in all of His glory.

Continental Breakfast will be served.

815`725`7361

office@3riversbaptist.org

If I can answer any questions, please feel free to email a reply to myself or the TRBA Office

Tami Rush

Prayer Coordinator

Three Rivers Baptist Association

24553 W. Black Road

Shorewood, IL 60404

815.725.7361

www.3RiversBaptist.org

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

GPS. Go! Pray! Share!

Baptisms culminate GPS evangelism pilot

Posted on Oct 6, 2009 | by Adam Miller CONYERS, Ga. (BP)--Maxine Harris had no idea cancer was forming in her body when, miles away, pastors in the Stone Mountain Baptist Association were meeting to talk about evangelism strategy.

The pastors wanted to reach out to communities within a five-mile radius of their churches in helping to pilot Southern Baptists’ new evangelism initiative, God's Plan for Sharing (GPS).

Harris' neighborhood was in the plans that the pastors formulated last February as one of four pilot efforts in conjunction with the North American Mission Board for the initial year’s emphasis, named GPS: Across North America.

Harris wasn't home the day members of Emmanuel Community Church came knocking at her home in Conyers, Ga., but she was intrigued by the materials left by the group -- a flier with information about the church and about how she could find hope in Christ. When she was diagnosed this year with cancer, hope was something she was having a hard time finding.

As part of their plan to reach the Stone Mountain area this spring, more than 50 churches joined the GPS effort, visiting neighborhoods like Harris' in communities stretching from Conyers to Decatur. The Georgia churches were part of the pilot effort also involving Baptist associations in Lubbock, Texas; Philadelphia, Pa.; and Riverside, Calif, in tilling the soil for GPS: Across North America, which is scheduled for launch in spring 2010. Forty-two Baptist state conventions have joined the initiative.

Scattering and planting seeds is a key component of biblical evangelism, and it bore fruit with Maxine Harris who was invited to church in the summer by one of the people who visited her house during the spring.

"I started chemo recently," Harris said, trying to talk as she wipes away tears. "With everything going on, I knew I needed something."

At church one Sunday, she realized what she needed was Jesus Christ in her life.

Dressed in a swimmer's cap and casual clothes, Harris was first in line when Emmanuel Community associate pastor Gary Favors joined more than 20 other pastors from the area on Sunday, Sept. 27, in a corporate baptism of 39 new believers in the parking lot of First Baptist Church in Conyers.

From elementary to middle age, new believers were baptized in two small pools as family and friends looked on, cameras flashed to capture the moment and smoke curled from a nearby barbecue tent.

"God's plan for sharing has been around for a long time; now we're just intentionally putting it into action through these cooperative efforts," said Sean Nix, pastor of Oxford Baptist Church in Oxford, Ga. "Over the course of this year we've seen more people come to Christ than in previous years combined. We've had 23 professions of faith over the past few months [at Oxford Baptist]."

"There's no way we would have come together without an initiative to unite us," said Jeff Myers, pastor of First Baptist Conyers. "For this work to reach our community we have to work together, and what GPS has done is it's given us a clearer vision and a Kingdom focus."

Sunday night's baptism was "an outgrowth of our GPS strategy," said Larry Cheek, associational director of missions for the Stone Mountain Baptist Association. "Before we left that night we had a tentative date for next spring's baptism. As an associational missionary, this has been the easiest thing I've ever done. I've not had to beg people. I've had more participation in GPS than anything we've ever done together."

Adam Miller is associate editor of On Mission magazine and social media consultant for the North American Mission Board.

Help! I'm a new Prayer Coordinator - Where do I start?

Here is my response to a new prayer coordinator . . .

One Overall Objective

Saturate the association and each congregation with a culture of prayer.

Two Personal Objectives

Become a prayer champion who models Spirit-led, Scripture-fed praying at every opportunity
Become a prayer champion who mentors other leaders into Spirit-led, Scripture-fed praying

Three Major Objectives

Permeate each church family with prayer by asking them to pray for their pastor, their church family and their neighbors & community
Integrate each congregational and associational ministry with prayer by asking each group to tithe time (60 minute meeting = 6 minutes of corporate praying) to pray for their pastor & leaders, their church family and their neighbors & community
Penetrate each community with a prayer presence (prayerwalking, prayer stations, prayer maps, etc)

Also, consider a yearly rhythm of prayer:

Daily - provide a daily prayer for the association to each church member
Weekly - challenge pastors to meet weekly with other pastors exclusively for prayer (NPPN.org
Monthly - challenge each congregation to hold upward (praise) and outward 9for the lost in our communities) prayer meeting (not a time to pray for the sick)
Quarterly - Offer association-wide prayer events for training (a workshop), celebrating (Thanksgiving, for example), confessing (solemn assembly) and petitioning (praying for many lost to find Christ at Easter, fr example)
Annually - invite pastors to a prayer summit (1-3 days oat a retreat center with a trained facilitator

