SUNDAY NIGHT - ASKEY Missionary Family

The Askey family is in the States visiting and sharing the exciting things that God is doing south of the border. Due to the recession and many circumstances, this last summer saw fewer churches visit the Children's Home and help with building and ministry projects. Now is the time to make up for that short fall in service and giving.

The Evening Worship will be devoted to missions and involve music, specials and the Philip and Rebecca Askey family, our missionaries to Mexico. God is doing amazing things in the Children's Home in Mexico. Come here Philip share and pray about giving to a special offering that will be taken for this family. First Baptist Church also has a Mission Fund for Mexico in which money is being received to build another dorm for the children. The goal is $50,000. See you Sunday Night @ 6:oopm in the Worship Auditorium.

FIRST TEAM goes to PARAGUAY

Please pray for our team as they leave Monday, September 14th to help with the Evangelistic Crusade in Paraguay. They will be staying in Ascunsion and working with Pastor Roberto de Lugo and his wife Nancy.

First meet Roberto and Nancy several years ago on Mission in Brazil. Since that time they have visited First and shared what God is doing in Paraguay. Pray for safety in travel and for God to do amazing things as our FIRST TEAM lifts JESUS up to the nations. Special thanks to Adult 5 for their love offering and the laptop. Thank you First Baptist Church for giving every week to our Mission Offering.

Take a moment and read the names to the left and lift up our Missionaries at home, in Mexico, Canada, Africa and S. America. They are on the front lines and our job is to hold the ropes through prayer, going and giving. What is God calling you to do today!!!

Monday Morning, August 10th


Pray for Bobby & Rosemary, Charlie & Carol, and Billy as they are in Canada serving the Lord and representing First Baptist Church of Decatur. They left early Sunday Morning and flew to Seattle. Picked up a car and crossed the border. Sunday Night they meet with the leadership at Westlynn Baptist Church and this morning will begin work on a shower for the facility and renovation of the fellowship hall. The ladies will be working with the Sports Camp and providing food for the Camp and Construction Workers. Let's lift up our missionaries as they serve the Lord. Pray for the boys and girls who will be in the VBS Sports Camp -- that many will be drawn to the Lord.

From the Ruhls - On Mission 2009

March 13, 2009


"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.'" John 14:6

Dear Friends,
Just when you think you have it right, someone sends an update, and the 2008 report has to be changed. So finally, for 2008 there were 624,525 people who indicated they had prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That brings the 1973-2008 total to 5,026,647. Praise the Lord!!! And we praise Him for what He has done so far in 2009.
We began January with 15 Americans going to Mbabane, Swaziland. One participant had to return home due to the death of his father, but the Lord used the others and the nationals from Zimbabwe and South Africa to record 3,693 people as having prayed to receive Christ.
As we moved into February, we had our annual staff retreat at Mt Lebanon Baptist Encampment in Cedar Hill, TX. The weather was great. The fellowship was heartwarming. Or was that food? No, the food was fulfilling. And the teaching by Dr. Bob Utley was beyond words. I don't have the words to properly describe it. I just enjoyed it so much.
After the retreat, it was time to get folks back out in the harvest fields again. We sent 11 people to Sierra Leone and 6 people to Southern Asia on the same day. Only one of the 11 was originating out of DFW as were two of the 6. So it was sort of an easy day at the airport.
Those that went to Sierra Leone worked in two different cities, Bo and Kenema. In a country still healing from a long civil war and where the majority of the people are Muslim, the participants found fathers allowing their children to hear about Jesus. The team recorded 4,996 people indicating they had prayed to ask Jesus into their hearts.

