Monday, March 3, 2014

2014 Week of Prayer for North American Missions Day 1

"Hear then the parable of the sower. "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."  Matthew 13:18-23

Firmly Planted...Rooted in the Gospel
This week is the week of prayer for North American Missions and the theme this year is Firmly Planted, Rooted in the Gospel, based on the scripture above.  In this passage, Jesus tells the parable of the sower.  The sower spreads the seed intentionally and generously on many types of soils and gets many different results.  Christ wants us to partner in sowing the seeds and firmly planting the gospel across North America.  Missionaries are involved in this sowing of seed, planting churches dedicated to helping sow the seed and bearing the fruit.  This week is dedicated to praying for these missionaries, their ministry, and the churches they are connected to. 

Our church is very involved in the work God is doing throughout North America.  Not only do we give regularly to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, we are also involved directly in the lives of missionaries on the field

Last year we began working with Josh and Lisa Arrington. Josh and Lisa are both Texans, but several years ago were called by God to serve in Pitt Meadows, a few miles outside of Vancouver. They have been there for over three years and through many trials and many victories, have seen God do some incredible things.  Please pray for the Arringtons, their four children, and Church on the Rock in Pitt Meadows.  Pray that they will continue to see people come to Christ and that God would open doors in surrounding neighborhoods and communities to start new ministries and plant new churches.

Josh & Lisa Arrington
11984 190th Street
Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y1X4

We are also very excited that God is leading a couple from our own community and church to begin serving in Brooklyn, New York.  Though a long time Weatherford resident, Stephen Trainer has roots in New York and feels God calling him back there to serve the community and preach the good news of Jesus Christ. He and his wife Carrie are making plans to move their family up there next year. Please pray for the Trainers as they prepare and raise funds. Pray that God would be preparing the hearts of the people in the Coney Island neighborhood and that they would be ready to receive the Gospel.

Stephen & Carrie Trainer - Church Plant NYC
1504 Greenwood Cut Off Rd
Weatherford, TX 76088

Today in addition to the Arrington’s in Vancouver and the Trainers, also pray for:
Day 1: Scott and Karen Blanchard, Clinton Township, Michigan
Scott is a church planter and pastor of Lakepointe Church, near Detroit.

Scripture to Claim:
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9

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