... IBSA Prayer Ministries is here to help you by phone, email (phil@nppn.org), or in person for coaching, consulting or conferencing.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

SBC @ Prayer ~ Week of Prayer for International Missions

Week of Prayer for International Missions

2009 Week of Prayer, Nov. 29-Dec. 6.

False religions, political oppression, multiple languages, harsh living conditions and religious persecution are some of the barriers to sharing Christ with unreached people groups. Still, that doesn't override the Great Commission that Scripture gives to all who follow Him.

It is this challenge that compels Southern Baptists to go into difficult places and preach the Gospel.

Pray during Week of Prayer 2009 for these pockets of lostness:

DAY 1: Peoples of Northern India

DAY 2: Peoples of Ethiopia

DAY 3: Lezghi people of the Caucasuses

DAY 4: Berber people of North Africa

DAY 5: Vietnamese of Cambodia

DAY 6: Peoples of Iran

DAY 7: Lost cities of China

DAY 8: Peoples of the Canary Islands

EXTRA: Beulah Baptist Church - A church mobilized

Play Cards & Pray

Who’s Missing?

Praying for peoples of the hard places prayer card set

The eight people groups profiled in these puzzle cards are among more than 1.5 billion people missing Christ's invitation to spend eternity with Him. Use in your personal prayer time, Bible study or in conjunction with Week of Prayer, Nov. 29-Dec. 6.

Monday, September 28, 2009

SBC @ Prayer ~ Are We Praying Against Radical Islam or for Muslims to Find Christ?

Posted on Sep 28, 2009 | by Staff WASHINGTON (BP)--Thousands of Muslims gathered Sept. 25 on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol for prayer in what may have been the first such event of its kind at the site.

Although organizers announced on the "Islam on Capitol Hill" website their expectation of a gathering of 50,000, the attendance appeared to be no more than 7,000 to 8,000. The U.S. Capitol Police do not make crowd estimates, a spokeswoman told Baptist Press.

The event included recitations from the Qur'an, a sermon and the Friday prayer observed by Muslims. Those attending sat segregated by gender on the ground facing east toward the Capitol and Mecca, the scared site of Islam in Saudi Arabia.

During his sermon, Abdul Malik encouraged Muslims while trying to reassure Americans of their support for this country.

"I want the American people to know: We love you.... America, this is our country. We are with you," said Malik, a New York imam who plans to move soon to Washington to serve as chief executive officer of Islam on Capitol Hill.===>Click headline to access the entire article . . .

Friday, September 25, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ Update on Allen Mashburn, former IBSA Staff Member

On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 10:25 PM, Michael Wilder wrote:

Allen is scheduled to have his 2nd surgery. A plastic surgeon will do a skin graft to wrap his leg and cover the wounded area. We are continually amazed at God's goodness in answer to prayer. So we are praying in faith believing God can lead the surgeon successfully tomorrow.

It has been a very long ordeal but after tomorrow Allen will remain another 7 days at the Northwestern Medical Center and then moved back to Provena Hopital in Urbana for intensive therapy. It will be great for him and Jeannie to be back together again. One of our church members drove Jeannie up to see Allen on Wednesday. It was very encouraging for both of them to be together for a day. Jeannie complete another chemo treatment this week and has only 3 remaining. PTL! As Allen regularly says, "God is good all the time." He truly is a man of Faith. Thank you for sharing their struggles through prayer. They feel your prayers. And I am grateful that you are God's army carrying the Mashberns' burdens. May God show you special kindness and blessings on your families and ministries. Pastor Mike Wilder

Thursday, September 24, 2009

SBC @ Prayer ~ Women's prayer network announced, designed to equip, encourage

Women's prayer network announced
By Kelly Shrout

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--PrayerGates.com, an online social networking community to minister to women around the globe, has been launched by the B&H Publishing Group.

The name "PrayerGates" is drawn from the Acts 16:13 reference to the city gates where women of Macedonia gathered to pray.

"In biblical times the city gates were the gathering place of power," said Andrea Dennis of the B&H division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. "Today, we are calling women to gather virtually to unleash the power of prayer in their lives, church, community and world."

PrayerGates.com for 2009 will use Beth Moore's bestselling "Praying God's Word" to equip and encourage women. Weekly excerpts from the book will be posted on the site as discussion starters.

