Pray for those who are preparing to lead the Alliance National Children's Camp July 16 to 18. Pray that a good number of children will attend, that God will speak powerfully and that lives will be transformed.
Praise the Lord that the Mission and the National Church (NC) leadership enjoy an excellent relationship. This year John Schleh (FD) and Eduardo Marte (NC President) have made several trips together to Alliance churches around the country, encouraging the district presidents, pastors and church leadership. The northern district has especially strong leadership, and is experiencing numerical and spiritual growth. At a recent district joint church service, around 200 predominantly very poor laypersons made the financial commitment to give over $1,000 to repair two district churches. After everyone had given or committed to give, there was a time of praise for God's blessing that would come through faith and fervent prayer.
Praise the Lord that Jeff and Deborah Climie, and children AJ and Olivia arrived back safely in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, June 29. Pray for them as they begin the search for a home in Punta Cana, that something will be available that will be suitable for their family’s needs. Pray that they can get settled quickly, and feel at home in their new location. Pray for the many details of their move, and as they join colleagues Zac & Julie Stutler to plant a new church in Punta Cana.
Pray for the Alliance Bible Institute classes that began on June 14. Many of the young adults are seeking God’s will for full time Christian service. Pray for Gerson, Juan Carlos, Larry and Marinés. Pray for the six students (4 pastors and 2 pastor’s wives) studying for their Masters through FATELA (Facultad Teológica Latinoamericana - Latin American Online Masters Program). Pray as they began a new module of studies on counseling in July.
Pray with us for a new Guest House Operator couple starting this August [if you know of someone or feel called to serve in this capacity, please contact us]. Doug and Nancy Carlson have had over two great years of service and are now planning on returning to the States. Several short-term mission teams have unfortunately had to cancel due to financial difficulties. Pray that God will open doors and supply their needs in order that short-term teams will be able to continue serving the Lord.
Praise the Lord for His blessing in the Alliance Encounter Cell Church. Six people followed the Lord in baptism in June. Pray that God would bless them as they grow in the Lord and are obedient to His Word. Several indicated a desire to receive Christ, including a daughter of a friend of Dorothy Wood. Pray that they will grow in the Lord and have a desire to continue attending the church.
The Marriage Encounter follow-up cell that Bruce and Becky Dyke participate in has completed the first book of the series, How to Build Your Marriage. Praise the Lord the couples would like to continue meeting. Pray for Marcos and Carmen. God is speaking to this couple about spiritual things. Pray that they make a decision to accept the Lord.
Praise the Lord for the four new adult Bible classes in the Encuentro Cell Alliance Church and the nine people who made decisions to follow Christ last Sunday. Pray for them as they proceed with follow-up and discipleship classes. The classes start an hour earlier than the worship service which has been difficult for some of the students to form an earlier morning routine in their schedules. Pray that there will be people willing to teach, and pray for Val Stellrecht as she trains them to begin teaching in their Bible Academy [Sunday School].
The Misson and a college (US) affiliated with the C&MA are working together to begin a Study Abroad Program here in the DR in August 2010. Pray for John & Colleen Schleh and Brad & Dorothy Wood, as they work through the many details to make this a success.
Pray that the two weekly Bible Studies that the Stutlers have in the Punta Cana area would grow and that God will work in the lives of those who attend. Pray also that God would give the Stutlers creative ideas and divine appointments to continue reaching out to those that need the Lord.
Praise God for His touch, and pray for continued healing for Marcelino Cristians, eastern regional district president. He was in the hospital with pain in his neck and very weak. At 77 years old, he has ministered faithfully for many years. Pray that God would raise up younger leaders to help carry the tremendous responsibility upon him with the vision to take his place in the future.
Pray for our Dominican friends - who have been impacted by relationships made by our missionaries - that they will come to know the Lord as their personal Savior. Pray for Rudy, Fredrick, Marlene, Luisón, Kathy, Zeneida and Ana.
Praise the Lord for the 230 students now studying in the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) program. Three TEE training seminars were given recently in the three Alliance Districts. Pray for the new tutors that were trained, that they begin well, and that those who have been teaching will be encouraged and do a good job as they guide the students.
Pray for preparations for four weeks of training classes that will be held for cell group leaders at the Encounter Cell Church (July 31, August 7, 14 and 16).
Please pray for Pastor Onesimo and his wife Deyda. She is about to give birth to their first child, and he is in the process of having an operation on his eyes. Pray for God’s protection, healing and blessing on their lives.
Praise the Lord that the House of Blessing Alliance Church is taking a step of faith and has made an offer on a Baptist Church because they have outgrown their facilities and are moving. Pray that God would honor the member’s faith of House of Blessing and that all the monies will come in and the people will see the hand of God moving in their midst. The down payment is US$330,000.