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Lifting up the Movement of God's Mission
| Vol. 1; Num. 22
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Scripture for the Week
Click on the citation for the Scripture On Line.
Each Day Read
Psalm 108
Acts 12:1-25
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for missionaries and families,
thanksgivings,
for new missions,
for continuing missions,
for key events.
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Invocation
Almighty Father, send your Spirit into our hearts and guards our words that we would make the good confession before the world and to all people, in the name of Him Who is, Who was, and Who is to come; Jesus. Amen.
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Reflections
The church persecuted
The church has historically been used for the personal gain of leaders and politicians. Herod persecuted the church for political gain and popularity among the Jews. He saw that this pleased his constituency so he proceeded to increase the pressure. He killed James and arrested Peter.
The prayer support from the Body of Christ
In verse five we see the church earnestly praying for Peter who was about to be executed. Two guards were sleeping beside him which meant that his was a serious matter, Herod was taking no chances.
Missionaries and church planters today often face challenges beyond what regular church members experience. Satan works to disrupt and destroy families of missionaries and church planters be use he doesn't want them to be effective in their ministry. Any soldier knows that to fight on the front lines brings a much higher risk of being injured or killed. That is the place where the bullets are flying and the action is the heaviest. Missionaries and church planters are working on the front lines of the spiritual battle for souls. They need the prayer support and covering of the whole Body of believers. When the church prayed for Peter, God answered in a miraculous way. If you are a missionary and are not soliciting prayer support for your ministry, you are not only in danger of being left vulnerable to spiritual attacks, but you also deny the church the blessing of taking an active part in your ministry.
Peter was rescued from prison being led to freedom by an angel. Miraculously, the angel led him past the guards to the street, without anyone noticing them. I can't imagine what Peter must have been thinking. In fact, the text says that he thought he was dreaming. God takes care of His saints, even in persecution. Obviously, not every persecuted Christian is saved from harm, at least not in this world. We do, however, have the promise that He will never leave our side. The same Jesus that suffered for us is with us even as we suffer for Him. No matter what the severity of our situation, God is able to save us. This is a real comfort to our persecuted brothers and sisters around the globe who are suffering for the sake of Christ.
No Shame or Fear
Many times we fear testifying about our Lord Jesus, even though true persecution is not a reality we have ever known. Peter and the believers in Jerusalem were not afraid to share their faith, why should we be? Putting things in perspective, there is really nothing to fear. Imagine that one of the apostles would come back in our time and see how fearful we are of speaking up about the faith. Imagine their surprise when they found out that there is no real danger of being killed or imprisoned for our faith. Now that is something I would be ashamed of. Thank God for His grace and the chance to try again.
Thank God for His Holy Spirit whose power sets us free from fear. Paul wrote to Timothy "do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or of me his prisoner" 2 Timothy 1:8. What makes you close your mouth in certain situations when you should be witnessing about what Jesus has done to set us free? What gives you the courage to give a clear witness about Jesus our Savior.
Lord Jesus, You gave your life for me. There is nothing that I can do to repay You for grace and mercy I've received from You in my life. Thank you for the witness that the early church gave. I praise You for their testimony in spite of persecution and fear. I pray that I could have the same courage and fortitude to be bold in my faith and witness, no matter the consequences. Give me your protection even as I face attacks
Rev. Mark Junkans
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Missionaries and Families
Pastor George G. Masih, Pastor Brisco Sydney, Javed Almas and Alex Veerani (Alex is going to the Ismailee people, one sect of Islam).
Rev. Karim Baidaoui Dallas, POBLO Arabic Church of All Nations.
Chase Jacobs and Anthony as they work through Water's Edge at TheStationDenton (UNT Denton).
Vicar E.B. Holschuh, Holy Cross,
Arlington as he works to plant a Russian speaking congregation, Crossroads
Russian Speaking Outreach
Vicar Travis Hartjen and the launch
team of Water's Edge, Allen as they have begun regular Boot Camp training
for launch team members.