Personalized profiles, user-created prayer groups and multimedia resources also will be features of the online community. The site, which went online during the week of Sept. 20, will allow users to create prayer groups specifically for Beth Moore Bible studies and events and will provide a prayer community for individuals impacted by Beth Moore's ministry.

Users do not necessarily have to create groups based on Beth Moore resources or events, though Praying God's Word is the initial resource emphasis. The site also will feature other authors. PrayerGates.com each year will focus on a new resource related to prayer. The site also will provide custom commissioned worship music and videos focusing on prayer.

"PrayerGates is ministry-oriented," Dennis said. "We know that there are many women out there who are in need of prayer. There are women who also want to share how they have been impacted by Beth Moore's ministry. PrayerGates is a safe environment where women can post their prayer needs, anonymously if they choose, and know that there are godly women who care enough to pray."

The site has an intentional Kingdom focus, added Jennifer Lyell, B&H women's acquisition editor.

Church groups and individuals can create a specialized prayer circle for Bible studies, ministry events and mission trips.

"This community will have incredible implications for mission workers," said Lyell, noting that privacy settings will allow users to create password-protected prayer circles. "Individuals on long-term or short-term mission projects can post prayer requests, praise reports and updates on PrayerGates."

A live, up-to-date news feed of new prayer requests and praise reports also will appear on the front page of PrayerGates.com.

"Ultimately, we hope this global prayer initiative will be a place of refuge for many women and help them harness the power of prayer," Dennis said. "We also hope the evangelical message of PrayerGates.com will impact users who don't have a personal relationship with Christ."

To learn more, visit PrayerGates.com.

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Monday, September 21, 2009

Assess Your Congregation's Culture, then Hold a Fresh Encounter!

Pray for courage, then take these two strategic steps . . .

Read article and access complimentary 4-page PDF download

Fresh Encounter:
Experiencing God's Power for Spiritual Awakening by Henry and Richard Blackaby

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SBC @ Prayer ~ Morris Chapman calls for classes to pray for "one more soul"

Chapman urges prayer for 'one more soul'

Posted on Sep 21, 2009 | by Art Toalston NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Announcing "a prayer initiative to support the Great Commission Resurgence," Morris H. Chapman called Baptists to each pray for one person to be saved.

Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, issued the call to prayer during the opening session of the EC's Sept. 20-21 meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

Chapman also announced to EC members his plans to retire effective Sept. 30, 2010. (See BP Breaking News story above.)

In his call to prayer for his final year as EC president, Chapman stated:

"I ask all pastors and heads of Southern Baptist organizational life to call your people together. In a spirit of worship, ask all who will to pray for one person every day until that person is saved or one of you dies. Ask them to make their pledge by coming to the altar. While they are standing and/or kneeling, ask them if they will trust God to help them witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ and Him crucified until that person is saved, rejects the Gospel outright, or one of you dies. If and when the person is saved, encourage them to obey the Lord Jesus Christ by following Him in believer's baptism.

"If you will do this several times during the coming months, those who actively witness as members of your church or organization will multiple significantly. As a result, you may see hundreds, even thousands come to Christ. It's worth a try. This would be a Great Commission resurgence.

"My prayer is that we shall give our Lord Jesus Christ all the glory, Chapman said, closing by quoting Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."===>Click headline to access complete article . . .

Thursday, September 17, 2009

NAMB Prayer Connection

Continue to pray for Richard Harris, Acting Interim President, Tim Patterson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Trustees, the SLT (strategic leadership team), missionaries, and NAMB staff during this time of transition.

Intercede on behalf of the Great commission Resurgence Taskforce – pray for wisdom to discern God’s will as they continue to meet together. You may sign up to be a prayer partner atwww.pray4gcr.com.

Pray for:

Leadership Meeting on September 25.
Resources
Cleveland Hope Diego staff

Pray for:

San Diego City Fest Steering Team
Leadership Meeting - September 15
Vision and creativity for the ministry

Pray for:

The students who return to their college campuses to start new small groups on campus.
Luke – a student at Appalachian State who served on the Parachute Project. He is trying to engage the college’s Pagan Society. He led six of them to Christ and they have nominated him president of the society!
The small groups started during the summer; that leaders will rise up and keep them going.

PRAY that items for the Hospitality Bags and Care Kits will be received before the “packing party” in November. PRAY that the volunteers who are planning to participate will send in their applications by the November 1^stdeadline. Contact Kevin Sigsby or Janet Campbell for more information.www.morethangold.ca

SBC Prayer Leaders @ Brooklyn Tabernacle

The Right Way to Pray?

