Mar 01

January 2021-Chris & Larena Johnston – Missionaries to Galway, Ireland

Greetings loved ones!

I begin the first newsletter of 2021 with a song in my head,

“I’m pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned.

Struck down but not destroyed.

I’m blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure.

And His joy’s gonna be my strength.

Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes in the morning.”

Are you feeling pressed, persecuted, or struck down? In my head I keep hearing “locked down,” but I supposed the concept is the same. It’s a feeling of confinement and restriction. This song is a reminder to us all that we’re not crushed. We’re never abandoned. We won’t be destroyed. The joy of the Lord is going to be your strength. Hold fast to that reminder, that although there’s sorrow in this season, His joy in right around the corner.

Here in Ireland we’re facing yet another full lockdown. Pastor Jamie explained it in an interesting way. He said the first lockdown was a punch to the gut. The second lockdown came when we were bent over and we got an uppercut to the chin that knocked us out. This third lockdown is like being kicked repeatedly while we’re down and out.

Frankly, I’m not sure how much more of it we can take. Mental health was already a huge issue in Ireland. These lockdowns have completely compounded the issue. Suicides are through the roof, and sadly due to the shame associated with taking your own life, many of these deaths are being recorded as Covid deaths! It’s gotten so bad that it’s actually at the point where I’m not sure which is more deadly, the virus itself, or the complete shutdown. Our heart breaks for this nation!

HOPE There is a message of hope within us and an understanding that this season we’re going into with lighthouse church will open doors to the platform from which we’re meant to share this message of hope on a larger scale. Lockdowns have slowed the process down a little, but we’re moving forward with our involvement on the Lighthouse team.

This month we traveled out to the East, where we were able to look at an apartment and have an orientation meeting with Pastor Jamie. It was a great meeting, where he explained his vision, expectations, and got to know us a little better as well. It was a meeting that was supposed to happen at a staff retreat this month, but that retreat has been postponed until this lock down ends.

NEW APARTMENT Oh and by the way we got that apartment we were looking at! We moved in yesterday. Praise God for answered prayers! We’re super excited because it’s a place that’s really close to Pastor Jamie and a few others we will be working closely with. Although we’ve felt so isolated and alone in this past season, it’s awesome to be able to enter into this new season surrounded by such an amazing group of friends.

21 DAY FAST We are currently finishing up the last week of our church-wide 21 day fast. This is where we sacrifice some sort of food, meal, or activity and spend more time in prayer and worship. We try to do a fast every year. Last year we didn’t because we were in the States, so when we started this year’s fast I was quickly reminded how the withdrawal symptoms can be pretty harsh.

It’s all worth it however, because we really believe strongholds will be brought down and clarity of vision will be increased as we draw closer to God and seek His will in our lives and our church. We end each week with a virtual prayer meeting on Zoom. There’s a guest speaker at each meeting and a few people from the team are asked to pray.

This past week I was given the honor of praying over the nations. During my prayer, God gave me a word to share that Ireland would become a land of Lighthouses. This was a vision of the churches that will be planted in the future, as well as a call to let our light shine, sharing the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ for all of Ireland and also to the nations.

ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING We are doing our annual budget meeting with the board members of Hope Ireland Missions this week, and it’s amazing to look back and see just how God has provided for our every need.

We had a few unforeseen things come up this past year. One major one was a baby boy! Every step of the way, God has continued to provide through the faithfulness of those He’s called to partner with us. Please keep all of our supporters in your prayers. Pray for each other because we’re all a part of this team together!

Please also pray for Lighthouse Church, for the building purchase, for the upcoming Easter plans (that we can meet in person), and for the church plants. Please pray for our family. This upcoming season of traveling back and forth will be the biggest challenge we’ve faced in a long time. Pray that we will have a perspective that it’s an adventure!

All our love! ~Chris, Larena, Anora, & Liam

Prayer Requests

We would be honored if you would pray with us concerning:

Please continue to pray for COVID to end and restrictions to lift so we can have church in person by Easter Sunday.

Please pray for the transition of living in two locations, for this season to glean and grow towards the future church plant.

Please pray for the building in Navan for Lighthouse church, the funds, and all the details to fall into place.

Please pray for our 2021 budget to be met via our February Fundraiser!

Please pray for all of our donors, for blessings, immense favour and answers to their prayers!

Support Information

If you would like to team up & contribute to this important mission, please make checks out to:

Hope Ireland Missions

229 W. Exchange St.

Crete, IL 60417

(Chris & Larena Johnston on the memo line)

ONLINE GIVING

Simply go to:www.hopeirelandmissions.com & click on “partner.”

Feb 22

Tuesday Encouragement: Commit!

