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Lifting up the Movement of God's Mission
| Vol. 1; Num. 25
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Scripture for the Week
Click on the citation for the Scripture On Line.
Each Day Read
Psalm 63
Acts 13:51-14:18
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for missionaries and families,
thanksgivings,
for new missions,
for continuing missions,
for key events.
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Invocation
To a Divided People: Father, like Paul and
Barnabas we are called to share the Gospel with all people, some receptive to
your Word and some not. Through
your Spirit let us not become fearful, but rather be like the disciples in Acts
13 who "were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Reflections
Acts 13 is filled with striking contrasts. At Iconium Paul
and Barnabas spoke "so effectively that a great number of Jews
believed," And yet we find
that "the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned
their minds" against the apostles.
Paul and Barnabas continue to preach and the truth of their bold
proclamation is confirmed by miraculous signs and wonders. Yet the result is a divided city with
some plotting to murder Paul and Barnabas.
They move on to Lystra where they preach the good news of
salvation in Jesus alone, healing a lame man. While the result is that some, including the lame man have
faith, others try to incorporate Paul and Barnabas into the pantheon of heathen
Greek gods calling Barnabas Zeus and Paul, Hermes. Even this the apostles use as a teachable moment, telling
the crowds that they are not gods and pleading with them saying "We are
bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the
living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them."
As we faithfully witness to the truth today, we see a world
much like the one Paul and Barnabas encountered. We will find receptive hearts and minds that hear,
understand, embrace and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ. Along the way we will also meet those
who oppose Jesus or who simply misunderstand the message as many at
Lystra. In each instance we too
can like Paul and Barnabas be "filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit"
knowing that even in the most difficult of circumstances, God can and will use
us to carry His message.
When we look at 21st century people, we see
people not much different than those encountered by the apostles. We see divided people, some receptive
and some not. Yet each of them is
in desperate need of a Savior. It
is our task to faithfully witness in every niche of culture, language and
people group, trusting that God who blessed the bold message of Paul and
Barnabas will bless the message we share as well. One thing we do know...it won't happen if we stay neatly
tucked inside our church buildings. Paul and Barnabas went where the action was, regardless of the risks and
consequences. May we be so bold!
Paul Krentz, Area B MMF
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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. Steve Morfitt, Brownsville, RioMAC El Calvario Lutheran Church and Missional Worker Training
Rev. Gary Martin, Del Rio, Cristo El Salvador Lutheran Church
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. Michael Meissner and the people of
LifeBridgeChurch (LifeBridge is a daughter church of St. John, Cypress.)
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New Missions
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
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Continuing Efforts
God's blessing on the continuing education meetings of the Missional Worker effort.
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
Live in the promise of Christ's presence, as you make disciples of those you know and those you will come to know this day. 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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