By ZEV CHAFETS

Published: September 16, 2009

The Brooklyn Tabernacle, a 3,500-seat evangelical prayer palace in downtown Brooklyn, was built in 1918 as one of the largest and grandest vaudeville houses in North America. It is still a hot ticket. Its youngish, racially diverse congregation packs the pews each week to praise God and bask in the sounds of a Grammy-winning 250-voice gospel choir. But the tabernacle is more than just a popular church. It is also a destination for evangelicals from all around the United States and beyond, laymen and ministers alike, who come as acolytes to study prayer.

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Andrew Rae

Andrew Rae

Readers' Comments

More people are turning toward do-it-yourself spirituality. How do you pray? Share your experiences.

“Prayer is like other activities,” the Rev. Daniel Henderson told me when we met at the tabernacle the week before Easter. He was visiting Brooklyn with a group of seminary students from Virginia. “You learn from people who are already good at it,” he went on. “The people who pray at the Brooklyn Tabernacle are committed. Praying with them is an education.”

Henderson is a peppy, unassuming man in his early 50s, aJerry Falwell-trained Baptist minister. After serving for many years as the spiritual leader of a megachurch in suburban Minneapolis, he left the pulpit and founded Strategic Renewal, a nonprofit organization that holds “prayer summits” and how-to-worship seminars around the country. (Henderson was also a contributor to the magazine Pray!, which recently went out of business.) “The fact is, most pastors never learn how to really pray,” he explained. “They get to the seminary, and people just assume they know how to pray. But that’s not true. Prayer is a lot more than reciting words. It requires mastering both theory and technique.”

In the afternoon, in a classroom of the tabernacle’s annex, Henderson delivered a workshop on technique to an audience of pastors and seminary students. “Some people think it is better and more meaningful to pray alone, but that’s false,” he told his students. “You improve by praying with others who can mentor you, people who are more expert than you.” According to Henderson, there are rules of effective praying: “Let God begin the conversation. Keep your prayers brief and clear. Repeat simple Scripture-based phrases. Pray standing up to fight torpor. And pray directly facing others, eye to eye, in a loud, clear voice.”

That evening Henderson took his students to the tabernacle for a practical demonstration. “Tuesday nights here are the biggest regular weekday praise services in America,” he told me. “Nationally famous. It’s always exciting to see something like this, especially in New York.” The chapel was nearly full when we arrived.===>Click headline for complete article . .

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IBSA @ Prayer: A Public Blessing

A FINAL BLESSING for a GRADUATION CEREMONY

Adapted for the Graduation Ceremony, May 29, 2009 the graduating class of Clinical Pastoral Education spring class Feb 2^nd, 2009 until May 29^th, 2009 by Chaplain Lee Gatzke (Temple Baptist Church, South Chicago Heights, IL)

What is a final blessing? ... the final blessing is commonly referred to as a Benediction.

A benediction is an authoritative announcement of divine blessing found thru out the Bible.
It represents a joyful, unifying call, to faith, based on the ensured divine principle – GOD -
A benediction is a short concise statement given thru out the Bible, in the form of a petition
It gives an assurance, a promise, based on a principle. It voices an image of comfort, from words of assurance.
The word benediction means to produce good thoughts. What makes good thoughts good - is because they are base on biblical truths, inspired by GOD.
Good is the unavoidable result of certainty and righteousness of truth,
The truth being GOD who is all internally GOOD.

THE BENEDICTION - Is found in, Numbers Chapter 6, verses 24 thru 26 (King James Version)

SO UNTIL WE CAN MEET AGAIN

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU

This means: May the kindnesses of God precede you, and walk beside you to comfort you?

THE LORD, MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU.

This means: May the wisdom of God be with you and walk above you to watch over you.

THE LORD LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE

This means: May the light of GOD follows you, and walk before you to show the way, forever and ever.

- AMEN -

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

In the Secret Place: A Pilgrimage through the Psalms

In the Secret Place

For years, International Mission Board president Jerry Rankin has begun each day by reading and meditating on a psalm. “The psalms reveal the nature and character of God,” he explains. “The graphic, picturesque language evokes images that stir our emotions and strengthen our confidence. To know that God is our rock, our shield, our fortress, and our strong tower all convey an understanding we need each day.”
In the Secret Place gathers devotions and prayers written by Rankin for each of the one-hundred-fifty chapters in the book of Psalms. Personal yet universal, they reflect an openhearted journey of faith and deepening love for God to which the reader will aspire.===>Click headline for more info . . .

Rock the Nations with Prayer

Wanna rock the nations with some powerful prayer?