Rev. Paul Hoemann, College Station University Lutheran - A&M
Rev. Michael Meissner and the people of
LifeBridgeChurch (LifeBridge is a daughter church of St. John, Cypress.)
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Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving for Mission Liberty Hill, a mission plant of Zion,
Walburg as they had an enthusiastic launch on Sunday morning at their new location on May
23rd.
Vicar Kevin Rose, assigned to Faith, Sweetwater
Thanksgiving for more than twenty new missional workers in the San Antonio Area and for God's blessing on the first Missional Worker Training group in the area!
Thanksgiving for Rev. Jonathan Brandenburg's acceptance of the call from University Lutheran Church, Austin
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Intercession
New Missions
Grace Community Church LCMS has started a new mission society: "Hope for the LOST."
Grace Community Church, LCMS, Plano who have started "Hope for the LOST" mission society.
St. Paul, Plano and Mission Planter elect, Rev. Darren Anderson, Portland, Oregon has accepted the call to plant.
New mission groups investigating formation in Marble Falls and in the Spring Branch areas.
Redeemer, Austin as they strategize a new childcare outreach ministry.
St. Paul, McAllen as they look at the possibility of a new start in Mission, Texas under the leadership of Mr. Andrew Perry (preparing to apply for the SMP program).
The ongoing search for a Director for LINC San Antonio.
St. John, Cypress is seeking God's guidance in beginning their next mission, perhaps in the Fairfield area or ethnic ministry with LINC.
Area D and the Texas District as the new Area D MMF is being pursued.
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Pearland as they have begun worshiping at their new multi-site campus. Epiphany - West at Hightower High School, Missouri City
Mission Liberty Hill, a mission plant of Zion, Walburg s they start Sunday morning worship at a new location on May 23rd.
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Continuing Efforts
Area A m2c development and the Mission Summit planning.
Area B m2c development as 10 new church starts are in various stages of progress in 2010.
For the bold living in lifestyle stewardship for members and congregations across the district so mission can be funded.
That God would lift up workers throughout Texas
Hope Lutheran, as they continue to build upon current mission efforts and explore new mission opportunities in Lubbock.
Coleman, Texas youth ministry as they reach teenagers in their community for Christ.
POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach) Texas as Sabir Bashir is in training to lead a new mission, Arlington Asian Church of All Nations, later this year.
St. Paul, Ft. Worth/The Summit at Aledo, as a prayer team is currently involved in weekly prayer over their next Multi-Site Mission Location
Crown of Life, Colleyville, as they await the arrival of Vicar Steven Sandford, CTS, Ft. Wayne who will become their mission planter.
St. Peter in the Roanoke/Alliance area of North Fort Worth
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Key Events
God's blessing upon the planning and participants for the Area A Mission Summit to be held in August, 2010.
God's blessing on the Professional Church Workers' Conference, November 21-23, 2010, as registration begins and planning continues.
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Benediction
Be filled with God's Spirit this day and always that the peace which passes understand would keep your heart and mind in Christ, Amen. |
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m2c Prayer Partner Resource
This publication is made available for your encouragement in prayer ministry and prayer support for Mission 200 of the Texas District, LCMS. Reflections are authored by missionaries and leaders in the Texas District whose heart is to bring the Gospel to people who do not know Jesus Christ. 
If you have questions, comments, prayer requests for planting, or if you are looking for information concerning church planting in your community, you may email your Area Mission and Ministry Facilitator:
Steven Misch | Paul Krentz | Mike Newman | Area D
Mission 200 (M2C) is the
effort of Texas District Congregations to start 200 new Word and Sacrament
Ministries by 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
The Texas District prays that a mission movement can grow in Texas.
For more information and resources for mission planting in Texas go the m2c website by clicking here.
For information about Missional Work Training in the Texas District, click here.
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Mission 200 Texas District LCMS
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