Mission: The IM board meets today and tomorrow (December 5-6). Ask God to grant wisdom and insight to these leaders. Pray He will be glorified in all that is done. Pray for safety as they return to their homes.
Mission Family: Greg McAllister, an IM board member from 2010-2016, passed away suddenly on November 30. Ask God to be with his wife Debbie, daughter Rachel, son John Mark, and the rest of the family as they celebrate Greg’s life and home-going today, December 5, at 11 a.m. in Barber Auditorium on the Randall University campus in Moore, Oklahoma.
Mission Family: Theo Lytle, three-month-old grandson of former missionaries to Panama Steve and Judy Lytle, stopped breathing on Monday, November 26. Doctors determined some veins are not growing at the same rate as others, causing pulmonary hypertension. This, combined with other health issues, contributed to the episode. Pray for continued wisdom as doctors seek to treat him with medication. He has another cardiologist appointment on Monday, December 10. Pray for strength and rest for David and Jackie, Theo’s parents.
India: Pastor Philip Das, injured in a motorcycle accident on November 4, was welcomed into his Savior’s arms on November 30. Buried December 1 in the church cemetery in Kishanganj, the 65-year-old was responsible for more than 40 churches. Ask God to comfort Philip’s family and the many Christians he shepherded. Ask God to lead qualified men, willing to invest in the Kingdom despite hardship and limited income, to join the aging pastors in India.
Bulgaria: The restrictive religious law being debated by the Bulgarian parliament is still under review. Even in its watered-down form it constitutes a major degradation of religious freedom. Continue to pray the bill will be thrown out.
Panama: Praise God for 39 years of ministry by the Free Will Baptist church in Parita, Panama. Thank Him for the faithfulness of Pastor Efrain González. Praise Him for the baptism of eight people on Sunday, December 2, as the church celebrated its 39th anniversary.
Brazil: Praise God for the work He is doing in Brazil! Pastor Paulo César baptized five people as the Nova America congregation in Campinas celebrated 15 years on Sunday, November 25. Pastor Jeancarlo Aché baptized nine people at the Jaboticabal church the same Sunday. Ask God to help each young Christian to grow strong in their faith. Pray for these pastors as they lead their churches.
Mission Family: Pray for former missionaries struggling with a variety of health problems: Sue Aycock (Brazil), Florine Coscia (Brazil), Cathy Crawford (France), Ledgel and Sharon Ferguson (Ivory Coast and France), Howard (Howdy) Filkins (Ivory Coast), Mirial Gainer (Japan), Joe Haas (France), Nancy Hughes (Brazil), Lloyd Plunkett (Côte d’Ivoire), Bessie Richards (Ivory Coast), Amy Robinson (Uruguay), and Don Robirds (Brazil, IM office).
Globally: Many people attend Christmas activities who otherwise avoid church-related events. Pray attendees will hear and accept the message of God’s magnificent gift of salvation wrapped in His Child. Ask God to give Christians wisdom as they plan and implement various activities.
December 6
Madrid, Spain: A group from the Alpedrete Church volunteer at the National Processing Center for Operation Christmas Child in Madrid
December 8
Tokyo, Japan: Good News Chapel hosts a charity concert
Aix-en-Provence, France: Shane and Joy host an English story hour for children ages four-to-eight (and their parents)
December 13
Tokyo, Japan: Iriso Church ladies’ English/Bible class Christmas luncheon
December 14
Madrid, Spain: Emily and Marc Edgmon participate in the Christmas concert at their school, Evangelical Christian Academy
December 15
Hokkaido, Japan: Joy Kids’ Christmas party at Miharashidai Chapel
December 16
Galapagar, Spain: Christmas program at the Villalba Church
Collado Mediano, Spain: Alpedrete Church presents “What is Christmas” in the nearby town of Collado Mediano; pray the 200-seat auditorium will be filled with people with receptive hearts
December 19
Guadarrama, Spain: The Alpedrete Church will sing Christmas carols at the nursing home in the town of Guadarrama
December 20
Collado Mediano, Spain: The Alpedrete Church will sing Christmas carols at the nursing home
December 21
Alpedrete, Spain: The Alpedrete Church will sing Christmas carols at the senior citizen’s day center in Alpedrete
Tokyo, Japan: Kamifukuoka Christ Church Friday Mommy and Me Class party
December 22
Collado Mediano, Spain: The Alpedrete Church will sing Christmas carols at a retirement home
Tokyo, Japan: Kamifukuoka Christ Church Saturday’s Mommy and Me class Christmas party
Hokkaido, Japan: Family Christmas party at Miharashidai Chapel
December 22
Odurne, Bulgaria: Jonathan and Amy’s Bible club kids present Christmas program for many people in the village
Tokyo, Japan: Kamifukuoka Christ Church family Christmas program
December 23
Pleven, Bulgaria: Christmas service for all those who’ve visited Bible studies and outreach events
Hokkaido, Japan: Christmas Eve service at Miharashidai Chapel
December 29
Radko, Bulgaria: Provows host Operation Christmas Child party
Marash, Bulgaria: Provows host Operation Christmas Child party
December 30
Salmanovo, Bulgaria: Provows host Operation Christmas Child party
Han Krum, Bulgaria: Provows host Operation Christmas Child party
December 31
Milanovo, Bulgaria: Provows host Operation Christmas Child party
January 4
Spain: Missionaries host a banquet for leaders in the Spanish churches
January 5
Kochovo, Bulgaria: Provows host Operation Christmas Child party