At this very second, millions have not heard about the ultimate freedom in a life with Jesus Christ. Take the journey. No boundaries, no borders, no boxes. JUST PRAY. That’s what Prayerthreads is all about. Will you be the one to challenge your group to pray for the forgotten?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Update on Former IBSA Staffer Allen Mashburn

.

Phil, I have waited until I got the word on Allen's surgery before I updated this prayer request. He was scheduled for surgery on Monday, but the surgeons wanted more time to confer and decide. Now the surgery is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday). It is Allen's birthday today. Thank you. Pastor Mike Wilder

Friday 9/4

Yesterday Allen underwent a 2nd surgery to set the leg. His injury left the leg completely broken off above the ankle and protruding through the flesh. His ankle was only attached by flesh and some tissues. The leg has been reset but requires much more intensive surgery from a major hospital. This afternoon he will be transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago. The surgery will probably be early next week. Pray that it can be done Monday or Tuesday even though it is Labor Day on Monday. If not they will have to redo what they did surgically yesterday. He will be in Chicago for about a week if all goes well. Then he will be placed in a nursing home or brought home with with home care medical professionals. This will require six weeks or more of intensive treatment. He will need to lay on his back during that time with very limited mobility. Jeannie is required to be home to continue her chemo therapy.

I thank all of you on their behalf for praying. The biggest concern remains healing from surgical wounds due to his kidney failure and diabetes. If he cannot heal then there will be dire consequences. Ask the Lord to provide this healing.

Many blessings, Pastor Mike

Thursday, September 03, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ Urgent Prayer for Former IBSA Music Director

.
Urgent prayer request for former IBSA music director Allen Mashbern

Allen Mashbern served Illinois Baptists for 23 years. Health issues forced him from active ministry due to kidney failure. Since leaving IBSA, He and his wife have faced numerous health issues. Currently, He is awaiting a kidney transplant at Barnes Hospital St Louis. Complications have delayed the surgery. And this past Monday night he fell in his yard and fractured his leg. The leg can be repaired but the greater concern is the healing. His diabetes causes major healing problems and he may loose his leg if it does not heal quickly. Dr's cannot do the kidney transplant until he is completely healed.

Allen’s wife, Jeannie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had the breast removed and is now undergoing chemo therapy. Every week new medical problems strike one of them. Also Jeannie's mother is near death in a local nursing home. Prayer is urgently needed for these faithful servants. Please share this request in church services on Wednesday and Sunday.

Notes and cards can be sent to:

Allen & Jeannie Mashbern

601 Gladney Ct

Mahomet, IL 61853

Allen Mashbern

Provena Covenant Hospital

Room 626

1400 W. Park St, Urbana, IL 61801

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ Strategic Prayer Event @ Three Rivers

1^st Prayer Summit

"Unity"

Where: Westview Baptist Church

~New Home of the TRBA Offices~

24551 West Black Road Shorewood, IL

When: Saturday, September 12

from 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Join our First Prayer Summit –

This will be time of prayer and fellowship as we seek God in all of His glory.

Continental Breakfast will be provided.

815`725`7361

office@3riversbaptist.org

If I can answer any questions, please feel free to email a reply to myself or the TRBA Office

Tami Rush, Prayer Coordinator

Three Rivers Baptist Association, 24553 W. Black Road, Shorewood, IL 60404

815.725.7361

www.3RiversBaptist.org

Friday, August 28, 2009

Culture~Check: Mohler on "Are We a Nation of Hindus?"

|Banners

Are We a Nation of Hindus?

By R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Those who argue that all religions are essentially the same reveal the fact that they know little about these very different belief systems. The worldview of Christianity is, for example, radically different from the belief structure of Buddhism (some forms of which may actually claim to resist the very idea of beliefs).

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These differences in belief systems are apparent in Lisa Miller's recent article for Newsweek. As she explains, "A million-plus Hindus live in the United States, a fraction of the billion who live on Earth. But recent poll data show that conceptually, at least, we are slowly becoming more like Hindus and less like traditional Christians in the ways we think about God, our selves, each other, and eternity."

Many Christians will flinch when reading this. Does this mean that Hindu temples are appearing across the American landscape? Not hardly. What Miller describes is the transformation of the belief system in ways that resemble Hinduism. Her argument deserves a fair hearing.

She begins by quoting a Hindu writing, the Rig Veda: "Truth is One, but the sages speak of it by many names." The idea of one truth known by many names is not new. Indeed, it is central to polytheism and the syncretistic beliefs of several historic and current worldviews. Hinduism is radically polytheistic and syncretistic. According to Hindu belief, the many gods and goddesses of their veneration all represent one fundamental divine reality. The idea of a singular and exclusive truth is antithetical to classical Hinduism.