Praise the Lord!!!
Reyburn Ruhl

Vancouver News & Prayer

March 17, 2009

Ask and it will be given to you: seek and you will find: knock and the door will be opened to you: Luke 11:9


GANG ACTIVITY IN METRO VANCOUVER - "As police, we've always been told by media experts to never say or admit that there is a gang war," Vancouver police chief Jim Chu says "Well, let's get serious. There is a gang war and it's brutal." Since late January there have been 29 shootings (NOW 36) in the Vancouver region, 12 (NOW 13) of them deadly. There is a shooting reported almost every day. PRAY that God’s people will become light in Metro Vancouver and cry out in desperation of a mighty movement of God across the city. PRAY for safety of innocent children and families as many of these shootings take place in public places. ASK that God replace fear with hope and security that only comes from a relationship with Jesus. PRAY that God will raise up labourers for people associated with gangs.
ROCK SOLID SUMMER SPECTACULAR 6 – LOVIN” THE COAST Begin to PRAY for our young people be involved in a summer of worship and servant evangelism. Friday, July 3 there will be a rally with partners from Southwest Park Baptist Church in Texas inspiring young people with worship, drama and more. The following three weeks will be a time to love their community with servant evangelism and then on Friday July 24 a celebration rally with partners from First Baptist Church of Biloxi Mississippi. ASK that God will stir the hearts of leadership in our churches to spur their young people to be involved in this opportunity for corporate worship; fellowship with other young people and be involved in servant evangelism in their community. Conrad Au conradau@intergate.ca

PRAY for the prayerwalking team from North Carolina (March 25-28) under the leadership of Glenn Walker who will be walking in the community in Surrey among Hindu & Sikh’s; Simon Fraser University and University of BC. ASK that the Spirit will alert them to where He is working. PRAY that God will provide many divine encounters.

REGION 1 – VANCOUVER (Advocate Gary Loudermilk)

THE OPEN HOUSE (Pastor Kyle Martin) PRAY for their time of transition in the move to a new meeting place. THANK God for Pastor Kyle & Anna’s beautiful baby boy Jude Russell. PRAY that the community would be flexible and supportive of Kyle’s new role as a father. ASK for God’s wisdom as the church continues to look for ways to give away money, time and energy in their community. PRAY for God’s direction as they develop partnerships with other ministries. ASK God to bless many through their giving. PRAY that the group would continue to develop deeper relationships with each other and learn what it looks like to live out their mission of ‘walking in a Jesus direction’.(info@theopenhouse.ca)

CITYVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH (Pastor Craig O’Brien) Loving people some times has challenges. 20 brave adults and children were challenged with rain, wind, snow and cold on Sunday to “Love Main Street” The streets were cleaned and gifts with a Celtic prayer were given out in love and with smiles. Thank you for your prayers. PRAY for our next “Love Main Street event in May. ASK that the church be faithful as they take part in a 14 day “Watch & Pray” leading up to Easter. PRAY that God would encourage the church and show that He indeed answers prayer.. (craig@cityviewchurch.ca)

REGION 3 – UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE (Advocate Kelly Manire)

BAPTIST STUDENT MINISTRY NETWORK – Suzanne Perry sperry17@interchange.ubc.ca and Rich Carruthers rcarruth@interchange.ubc.ca (* The Baptist Student Ministry Network is comprised of the Born For More student club, UBC Baptist Chaplaincy, English Corner, and the Point@UBC church planting "seed.") THANK GOD for the many opportunities for significant spiritual conversations through Meal with Matthew, English Corner, and social events; God is raising up partners for the work among international students. Some of the Persian and Korean graduate students are showing a new openness to discuss spiritual things; the porn debate and lecture was a display of genuine Christian love; God spoke through Tony Campolo, addressing issues of seeking first His Kingdom. PRAISE GOD for the fresh things happening on campus; and for opportunities to love and serve people within their circles of influence. PRAY for the Iranian New Year celebration the next two weeks; game night this Friday; “Free Books & Study Bags” giveaway/end of term outreach; planning for Chaplains-sponsored outreach early in the fall. PRAY for students as they complete the semester finishing papers, projects, and writing exams. PRAY for God to continue to show the team how to take their current relationships with students to the next level. PRAY that God will resource the personnel and ministry activities at UBC. ASK Him specifically for a housing solution for everyone on the team. PRAY for God's guidance in a possible mission trip to the Middle East this summer.

