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Lifting up the Movement of God's Mission
| Vol. 1; Num. 26
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Scripture for the Week
Click on the citation for the Scripture On Line.
Each Day Read
Psalm 117
Acts 14:19-28
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for missionaries and families,
thanksgivings,
for new missions,
for continuing missions,
for key events.
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Invocation
Father, as Your church moves forward, let it move forward in Truth and in Grace as we lift Your name high that Your word is exalted and not our own, for the adversary would distract us from that to which You have called every disciple. These things we pray through Your Spirit and in the name of Him who is, who was and who is to come: Jesus. Amen.
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Reflections
The Great Omission
There is not a typo in the title to this mission
thought. James, the author of the
epistle with that name, encourages us to pray for wisdom and
understanding. He makes that very
clear when he writes, "If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who
gives to tall generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never
doubting..." It is clear, if we
pray in faith, God will respond.
The text for this meditative thought is perhaps a part of
God's response to that request, even before we ask. A few nuggets of wisdom are lying around. One of them is the wisdom for caring
for the brothers and sisters in the church, the body of Christ, especially in
time of need. We note that Paul
was pummeled with rocks to almost death and dragged out of the city of Lystra
by those opposed to the Gospel. Rather than run and hide, the other believers "surrounded
him". They did not leave him
to die, but cared for him with prayer and loving kindness. They could have easily fled and
disowned him, but stood up for him in the midst of potential danger to
themselves. They could have been
as easily attacked by the stone throwers as Paul but were willing to risk that
for the sake of another.
The wisdom continues. Proclamation of the Good News continued in the city and then Paul and
other disciples traveled back to Antioch where the Christian movement began and
"strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue
in the faith." Paul and his
fellow disciples realized that they were not only to make disciples, but teach
them to obey everything that Jesus had commanded (Mt. 28:20) Their role and responsibility was to
"equip the saints" (Eph. 4:12-13) for every good work. The great omission in the church today
is often just this piece. We are
usually good at caring for others in the time of need, but in an age of
political correctness and no absolute truths, we are often remiss in knowing,
understanding and having God given and directed positions on matters of life
giving salvation. May we have the
courage and conviction of the early disciples to be not only followers of the
Christ, but equippers of others so that they may be equippers of others.
Rev. Dr. John Hirsch
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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. Ed Weber, RioMAC Mision Emanuel, Mercedes & Missional Worker Training & Port Isabel Ministry, Port Isabel
Worker Salome Aguero, Del Rio, Iglesia Luterana Rios de Agua Viva
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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