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We hope this video brought you encouragement. Please consider tapping the thumbs-up button on YouTube, and sharing it with your friends! Thanks for listening. We’ll be talking to you again soon in next week’s Tuesday Encouragement!

Feb 16

Go into all the world…. EXCEPT: Encouragement from Cheryl Coulter

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Feb 09

Steadfastness! Encouragement from Bishop Coulter

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Feb 03

From Kevin Rosendahl-A Productive January

GRACE CHRISTIAN OUTREACH MINISTRIES

205 Wildwood Avenue

Madison, MN 56256

Dear Friends,

God bless you! This month has been an interesting month for GCOM! The second week in January, Marty Busby, my right-hand man when ministering in Mexico, flew from Tampa, Florida to Austin, Texas where I picked him up and we traveled to Central Mexico to do family outreaches and to scout out ministry sites for a group from Minnesota that is looking to come down in March.

Zona Huasteca

We did several outreaches in the Zona Huasteca, an indigenous area twelve hours into Mexico near the city of Tamazunchale. We had one hundred and fifty people attend these outreaches and thirty-five people prayed to put their trust in Christ! Marty led the kids in a game and trained some of the kids in a Gospel drama which they did in front of the crowd during the program. After the Gospel message and invitation, each child received a nice blessing bag and we asked Bible questions to give away bags of rice and beans, quilts, blankets, pillows and housewares to the adults at the outreach.

MOUNTAIN VILLAGES

Through our time in the Zona Huasteca, we encountered seventeen mountain villages where we could do outreaches in the future. Some of them already have a little church started. In four of the villaages we will start a church in the future as there are pastors waiting to pastor these churches.

SAN LUIS POTASI

From the Zona Huasteca we traveled through the mountains to the capital city of San Luis Potosi. Then we went into two remote villages to minister. We were told that one of the villages had no Christians in the village. We arrived to the outreach site two to three hours late due to different obstacles but when they saw that we had arrived they followed us to the outreach site. At this event we were blessed to minister to over 130 people and more than 40 people prayed to give their lives to Christ.

Our last outreach was in another village twenty minutes away and we arrived when it was already dark and cold and we did not know if any families would come. Thankfully, twenty-five people came to the outreach and of these twenty-five people, seventeen people, from young to old, prayed to give their lives to Christ.

PRAYER

It was a precious outreach! On these outreaches Marty and I were led to ask the people who we encountered to write down any prayer requests they may have. Our desire is to get churches of prayer and people of prayer to intercede for these petitions.

If you or your church have a desire to be a part of praying for these prayer needs, please contact us and we will send the prayer needs to you or to your church. “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16b)

In this area near San Luis Potosi we encountered over twenty villages where there is either only a small recently started church or no church at all. As you can see, we can minister in these areas for quite some time sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, starting churches and training pastors to pastor the newly started churches!

Back to Nuevo Laredo

When Marty and I got back to Nuevo Laredo we closed off a plumbing pipe that was cracked and then began working on repairing one of the ministry vans. Marty was partially finished with changing out the power steering pump and the tie rods.

Our plan was to finish the repairs the next day but early the next day at 3 A.M. I woke up having a hard time breathing. It was bad enough that we postponed the car repairs and headed up to Austin for me to be near my family and to get checked by the doctor and for Marty to fly home that evening. Joshua, Sylvia and I are doing better but still have congestion and a cough. She has also been battling migraine headaches as well so please continue to pray with us for total healing.

Thanks for your faithful prayer and financial support of GCOM! We are a ministry team with each of us doing our part to impact lives for Christ in Mexico and around the world!

Serving Christ,

Rev. Kevin, Sylvia and Joshua Rosendahl

MINISTRY NEEDS

−$200 for van repairs

−A children’s home that we are helping needs someone to run the children’s home and staff to work at the children’s home. If interested, please contact me.

PRAYER NEEDS

Prayer Needs

−For total healing for Sylvia, Joshua and me

−For guidance for us for every ministry, family and personal decision−For favor in getting the ministry supplies that came down in the semi to Laredo into Mexico

−For our upcoming Bible College Graduation in Nuevo Laredo to go smoothly and to give glory to God!

−For Pastor Manuel as he begins to train pastors in rural San Luis Potosi to be more effective pastors through studying the Video Bible College classes

−For us to be able to complete the church building in Vicam, Sonora, with the Yaquis, as quickly as possible. We are waiting on more bricks for the church.

−For favor in getting the van fixed

−For the corona virus cases to slow down and dissipate in the US, Mexico and around the world

GIVING

Remember, PayPal is a safe and convenient way to donate to Grace Christian Outreach Ministry. Go to www.paypal.com. Sign up and usage is free. Payment can be made by either credit card or bank debit. Simply choose the send money tab.