THE POINT CHURCH, Simon Fraser University – Burnaby (Pastor Victor Thomas) PRAY that they finish the Spring semester well and see many of the students they have been walking with come to know Him. PRAY for the planning for the summer break, as they make a large effort to grow their morning family service. PRAISE Him for 3 baptisms and 1 salvation this past month. God is good!

PRAY for Awakening Expo Day 2009 March 28 at Blusson Hall/SFU. ASK that God’s people will come together to be inspired and equipped to get out into your community and make a difference. The church is hosting a prayer vigil on Good Friday April 10, 6 pm to Saturday April 11, 6 am (SFU – West Mall Complex). Local churches will unite for prayer to focus on the message of Easter to take root in the hearts of individuals and in the fabric of the city, nation and world; pray for children and families; for each other’s churches and to intercede for the needs in the city and the whole world. .. Contact the awakening office 604.980.4911 or email: Vancouver@fusioncanada.ca for more information on these two events.

REGION 9 – DELTA/SURREY

LAOTIAN BAPTIST CHURCH (Pastors Pheng Sundara & Tounkham Honsombath) PRAY for God’s will to be known as they seek affordable property to buy. ASK that members would be faithful to share the Gospel with the lost. PRAY for Pastor Sundara as he mentors Pastor Honsombath. PRAISE God that for the baptisms that will take place Easter Sunday. (psundara@telus.net)


His Student,
Glenna Heidt

March 2, 2009

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.”
(Psalm 27:7)

A city-wide renewal week-end with Dr. Henry, Richard and Tom Blackaby EXPERIENCING GOD TOGETHER – FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS March 6 & 7 in Richmond BC. PRAY that registration will increase. ASK that God prepare the hearts of His people to respond in obedience to the Holy Spirit. More information at www.vancouverfocus.ca

VANCOUVER/WHISTLER 2010 OLYMPIC/PARALYMPICS – PRAY for the Open Crowd Festivals working group (Tim Rowe and Heather Robertson) ASK for favor with Park Boards in Vancouver regarding the use of their parks. PRAY for favor with School Boards to be able to promote open crowd festivals in elementary schools. THANKSGIVING for the support and encouragement from Mt Pleasant Social Coordinating group as well as the relationships with shopping malls in Vancouver, North Van and Burnaby.

Continue to PRAY for our own Janet Campbell and Kevin Sigsby, More Than Gold Outreach Coordinators. ASK for local churches to use this opportunity to reach into their neighborhood as we also minister to the world. http://morethangold.ca/


REGION 1 – VANCOUVER (Advocate Gary Loudermilk)

VANCOUVER CHINESE BAPTIST CHURCH – Pastor Yee-Shing Wong PRAY for the Family Easter Celebration “He is Risen!” on April 3 – 7:30-9 pm. ASK that the community respond as they hear, see and participate in some exciting events at the church. If your church would like to attend please contact Ruth Tan for more information – ruthtan@vcbc.bc.ca 604-324-6314; ext. 229

REGION 9 – DELTA/SURREY

FIRST EAST INDIAN BAPTIST CHURCH (Pastor Vincent Paul) PRAY for Vincent as he awaits triple by-pass heart surgery scheduled for mid to late March. ASK for peace and grace for Vincent and his family and church. vincentpaul@telus.net

REGION 13 – MAPLE RIDGE/PITT MEADOWS (Advocate Ken May)

THE CONNECTION, Maple Ridge, BC (Pastor John Martens) PRAY for the church to grow to an attendance of 75 this year. ASK God to bring the right people from new families. PRAY that the finances would be stabilized. ASK God to raise up new partners. PRAY that local people would meet to give goals by the end of year. PRAISE God for the baptisms they are having. THANK Him that most of the people attending are pre-Christian. ASK for God’s wisdom and guidance for some people who are praying about coming to help out as long term volunteers. ASK God to send someone to help out with administration so Pastor John can focus on evangelism. PRAY that the movie would be edited quickly and with be good quality. ASK that it would be used to bring glory to God’s name. ASK that the Martens family would be able to rest and have good sleep at night. (martens@lightspeed.ca)

