A Pretty Major Prayer Request

I'm not sure if you have paid attention to the things happening in the border towns of Mexico on the news or however you take in information from the world. But things are getting pretty bad down there. It's almost like water in a bag or balloon. The water was in the bottom but as you put pressure on the bottom of the bag it starts to go everywhere and get a little crazy.

Recently, we had to adjust our IMPACT trip a bit because of some of the unrest that is going on down in Mexico and the Juarez area. Some of our ministry partners are in that area and we really need to pray for them. Be on your knees for Fransisco and Rosa as they continue to do ministry in Mexico. Pray for all of the pastors that are down there still working to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It's going to be a difficult season for them down there and all the prayer we can give them is going to be awesome.

GC

@derryprenkert @agcbabycenter and Biz are going on an Adventure. Here's some stuff to pray about!

I totally appreciate this guy so much. He's awesome. He's going to Kenya with our IMPACT team over Spring Break. Check out his blog to stay up-to-date.

And then there's this guy. He is an all around warrior for Christ. Together these two are going to enter a crazy part of the world that not very many people would enter. You can pray for these two non-stop and it probably wouldn't hurt.

A Very Busy Time of the Year...

I'm soon going to be heading into a very busy season of the year with all of the things that God is putting in front of me. But tonight, I have two thoughts that really depict where God has led and prepared me for and what this season has potential to be.

1. This is exactly what I have been looking forward to.
That sounds so counterintuitive to what someone should ever want, but for a very long time in my life, I have desired to do things like the important people in the world do. I wanted to speak at huge conferences, lead huge events that change the world and impact the lives of thousands. With the stuff that I am going to be tackling, I am going to be doing all of those things. You will hear about some of these in the coming days and how you can beat pray for me and our team as we press on in these things. What I realize is that the things that I am going to be participating in may not seem like they are directly affecting the world, or speaking to huge crowds or impacting thousands, but everything that I am doing, I am just PART of something so much more significant that we will do all of the above. And sometimes it takes realizing what God has purposed for you to recognize the Good that he can do when we give him our little part.

2. To much is given, much is required.
I feel that in this season, I have been given a lot of responsibility to help make the wheels turn on a couple of things. Lots of responsibility. More than I have ever had before. Because of that, I remember an old addage that, I believe, John Wesley stood by: More activity, More Prayer. That isn't direct, but the idea is that there is absolutely NO WAY that I am going to accomplish all of these things or to the level of excellence that they need to attain, on my own or by my own strength. It will only be because of Christ in me and in those on the team that I work with that God will be glorified in all of this. That said, I plan to be on my knees for a good portion of my life in this next season.

Would you join me?

In the coming days, I will highlight one of the activities that I will be helping lead or coordinate or be a involved with. Would you join me in praying for our team and specifically, my involvement in them? This is a season that I may begin to see my role in ministry come to light and my ability to allow Christ to use me will be imperative. Join me in begging for His presence as we attempt to bring Him glory and fame.

Thanks for your support ahead of time! I can't wait to see what comes out of this season!

Be Praying for These People...

Yesterday, our team that is heading to Mexico on their GI trip left for the airport around 3:45pm. They will be there for a number days doing many different forms of ministry and service. Amongst the team is the Weiss family. Dan and Katie are small group leaders in our Senior High and have taken their kids, Hannah and David with them. I am very excited to see how this helps transform their family and bring them closer together as they pursue Christ through this. Totally stoked that their whole family is on this trip.

Also on this trip is two of our seniors, Brant Nine and Katie Lengacher. The story behind Brant going on this trip is pretty sweet as well. You can ask him more about that if you want, but just know that there is someone in our awesome church congregation that sees something in this guy that they want to see in their kids. Not to mention the fact that he is a very passionate follower of Christ and one of the more cool guys around.

Katie has a great story of how missions and the desire to take God's truth to all nations has impacted her life. Katie has such a servant's heart and it shows up in many different aspects. Whether it is here in our office as an assistant to Kristy and Megan or in Africa and Mexico and who knows where else. Not only that, but Katie has begun to see the importance of serving the people right next to here at Northwood. I am pumped to hear about the stories that come from her experience in Mexico.

I plead with you to pray for these people and the entire team as they begin their work in El Millon. May it be a time of planting seeds for the church in Mexico, but also a time of perspective change for this team. I can't wait to hear what stories come out of this trip and the ways that God showed up in this team and how He used them for His glory. May it be great growth and a time of coming closer to God as they minister to people in El Millon.

Praying for a Brother and Sister in Christ

Today, I found out that a colleague and mentor of mine lost a baby that was on the way. Here's what Jason posted on his blog:

Late yesterday afternoon Rachael and I went to the doctor after Rachael had some mild concerns that she wasn't sure she had felt the baby move recently. While going into appointment we weren't real concerned (we were going more out of precaution), our worst fears would soon be realized. After an ultrasound was performed, we were told that for unknown reasons our baby daughter (Aleigha Grace) had died in the womb. Obviously, we were & are devastated. Unfortunately, the hardest part is yet to come. Rachael will have to still go through labor. Tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. she is scheduled to be induced. Obviously, we would greatly value your prayers for today, tomorrow and the days to come. The promise the Lord has given me to hold onto during this difficult time for us is that "we do not mourn like those who have no hope." Praise the Lord!