Put in our email address (gracechristian@frontiernet.net) and the amount you wish to contribute.

Feb 03

Update from The Szymanski’s

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I pray for Grace and Peace for each of you this year. God only knows what He has planed for each of us in 2021. We are well equipped in Christ to face any challenges we may face. This morning when I was praying I remembered a time when things were very difficult here on the mission field. A friend of mine told me we should go back to the states. My reply to him was “What is better to enjoy the comforts of home or to share in the sufferings of Christ?”

Our son Daniel started his YWAM DTS a few weeks ago. His second week there he got the covid 19 virus along with half of the students. He is suffering during the recovery from the virus. When Daniel decided to go to YWAM He knew there was a chance he would get the virus but He counted it as a risk that comes with serving the Lord. As parents we had to face that risk as well when we sent him off to YWAM. Now we are dealing with the reality of our son suffering once again for our Savior.

We are very proud of our son Daniel. We do ask you to pray with us for Daniels recovery and for the other students who are with him. I asked Daniel if he wanted to come home and he said no. Even with the virus He is enjoying his training at YWAM. Please pray for Maricruz this is not easy for a mother.

God is Good!!! and we tell people everyday on the radio that God is Good!!! God is soooo Good!!! The suffering of the covid virus in Mexico is extremely bad.You won’t hear of it on the news. All day long we are getting prayer requests from people with the virus. I do love to see how people are turning to God as the answer to the virus. Prayer is very powerful that’s why the enemy wants to stop us from praying. These days are called for praying. All Saints should be calling out to God and putting their focus on prayer.

Part of our ministry is to care for Widows and Orphans. I would like to mention that the Lord has provided resources for us to expand our feeding ministry. It is a great pleasure to partner with you in caring for God’s Widows and Orphans. Let me ask, What would you like to do to help God in caring for His Widows and Orphans and how can we assist you in doing that?

We are praying for you and yours.

The Szymanski’s

Feb 02

Encouragement from Cheryl Coulter: In the Beginning

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Jan 29

Bishop Coulter invites you to join us for a 21-DAY PRAYER FAST FOR NATIONS: Feb 5-26

Dear Friends,

During the last World Pray meeting,  Bishop Jerry Bowers and the  team were sharing with each other how that many of the Christians they were ministering to were discouraged and  losing faith over the events of the day. They decided to encourage the people and help them to become more proactive by developing 21-Day Prayer Fast for Nations.

I invite and encourage you to join me and the team on this 21-Day Prayer Fast for Nations beginning February 5 through 26.

 Also, please invite those in your ministry and your friends to join. 

We include Bishop Jerry’s notes and guide. Click the link for the full letter, decrees, and declarations.

Twenty-One-Day-Nations-Prayer-1Download

Let God arise and His enemies be scattered,

Bishop Bob Coulter

21-DAY PRAYER FAST FOR NATIONS – February 5 to 26

Today in the nations, our greatest need to is preach the gospel of the kingdom. We face a battle with many roadblocks to the gospel.  We face a pandemic virus, hostile governments, oppression, hunger, violence and the murder of our unborn children.  Our battle is not with politics or men, but with principalities and powers in heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) Political leaders will not save us. There is a need to repent on behalf of our nation, its leaders and the Church which needs to find its voice and its knees before God on behalf of the nations. (2 Chron. 7:14). The shedding of the blood of our babies and violence needs to be addressed by spiritual leaders even if it is not politically acceptable.

When Daniel encountered warfare, he turned to God in a 21-day prayer and fasting effort. God has, himself told us what kind of fast He is looking for in Isaiah 58. The apostles in the Book of Acts experienced a lockdown that restricted the preaching of the gospel. God showed them how to address it. With these biblical references in mind, the following 21-day outline applies biblical principles from Daniel 10; Isaiah 58, and Luke 4:18-20.
Bishop Jerry Bowers