REGION 15 – VICTORIA (Advocate Keith Davies)

COP CARE – Chaplain Ben Yablonski - THANK YOU for your consistent prayer and financial support. ASK God to open doors of opportunity; that He will prepare people’s hearts; give wisdom and protection. THANK GOD for the encouragers that helps get this ministry crossing the thresholds into the Police & 911 communities. PRAY for Ben as he meets with officers; visits & rides with them. ASK for listening ears and appropriate sharing. ASK that he will demonstrate God’s Love in this world. copcare@gmail.com


PRAYERWALKERS – 2009:

1. MORE THAN GOLD - PRAYERWORKING GROUP for the Olympics is planning to prayerwalk every Olympic venue and other strategic locations in Vancouver and Whistler before 2010 Winter Olympics. March 14 – Richmond Oval. This is the location for the speed skating.

2. North Carolina Partnership - March 24-28, 2009 with Hands On Mission Inc Prayerfully consider joining this team. Contact Glen
Walker at homenc@carolina.rr.com to join or for more information.

3. Dr. Dan Crawford has scheduled a prayer journey in 2009 for Metro Vancouver. July 20-25 Prayerfully consider joining the team. Contact DCrawford@swbts.edu to enlist or for more information.

4. If you would like to bring a team to Vancouver at a time not listed please contact glenna@prayvancouver.ca


His Student, Glenna Heidt, Prayer Consultant
Canadian National Baptist Convention/Vancouver Focus, 131 E Kings Road, North Vancouver BC V7N 1H4. 604-904-8908 Prayerline: 604-984-PRAY Fax: 604-984-7739 gheidt@cnbc.ca glenna@prayvancouver.ca www.cnbc.ca www.prayvancouver.ca
"our God is able....and He will" Daniel 3:17

Will You Be ONE on MISSION 2009?

The Mission Committee is busy making plans for 2009 and our support of Missions. We were able to give $15,000 to Lottie Moon and love offerings to each of our partners in missions for Christmas. Now we must go and help them in the field.

Pray about Going to Vancouver in April or June or August or Fall 2009. There are needs to build a storage room, help build showers, renovate a family life center, fix meals, make visits, help with Bible School, host a marriage conference and deliver gifts to specific individuals and businesses to build a bridge of ministry. What is God calling you to do? Would you be willing to go and help The Connection in Maple Ridge, Westlynn Baptist Church on the North Shore or The Church on the Mountain in Whistler? Please pray and let the Mission Committee know if you are interested.

Pray about going to Mexico. There will be two trips in June. One will be Youth and Sponsors; the other will be Families/Adults. Cost is $350 for food and lodging at the Children's Home plus food on the way and cost for visas at border. Church will provide transportation costs. Will you be ONE to touch Mexico and help the Askeys.

Other Opportunities involve going on an IC trip with Reyburn or visiting Paraguay to help Roberto and Nancy or going to Kenya to support the Evans and Remichs. What is God calling you to do?

A Brochure is being prepared with more information! Please pray about going or giving!
Check more info at http://www.firstdecatur.us/ - Missions.

Your Mission Committee 2009

From Whistler -- The Chomlacks

CHURCHONTHEMOUNTAIN
WHISTLERPRAYERUPDATE

Howdy from Whistler. We hope that all is well in your parts of reality. We want to thank you for your on going encouragement and support with what God is doing in Whistler, which is always bigger than we know. Here are some "things to know" about life here. There has been many wonderful things but this email contains more of raw issues we are facing. It is more of a update to say, we NEED you to stand with us and as life is, it is not always rosy and it is usually where the Kingdom is at work.