So what is Lisa Miller's point? She suggests that contemporary Americans, including many who consider themselves Christians, are abandoning the exclusive truth claims of Christianity for a form of theological pluralism or relativism.

"A Hindu believes there are many paths to God. Jesus is one way, the Qur'an is another, yoga practice is a third. None is better than any other; all are equal," she asserts. Christianity, on the other hand, has affirmed that Jesus Christ is the only Savior, and that the only way of salvation is through faith in Him.

"Americans are no longer buying it," she insists, and by this she means many American Christians. She cites a 2008 Pew Forum survey that indicated major slippage in terms of Christian conviction. According to the Pew Forum survey, 65 percent of Americans believe that "many religions can lead to eternal life." More tellingly, 37 percent of those identified as white evangelicals shared this belief.

Miller cites Stephen Prothero, a leading researcher on American religion, who defined this "divine-deli-cafeteria religion" as "very much in the spirit of Hinduism." As he added, "You're not picking and choosing from different religions, because they're all the same." This is not exactly like traditional Hinduism, of course, but it works in much the same way. As he explains, "It isn't about orthodoxy. It's about whatever works. If going to yoga works, great-and if going to Catholic mass works, great. And if going to Catholic mass plus the yoga plus the Buddhist retreat works, that's great, too."

There is every reason to believe that Lisa Miller and Stephen Prothero are correct in these assessments. Without doubt, Americans have been growing more and more accepting of plural and relative understandings of truth. A tragically large number of those who identify as Christians have been drinking from the same wells of thought.Continue >>

SBC @ Prayer ~ GCR Calls for Prayer

GCR task force calls for input, prayer

Posted on Aug 27, 2009 | by Mark Kelly

ROGERS, Ark. (BP)--Interest is "huge" in the Southern Baptist Convention's Great Commission Resurgence Task Force and the group wants grass-roots Southern Baptists to share their thoughts and mobilize their congregations to pray for the task force's work, its chairman said Aug. 27.

In an impromptu press conference following the task force's Aug. 26-27 meeting, Ronnie Floyd said he was very pleased with the Aug. 26 listening session that drew more than 400 pastors and lay leaders from the region around Rogers, Ark.

"That was a good, engaging discussion," Floyd said as he stood outside the task force meeting room in the Embassy Suites Hotel in Rogers. "The interest level was huge, and we already know that, out of the 400-plus people who were there yesterday, that over 270 of them committed to pray for the Great Commission resurgence, which brings us great pleasure.

"We're gathering information. We're listening. And we are trying to know enough in order to make the decisions that need to be made," Floyd added. "As of right now, we don't know enough but we're getting there."

The most important things Southern Baptists can do for the task force are to communicate with them and pray for them, Floyd said.

"The No. 1 thing the Southern Baptist Convention people can do for us is to send any idea they want to send -- share anything they want to share -- and more than anything in the world, they need to pray for us," Floyd said. "We plead with them for their prayers, [to] get their churches involved in prayer.

Floyd suggested churches use registration cards akin to those placed on tables at the luncheon as a way of getting members involved in the task force's work.

"The model you saw yesterday of registering people with a card and then us taking that and registering that in the website, if churches duplicated that, it would be huge," Floyd said. He pointed out that the card asked for specific commitments to pray for members of the task force, for him as chairman, for other Southern Baptist churches and for leaders of SBC entities.

"When was the last time 3,400 -- almost 3,500 people now, as of this morning late -- prayed every day for the leaders of our convention?" Floyd asked.

Floyd said he is encouraging task force members to hold their own listening sessions like the one held in Rogers as they travel. "The whole deal is, we're going to listen more than we talk," he said.

Three members of the task force – Daniel Akin, David Dockery and John Copeland -- were unable to attend this week's session, Floyd said. The group's next meeting will be Oct. 27 in Dallas, at a venue near an airport that has not yet been secured, Floyd said.
--30--
Mark Kelly is an assistant editor with Baptist Press. Audio from the luncheon is available online at www.pray4gcr.com/2009/08/gcr-luncheon-audio/.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ No More Cobwebs in the Prayer Room

Phil - - - I was talking with our DOM Bro Terry the other day about our Associational Prayer Seminar and told him Joppa Baptist has had a 9 AM Prayer Meeting on Sunday mornings every since I've been there [ 9 years ] ... it started off with 2...a Deacon and myself ...we have now grown to 12 who faithfully attend and a few weeks ago we had 16 to show up.

We divide people up into groups and go through the whole church ...every pew...every seat...every class room ...the pulpit ,the alter, the prayer list , all Sunday School teachers are prayed for...someone even goes outside and prays over the Church property.

