May 2022
Big Picture of Missions - Part 1
Dr. Jim O'Neill
Big Picture of Missions
Sunday Nights At Saylorville
Operation World
Operation World is the definitive global prayer handbook that will help focus your heart and life towards God's passion for His glory. With over 1 million copies of past versions being sold, this all new 7th edition has been completely updated and revised by Jason Mandryk and covers the entire populated world.
Whether you are an intercessor praying behind the scenes for world change, a missionary reaping the benefits of intercession or simply curious about the world, Operation World will give you the information necessary to be a vital part in fulfilling God's passion for the nations.
Included in the updated and revised 7th edition:
All the countries of the world featured
Maps of each country
Geographic information
People groups within each country
Economic information
Political information
Religious make-up of each country
Daily Prayer Calendar
Answers to prayer
Challenges for prayer
Matthews - January 2011
Caroline’s Doctors Appt
We wanted to update you on Caroline’s doctor’s appt. with the pediatric cardiologist. If you remember last year, Caroline had been diagnosed with a development of tissue on one of the valves of her heart. It causes a slight leakage or murmur in her heart. The specialists at the time stated there was no concern at that time and we would need to come in for an evaluation each year. If there is any growth, she would need to have surgery.
Come to find out this condition only occurs in approx. 2% of people and usually needs surgery. Our cardiologist has had to operate on all of her patients that have this condition in the past.
It has been a year since Caroline was diagnosed with this condition. She has not had any ill effects since the diagnosis. She was a champion at the doctor this week. After looking at her heart, the cardiologist saw no growth in the tissue and did not see the need for surgery at this time. Caroline even said, “I like going to the doctor, ” as we left the office. What a trooper. We will need to go back for another evaluation in 12 months. Thanks for your prayers.
School
A big day for all on Monday, all of the kids start school at the Australian Christian College (Colleges are the schools prior to University in Australia) Yes, our school year starts in January, after summer in Australia. Quite an adjustment from homeschooling for Cathy and the kids. Please be praying they all adjust well to the transition.
Panel + Series
City Bible Forum is changing the format for the Forums for 2011. It is exciting changes, but not without its challenges. We would appreciate your prayers for it. Details about City Bible Forum at www.citybibleforum.org
Format: Each month the Forum would begin with a Talking Point issue. We would have a panel of 3-4 ‘experts’ on the various topics. Then from the panel, the following weeks would be a series answering many of the discussion points from a Biblical perspective.
eg: Imagine series: Panel discussion would utilise the lyrics from the John Lennon song and discuss the idea Imagine there was no religion, God, heaven or hell… Then Al Stewart would do a series for three weeks on the Biblical perspective of these implications based in the New Testament. Our panelists are Dr. John Dickson (biblical historian), Jane Caro (Writer/Athiest) & Dr Tanveer Ahmed (Writer /Clinical Psychiatrist/ Moderate Muslim).
Panel format: Three to four individuals would be willing to discuss their view on the topic. It is not a debate, but an interactive discussion with a moderator and the audience. We would have key people set in the audience who have a specific view on this topic to set in motion the conversation. We are following the model of SBS ‘INSIGHT’ for the format. Time: 1:10-1:50 (Wednesdays and Thursdays) First week of each month.
Panelists: We would like the panel to be a mix of differing view points. We have a mixed audience of approximately 200+ each week. The experts we are contacting are not desiring to recruit for their own cause, but willing to intellectually discuss their view with an audience and others in a panel atmosphere.
Panel and series topics: Imagine no religion, Crossing Over: Is there anything after this life?, Why do we do what we do? Analysing the Human Condition, 2012 and end times: A look at the book of Revelation and others. All will follow with a series based on a biblical perspective of the topic.
We would appreciate your prayers for this format change and that many non-Christians would come to hear the panel and the series.
Thanks for your support and prayers.
The adventure continues…
The Matthews Family
Voelker – November 2010
BAPTISM: Last Sunday we attended Igreja Baptista de Ramada to attend the baptism of one of our students. Most of our teaching staff were in attendance to witness this important step of obedience. It was a thrill to observe this student’s courage in taking a stand for Christ.
ELISABETH THOMAS: Please keep praying for one year old Elisabeth who is going through chemo therapy to shrink a cancerous tumor in her kidney. On Thanksgiving Day she will have surgery to remove the kidney. God is answering prayer and sustaining Elisabeth, her three older siblings and her parents.
UPCOMING CONFERENCE: We are asking for special prayer for our Association of Baptists for World Evangelism Western European Conference which is held every three years during Thanksgiving week. This year the conference is being held in Southern Portugal. It will be attended by 130 missionaries, national partners, and workers from around the region. Workers in this part of the world face constant resistance to the gospel. The purpose of the Conference is to refresh and encourage the workers through the provision of special worship, the ministry of the Word of God, and various training workshops. Several churches are sending teams to work with the children and teenagers, freeing their parents to attend the adult sessions. Pray that we and the other missionaries and national workers will be renewed in our love for God and return to our fields of service overflowing in faith, joy and zeal to serve Christ.
Thanksgiving is an American holiday. Portugal does not have anything equivalent to it. As in America, shopping malls are already decorated for Christmas and mobs of people are spending their recently received stipends. (Portuguese workers receive two extra months of pay a year, one in August and one in late November) December is one of the months when we observe the most materialism here as shopping carts are piled high and there are LONG lines to have items gift wrapped.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS: Our school will be presenting a Christmas program on December 10th. Please pray that some of our unbelieving parents will attend and be touched by God’s message.
Igreja Baptista de Loures plans to perform its Christmas program on three different days. The goal is to reach people outside our church family with the true message of Christmas. Cal and I will be a part of the music ensemble.
As we think about Thanksgiving and all the things we have to be thankful about, each of you comes to mind. We thank God for each of the churches and individuals who support us. We are also so very thankful for our families who sacrifice much as we spend holidays away from them year after year.
Yours for the Lord of the Harvest,
Cal and Joyce Voelker