I am praying for peace and understanding for Jason and Rachael in this time. May God qwell the humanly desire to ask, "Why?" May His providence reign true and may He show this family peace and grace.

Pray for the Thompsons.
Pray for Jason.
Pray for Rachael.
Pray for Haley.

Just Pray.

A Major Prayer Concern

So it has been a while since I have posted on here in a while, however, I have been alerted of a major prayer concern and issue. Perhaps you need to get more involved, maybe not... here it is!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!
Dear beloved sponsors and friends of Good News India

We have never seen anything like this.

We knew that Orissa was the most resistant and hostile State in  India as far as the Gospel is concerned. And we brushed off the continuous threats and harassment we faced as we went about His work.

But none of our staff imagined that they would see this kind of carnage....

And it seems to be totally under the radar of the  Western Media .... Let
me explain....

A militant Hindu priest and 4 of his attendants, who were zealously going around the villages of Orissa and "reconverting" people back to
Hinduism, were gunned down by unknown assailants in  Central Orissa  last weekend.

Immediately the Christians were blamed. The cry rose up..."Kill the Christians!"

And the horror began....

In the past 4 days, we have first hand witness to hundreds of churches
being blown up or burned and many, many dozens of Christian tribals have been slaughtered. For no other reason than they bear the name of Christ.

Night and day I have been in touch with our Good News  India Directors spread across 14 Dream Centers in Orissa... they are right in the middle
of all this chaos.

In Tihidi, just after the police came to offer protection, a group of 70 blood-thirsty militants came to kill our staff and destroy the home. They were not allowed to get in, but they did a lot of damage to our Dream Center  by throwing rocks and bricks and smashing our gate, etc. They have promised to come back and "finish the job." Our kids and staff
are locked inside and have stayed that way with doors and windows shut for the past 3 days. It has been a time of desperately calling on the Lord in prayer.
More police have come to offer protection.

In Kalahandi, the police and some local sympathizers got to our dream
center and gave our staff and kids about 3 minutes notice to vacate. No one had time to even grab a change of clothes or any personal belonging. As they fled, the blood thirsty mob came to kill everyone in the building. We
would have had a mass funeral there, but for His grace.

In Phulbani, the mob came looking for Christian homes and missions. The local Hindu people, our neighbors turned them away by saying that there
were no Christians in this area. So they left. We had favor. The same thing happened in Balasore.

All our dream centers are under lock down with the kids and staff huddled inside and police outside. The fanatics are circling outside waiting for a chance to kill.

Others were not so fortunate. In a nearby Catholic orphanage, the mob allowed the kids to leave and locked up a Priest and a computer teacher in
a house and burned them to death. Many believers have been killed and hacked into pieces and left on the road.... even women and children.
At another orphanage run by another organization, when this began, the Director and his wife jumped on their motorbike and simply fled, leaving
all the children and staff behind. Every one of our GNI directors that I have spoken to said: "We stay with our kids.... we live together or die
together, but we will never abandon what God has called us to do."

More than 5000 Christian families have had their homes burned or
destroyed. They have fled into the jungles and are living in great fear waiting for
the authorities to bring about peace. But so far, no peace is foreseen. This will continue for another 10 days.... supposedly the 14 day mourning
period for the slain Hindu priest. Many more Christians will die and their houses destroyed. Many more churches will be smashed down.

The Federal government is trying to restore order and perhaps things will calm down. We ask for your prayers. Only the Hand of God can calm this storm. None of us know the meaning of persecution. But now our kids and staff know what that means. So many of our kids coming from Hindu backgrounds are confused and totally bewildered at what is happening
around them. So many of their guardians have fled into the jungles and are unable to come and get them during these trying times.

Through all this, I am more determined than ever to continue with our
goal: the transformation of a community by transforming its children. Orissa
will be saved... that is our heart's cry. If we can take these thousands of throw-away children and help them to become disciples of Jesus, they will transform an entire region. It is a long term goal, but it is strategic thinking in terms of the Great Commission.

What can you do? First, please uphold all this in fervent prayer. Second, pass this e-mail on to as many friends as you can. We must get the word
out and increase our prayer base for this is spiritual warfare at its most
basic meaning. We are literally fighting the devil in order to live for His Kingdom.

The next 10 days are crucial. We pray for peace and calm to pervade across Orissa.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please pass it on and help us
to get as many people to partner with us on this cutting edge effort to
fulfill His mandate: Go and make disciples of all nations....

Prayer works!  Blessings, Chip

I pray that you can take 10 minutes out and just pray for Orissa! This is so important!


I'll post some stuff later...