DEATHS IN WHISTLER
if you could take some time to remember to pray for our community as we have seen more deaths this year than most. Ranging from tragic avalanche's to drug overdoses. We live in a small community so people are effected very fast. As a community of faith we have been given the privledge to show hope and love during these times. Pray that continues.

RELATIONSHIPS
Each year it never ceases to amazing me of the relational issue we face in this wee community. Both great successes and great pain. This season has been no surprise of challenges... lots of drama but loads of opportunity for the Lord to be who he is. Please keep us in prayer as walk alongside people.

HUNGER
Something that has been on my mind and heart for awhile and have noticed a lot of tension in our town and community is sort of bi-polar sort of hunger for walking with Jesus. Thus at times the life of a pilgrim but i would ask if you could pray for an increase in this area, the love for God and love for others.

OUR POSSE
Stace and i are doing well and kids are well. Lots of activity and seems like we can never get enough time. Life with 4 year old and 6 year old. Please pray for us protection, wisdom, time and rest. Money is a month to month thing for us and we have been so blown away with God's provision over the last months, he is faithful.
Thank you again and look forward to writing again.
Please fire back an email and let us know what is happening or phone us.

Chad Chomlack

Ruhl Family

January 14, 2009


"So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

Dear Friends,
If you will allow me, I need to give you an update of what the Lord did in 2008 & (1973-2008)
Number of churches receiving teams 1,919 (18,482)
Participants from USA 610 (16,716)
Participants from other countries 2,962 (36,279)
Total Participants 3,572 (52,995)
People Indicating they prayed to receive Christ
Projects 469,429 (3,375,336)
Operation Andrews--church members only 11,408 (1,507,623)
Total Decisions indicated for Christ 480,837 (4,882,959)
Is that not just a wonderful update to what I had reported earlier? All the reports had not yet been received when last I wrote, but they are here now. And we give Him all the glory and honor and praise.
The first project of 2009 goes out the door tomorrow, January 15th. We have 15 Americans headed to Mbabane, Swaziland. As the Lord leads you, pray for them and the people with whom they will be sharing the Good News.
Speaking of February, the tickets have been purchased for the Sierra Leone project and another project. Lord willing, I will purchase the tickets for the Nicaragua project on Friday.
All of those projects will take place after our Staff Retreat scheduled for the first week of February. Pray for us as we gather together to praise and worship together and learn to do our jobs better.
Up on the hill in Rhome, the Lord had Sherry and me working along the same lines at Christmas. Her gift to me was having our shower repaired so it would not fall through the floor of our home, and I was giving her new bath towels and rugs for the bathroom. My gift came the Monday before Christmas and had me working from home for two days so someone would be there while the men were working. Then there were the two days the next week while they finished. It was nice not having to drive to the office those days, but it is even nicer knowing that I won't be taking a shower in a basement that we don't have.
April and Jamee went to Rockin' C Ranch for New Year's Eve. Jamee drove them to Lindale. This was her first long distance trip without one of us adults in the car with her. A prayer request was sent out, and the Lord answered with their safe return home.

Sherry and I took April back to East Texas Baptist University in Marshall last Saturday so she could begin her classes on Monday. She finished the Fall 2008 semester still on the dean's list with honors with a 3.63 GPA for the semester and a 3.57 GPA overall. We are so proud of her.
Also, up on the hill in Rhome in the "driveway" sits the red and dead 1998 Kia Sephia with 240,180 miles. It died Thursday, December 11, 2008. Neither the air conditioner nor the heater worked. The emergency brake was broken. It was a ramblin' wreck, but now it's just a mess. So as the Lord allows you and leads you, please pray for a low mileage, fuel efficient, low priced, mid-size car that we might purchase. In advance and always, we thank you for your prayers and your love and support.
Well, I thought Miss Kitty had something to say, but it turned out to be a hairball. So, I guess I'll let you go for now and pray the Lord gives me the chance to write you in February about the Swaziland project and what He did there and at the staff retreat. And don't forget to let us know how we can pray for you. We love doing that because we love you.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His Light to shine upon you and give you His peace.
In His love, Reyburn