Back in 2000 right after we were called to Joppa, the Lord laid it on my heart to write down what we were doing inside His Church and to record how much time we were spending on everything. I did this and found out that praying was last on the list. We were even spending more time eating [ Potlucks ] inside His Church then praying. The Lord even showed me some cob webs inside our prayer room. Then He took me to Luke 19:46 where Jesus tells us what kind of house we are to be.

Bro Phil ,we are now becoming a house of prayer. There are no more cob webs in our prayer room and we have seen God bless in many ways. One example ...Our worship attendance has gone from 40 to 200. There is no doubt in my mind that prayer is the key.

Bro David Wright

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ Pastors Prayer Group HIts the Streets

Franklin Association pastors walk the walk

By David Belcher in Illinois Baptist

Franklin Baptist Association Director of Missions Matt Frizzell (far left) leads the association's pastors in prayer prior to prayer walking the community of Ina, Ill.

INA, Ill. | Walk the walk and talk the talk is taken literally in Franklin Baptist Association.

Every Thursday morning, a group of association pastors and church members conduct a prayer walk though an association community.

An association delegation demonstrated how a prayer walk works recently when they congregated at Ina Missionary Baptist Church.

After prayer, they walked through the streets of Ina in pairs, praying for the southern Illinois village and its residents.

When seeing a community member on the streets, the pastors stopped walking and praying, told them what they were doing and asked if they had any needs in their life for which they wanted prayer for.

Walkers also had copies of a pamphlet outlining the plan of salvation for distribution to those they saw on the walk.

Matt Frizzell, Franklin Baptist Association director of missions, explained that for several years the ministers met each Wednesday morning at the association office in Benton for prayer.

However, he said, the group decided in April "to go beyond these walls" and begin praying for the communities they serve while walking through their communities. The meeting time was shifted to Thursday.

"We have had good success," Frizzell said. "God has blessed it. The Lord has done a lot of things that we can't see this side of heaven."

During one walk a man in Valier was led to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

"This is what it's all about, the Great Commission - go into all the world telling them about the Savior," Bert Mitchell, pastor of First Baptist Church of West City, said.

Most of those on the prayer walk are association pastors. However, Frizzell said the walk is not limited to pastors - anyone who is willing to walk through a community and pray is welcome.

Roland Fisher of Christopher is a layman who has been a regular on the walks.

"It's a way of reaching the lost," Fisher said.

The prayer walk has blessed an entire congregation. Frizzell said First Baptist Church of Sesser had a difficult time in calling a pastor. However, during a prayer walk some church members came to ask for prayer in finding the right man for their congregation. The next Sunday, they called their new pastor on a 76-0 vote.

"We should not be surprised when God answers prayer," Frizzell said.

Dale Burzynski, pastor of Ina Missionary Baptist Church, said the walk gives pastors "an opportunity to meet people they've never met before."

"I believe it pleases God," is why Ron Knox, pastor of Royalton First Baptist Church, said he participates in the walk. "God says you don't have because you don't ask and He tells us we are to pray without ceasing."

He said the prayer walkers are planting seeds and may never see the fruit of their prayers in this life. "We're obedient and God takes over."

"I enjoy the expectation that God is going to honor these prayers and souls are going to be saved," Jim Ebbs, a retired minster from Royalton, said.

Ebbs pointed out another benefit of the prayer walk is that it helps encourage those praying to be "in unity in the Holy Spirit. We need unity as much as we need souls to be saved. These churches have a real unity of purpose."

Monday, August 24, 2009

IMB on FB: Connect for Global Prayer Impact

The International Mission Board’s Web-based intercessory prayer resource “CompassionNet” is expanding into Facebook. From your Facebook account, simply enter CompassionNet in the search feature and give it a click. Once you’re there, sign up to be a “fan” and recommend it to your “friends.”

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Rock the River Rocks!

ROCK THE RIVER TOURS Final Praise & Prayer Report . . .

Young People today really do have an extraordinary desire for spiritual things!

God reminded us of that in a powerful way this summer as the Rock the River Tour moved up the Mississippi River taking the Good News of Jesus Christ to young people of all ages.

Sunday, August 18, was the RTRT Event culmination day in Minneapolis/St. Paul,

where 23,000 gathered at Harriett Island Park and 966 people made commitments to Christ.

For this fourth and final RTRT Event, Christian bands such as Flyleaf, Skillet, Hawk Nelson,

Red, Kirk Franklin performed once again and Franklin Graham presented the Good News.

We prayed together across our nation and around the world with the believers in the local Event cities

and we have seen God do a marvelous thing on behalf of the children and youth of our nation

through these RTRT outreaches.

