HANDS HEADLINES – Page 4 – Ministry and Life Updates

CW’s Story

Posted on July 21, 2015July 14, 2015

Have you noticed someone like CW at your local coffee shop, grocery store or city park? She is very quiet. Perhaps if you attend a community college or have a family member who does, you will notice her there. Although she speaks with an accent, her English conversation skills are very good.

In the middle of cities all across America, you’ll find families who have moved to our nation from a vast array of countries. Some of them came here and quickly found a support network of other immigrants from their country. But many came alone and find it challenging to connect with Americans.

Meet CW. And praise the Lord for how CW met Jesus! It’s a privilege to work alongside Cru’s Inner City Ministry as they reach out to people like CW, who might just be another face of a foreigner that gets lost in the shuffle. The Lord is blessing their work.

Oh, and guess what happened after CW met Jesus? It’s amazing. You’ve got to watch this video:

Ministry

Simple Prayer – Starting the Day on Empty

Posted on July 14, 2015July 4, 2015

Emptying ourselves before the Lord is not a bad thing. When we begin the day as an empty vessel and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us, our direction, power and attitude towards the day completely belongs to God.

Display images to see one of our favorite photos of Dr. Bill Bright Bill Bright, founder of Cru, would begin each day with this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, today think with my mind, love with my heart, see with my eyes, listen with my ears, speak with my mouth, use my hands and my feet, for Your honor and glory. Today, fill me afresh with Your Spirit.”

Thanks to Rich Atkinson for this article he posted describing how a Cru staff member shared the prayer above with a university president and was encouraged by his response.

Ministry

Living in an Open Field

Posted on April 28, 2015April 27, 2015

Although communication has been limited from our partners in Nepal, yesterday my friend Adam (not his real name) wrote, “we are still staying in the open field…house is not safe to enter…please continue to pray for relief work as some people are not getting even a simple tent and have problems for food, drinking water, etc; thank you so much for your prayer!” Thank the Lord that He protected Adam from Saturday’s massive quake.

While studying at a university in Nepal, Adam came to know Jesus Christ. A friend he met there invited Adam to listen to the story of Jesus as he explained it from the Bible. Later Adam sought out a Bible of his own and, “while reading I found that ‘the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life,’ Romans 6:23. I saw my deep need for Jesus and received Him.”

Imagine how differently Adam is now responding to the trauma of near-death and seeing death, injury and broad devastation as one who spiritually crossed over from death to life through the infinite sacrifice poured out by God’s only Son. Followers of Jesus in his country are very much in the minority.

The only photo we have from Nepal is the one below provided by GAiN – the relief arm of Cru. They deliver aid and conduct medical missions trips around the world. You can follow their updates here. Please pray for the relief teams to touch every person seeking safety in the open fields like Adam.

Shannon and I will be praying all day today. This is one of two all-day global prayer initiatives held each year to connect with our staff worldwide.

Certainly we’d be glad to pray for you as well. Whether your need seems small or large and desperate, please let us know. Of course, we’ll reach out to the Lord on your behalf on any day you contact us – not just today. …No expiration date on this offer!

Ministry

Amazing Black Sheep Testimony

Posted on April 7, 2015April 6, 2015

After Shannon and I watched this video, we said “Wow!” and then “Praise the Lord.” This is a true story. God is at work. And throughout the last several months of updates we’ve received from our partners in the Middle East, this story is only the tip of the iceberg.

Do you know any black sheep or wayward sheep? Jesus is the Good Shepherd even for aggressive resistant black sheep.

When I had the opportunity to meet Kamal (speaking in the video) a few years ago, I remember thinking, “this has to be one of the happiest, light-hearted and most loving people I have ever met.” The love of the Good Shepherd was obvious then. But see how Kamal’s life was changed from a dark past:

(watch the video)