21 Day Prayer Focus to renew Hope and Love in Christ

Day 1:  Offer Praise and Thanksgiving unto the Lord. Read Luke Chapter Four and meditate on the battle Christ went through in order to bring a shift of focus from religion to showing the Father’s love to the people. Pray into what God shows you.
Day 2: Read the feeding of the 5,000. What did Christ tell his disciples to do? Give to others.
Day 3: Read Matt. 10:5-8. What were the disciples to go out and do freely? Pray for others. How did Christ minister regarding man’s need in Acts 10:38? Minister and speak freedom to others.
Day 4: Read Matt. 5:43-48. Who are we to love and how are we to act? Pray for your enemies.
Day 5: Read Luke 10:1-9, 17. What is our part in prayer-walking in our city or marketplaces? Speak peace. What did Christ see in verse 17 that revealed how Satan was defeated by ministry to families? Follow this.
Day 6: Read Ephesians 5. What does it look like when our light shines? Walk in and speak light into darkness.
Day 7: Read Acts 4: Declare the mighty acts of God over your city and family. Call forth restoration.
Day 8: Read Acts 4: Lift up before God the restrictions in your life and city and declare that His word will come forth and not return void. Isaiah 55:10-11.
Day 9: Read Acts 4: Ask God to stretch forth His hand to heal people and show signs and wonders to break the strongholds of the enemy.
Day 10: Read Acts 4: Ask God to release “Boldness” over the release of His word that it will go forth with power in your city and fellowship.
Day 11: Read Acts 4: Ask God to show you what you can share with others to help them or encourage others to have hope.
Day 12: Read Acts 4: How does the resurrection of Christ speak life and hope into our present situations? What can you proclaim about how the power of His resurrection impacts truth, life and hope in our world today?
Day 13: Read Acts 3: What did Peter have that was more valuable than riches?
Day 14: Read Acts 3: Why did Peter take him by the hand and what does this say about our reaching out to others?
Day 15: Read Acts 3: What was the name of the gate where Peter found the lame man? The gate was known historically as the “Shushan Gate.” It commemorated the deliverance brought by King Cyrus who lived in the city of Shushan. It was literally known as a “Gate of Deliverance.” It was to this gate the disciples came to announce and greater deliverance and a greater deliverer than what Cyrus represented. They came to demonstrate this deliverance by healing the lame man.  Speak a release of this gate in your city.
Day 16: Read Acts 3:26. Why are we told that God raised up Christ and what would he do for us? The word here “to bless” means to speak well of us.” How can he see all our iniquity and still speak well of us? He sees us complete in His Son and declares us righteous. We are to encourage others to come to the gate beautiful and believe in a new life Christ can offer them. Righteousness by faith is seeing ourselves in God’s eyes.
Day 17: Read Acts 4:4: How many heard the man’s testimony of entering the Gate Beautiful and believed his message?  What does this suggest the church needs to be doing in our cities?
Day 18: Read Acts 4:7: What did the rulers want to know about how this miracle had happened? What does this say about our witness for Christ?
Day 19: Read Acts 4:10: How does wholeness come to us. (See also 2 Cor. 5:17) What message of hope can we give to people who are now fearing death and the virus?
Day 20: Read Acts 4:13: As the rulers heard the disciples speaking with boldness what did they realize about who they had been with? 
 Day 21: Read Acts 4:18-20. What did they affirm that they had to keeping speaking about? Meditate on the sacrifice of Christ in Isaiah 53 and Phil. 2:1-16. How these texts affect what we speak about and how we should relate to our world? Make your own declaration on this.

CLICK for full copy of letter with decrees and declarations.

Twenty-One-Day-Nations-PrayerDownload

Jan 27

Rending the Veil: Encouragement from Bishop Coulter

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Jan 22

Ufa Bible Ministries, January Report 2021

FEAR NOT, For I am With You:

SPANNING CONTINENTS FOR CHRIST

WWW.UFABIBLE.INFO

The most popular Bible verse of 2020, according to the app YouVision, was words from Isaiah 41:10: fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God is reaching out to His people with the message of hope and encouragement in the time of darkness. It’s true that 2020 has been a challenge for many of us in many ways. But it is also true that He has been faithful throughout the year. We are entering 2021 holding onto a solid hope about all the possibilities that lie in store for the ministry and for us.

Christmas Program

This year we had a very blessed Christmas service on January 7th. Our children did a wonderful job too. We had several of their parents visiting for the first time. That was especially special! Besides, we had one man at the service who was a first-time visitor. He said he was struggling with his faith in Allah. He said he had a dream and a voice telling him to search for “the people of the Book”.

That’s a typical reference about Christians here. So, could you please be in prayer for that man as he was obviously seeking for the truth, not knowing that the real truth was so close? Pray that we can have another opportunity to meet and talk with him.

Continue to pray for parents of our ESL students that the Lord would continue to work in their heartsand mind. Many of them are naturally afraid of Christians. But due to the ESL school studies, we have built some very special relationships with many of them. Pray that we may have opportunities to share with all of them.

Family

We were blessed to share our Christmas table with our Tatar side of the family here. We’ve had precious moments of sharing about salvation in Christ with our Muslim relatives.We have greatly appreciated your prayers and support through this last year. We look forward to continuing to represent you to the people of Bashkortostan in 2021!

GIVING

You can make tax deductible contribution to Ufa Bible Ministries which is recognized by the IRS as a 501c3 non-profit entity.

Make checks payable to:

Ufa Bible Ministries

PO BOX 1761

Columbia, SC 29202