Thank you for your faithful prayers, because He did answer them.

God blessed each Rock the River Tour outreach:

Baton Rouge, July 16 - 10,998 attendance - 270 commitments
St. Louis, August 2 – 65,000 attendance - 830 commitments
Quad Cities, August 8 – 13,800 attendance - 805 commitments
Minneapolis/St. Paul, August 16 – 23,000 - 966 commitments

Prayer Request:

Would you continue in prayer with us. . .

That every person who made a commitment would be discipled immediately so they can live effective lives for Christ,
That every young person would know their value in Christ and seek to live out His plan for their lives, growing in grace and knowledge of God,
That we would see and treat our children as true gifts from God, training them up in His ways, so they can live godly, successful lives with the heart and compassion of Jesus.
That a greater awareness of the urgency to meet the spiritual needs and hunger of our children and young people would prevail among us, the Body of Christ,
And, that we adults would make ourselves wholly available to God to be used of Him to make a difference for Christ in their lives, while there is still time.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20, 21

HE has fulfilled Ephesians 3:20, 21 before our eyes and through our prayers!

To God be all the glory!

Amen!

Blessings and appreciation for your prayers,

Wanda Bailey, Crusade Ministries and RTRT Prayer Coordinator

Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn.

St. Louis RTRT Office - 314.770.9807

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

IMB: Reaching thee Unreached with Prayer

Pray

Connect through PRAYERplus
PRAYERplus connects churches and groups with the untouched harvest. Your church or group can take the first step in reaching a people group that has no known access to the Gospel. Learn how to commit to long-term prayer for an unreached people group no one else is trying to reach and find downloadable resources to share with your church.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ 2009 Impact Offering

Praying for and Giving to Illinois Missions

Illinois is one of the largest mission fields in the U. S. More than 8 million people in our state do not profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s why Southern Baptists have nearly 100 missionaries in the state helping Illinois Baptist State Association churches reach them with the gospel.

Some Illinois missionaries are starting new churches. Some are ministering on college campuses, attempting to reach the 800,000 Illinois college students. Nearly a dozen Illinois missionaries are associational directors of missions, helping their churches work together to reach their local mission field.

Illinois missionaries also help strengthen 1,000 existing IBSA churches through Bible study, worship, evangelism and family worship, while others assist our churches in being involved in missions at home and around the world.

These missionaries are all supported by generous gifts to the Illinois Missions Offering. This Offering is similar to special offerings for national and international missions except every penny stays right here in Illinois.

Please use this prayer guide to pray for our Illinois missionaries and mission field and for the 1,000 Illinois Baptist churches cooperating together to reach our state with the gospel.

2009 Illinois Missions Offering Prayer Guide
Sunday ~Psalm 145:7 Give thanks for the 2008 Illinois Missions Offering that is helping start more than 45 new churches this year, reach 30 college campuses, and train more than 22,000 church members in evangelism, VBS, Bible study, worship and missions.

Monday ~ Colossians 4:3-4 Pray for nearly 100 missionaries serving in Illinois. Pray for their ministries to be effective, for open doors for the gospel, and for safe travel.

Tuesday ~ Ephesians 6:19 Pray that IBSA churches will be excited about sharing the gospel in their communities, and church members will witness to their family, friends and co-workers.

Wednesday ~ John 9:4 Pray for urgency for spiritual awakening across Illinois and that we will have a passion to share Christ with the lost.

Thursday ~ Romans 10:9-15 Pray for new churches to be started. Pray for God to call out church planters, including laypeople, to start them, and for existing churches to become involved.

Friday ~ Isaiah 58:6-9 Pray for ministries across our state which meet special needs such as disaster relief, English as a Second Language classes, hunger and jail ministries and others. Pray the lost will hear the Good News of Jesus through them.

Saturday ~ II Corinthians 8:20-21 Pray for the IBSA staff as they make and implement plans to help our churches reach Illinois, that they will be wise stewards of the resources Illinois Baptists entrust to them.

Sunday ~ II Corinthians 8:7 Pray that Illinois Baptists will give gladly to the Illinois Missions Offering and become personally involved in missions.

IBSA Prayer Ministries

Friday, November 06, 2009

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Missionary Focus: Dave Storey

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Monday, November 02, 2009

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Praises and Prayer Requests

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Monday, October 19, 2009

Friday, October 16, 2009

Thursday, October 15, 2009

What is the Great Commission Resurgence?

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Week of Prayer for International Missions

Monday, September 28, 2009

Friday, September 25, 2009

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Right Way to Pray?

Readers' Comments

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

Are We a Nation of Hindus?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Monday, August 24, 2009

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

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