Prayer Needs

EGC Prayer Bulletin Archive

2007

DECEMBER 2007

Dear Friends,

As I reflect on this past year, I am grateful for a strong and active Board of Directors, several new staff people who joined the Center in 2007, the production of New England's Book of Acts and the Intercultural Leadership Consultation in October, how God is bringing hope to street youth through the Sanctuary Arts Community, the support neXus Boston provides to urban youth workers, and for the Lord's sustaining grace during some challenging times. I'm also grateful for each of one you, whose prayer for us and for Boston undergirds everything we do.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Jeff Bass, Executive Director

December Prayer Requests
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Brian Gearin asks that we pray for members of a youth financial literacy class he leads in the Codman Square section of Dorchester. "Several of the youth that are in this group have friends and acquaintances who have been victims of gun violence. Please pray for the personal safety of the members of this group and also pray for their dedication to fully participate in the 39-week program." Brian also asks that we pray for a second group also meeting in Dorchester, that more young people would join.

An EGC ministry partner in India, the Kolhapur Church Council, is interested in developing a church-planting focus that might incorporate community development models of ministry. Some EGC staff are planning to meet with the Council in February. Pray for Ramesh and Sheba Telore, Ralph and Judy Kee, and Clarence McGregor as they travel there to consult with our Indian partners.

Donna Calawa, a long-time friend of EGC, in ministry in Springfield, Mass., along with her husband, Don, ask for prayer for their son, Pasha, who has special needs. "Pray for good communication and understanding among all the institutions and individuals involved," Donna says.

Sheba Telore asks for prayer for her husband, Ramesh, as he copes with diabetes and other medical issues. Sheba also writes, "Please pray for a friend's daughter, a 17-year-old named Samantha, who has had longstanding health problems. Please pray that the doctors will have the wisdom to diagnose her problem and provide treatment."

Ralph Kee would like us to pray for the final "Forum on Apostolic Ministry" to be held tomorrow evening, December 6. "Pray that God will clearly use these conversations to further church planting movements in and out from Boston," he says.

Francis Balla's wife, Wilma, has a medical need. Please pray for healing and for the finances to seek medical help if needed. Pray also for Francis as he completes this semester at CUME, Gordon-Conwell's extension seminary in Boston. Francis also asks that we pray for God's leading and direction in regards to their future ministry.

EGC staff member Prudence says, "My immigration case is coming up on Dec.20, 2007. I would appreciate prayers for final decision to be made on that day in my favor according to God's will. I know that nothing is impossible to God."

Gregg Detwiler asks for prayer for the important reflection process following the October Intercultural Leadership Consultation (ILC). Please pray for Gregg Detwiler and the ILC Team as they seek to discern important lessons learned in the ILC process and implications upon future ministry plans. A final report will be written and distributed in early 2008.

Pray for God's provision for EGC's finances as we continue to seek to be obedient to the Lord and work to build his Kingdom.

Please join with the Boston TenPoint Coalition in proclaiming a season of peace from gun violence. During this short period of time between Thanksgiving and the New Year there were 6 homicides in 2004, 9 in 2005 and 7 last year in 2006. The Boston TenPoint Coalition is advocating for a Season of Peace this holiday season from November 25, 2007 until January 1, 2008. Please pray for peace in Boston. For more info contact Lori Nelson at (617) 524-4331 or email her at lnelson@btpc.org.

Several dozen pastors and Christian leaders will be meeting for their monthly prayer time, Pray for Boston, next week on December 11, 2007 in Roxbury. Contact Brian Corcoran at prayforboston@egc.org to learn more. Please pray for the city's leaders as they continue to meet regularly to pray for deep transformation in the churches and in the cities around Greater Boston and New England. Pray for unity and vision among those who gather faithfully to pray.

Pray for staff member Nicole Palmiera and her husband as they seek the Lord's peace and protection during a difficult time. Also pray for Edward Sayles, our part-time staff financial consultant, as Edward is suffering from a sudden and serious illness and is in the hospital today for diagnosis and a treatment plan. Pray for a complete healing for Edward and comfort for his family.

EGC Staff December 2007
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Thanks for your prayers! We publish our list of staff [on our website] with hopes that you will be lifting us up to the Lord in prayer this month.

Many EGC staff members will be taking time off to spend Christmas with family and friends. Please pray for safety for those who are traveling. And pray for rest and rejuvenation for all of us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

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NOVEMBER 2007

~~~EGC ANNUAL DAY OF PRAYER, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 14~~~

Dear Friends,

Thank you for praying for the staff and ministries of the Emmanuel Gospel Center. Thank you, too, for praying for the advancement of God's Kingdom in the city. The Lord is at work in Boston, and I know he is pleased when his children seek to join him in his work in various ways.

If you can, please make a special effort to remember the Center and the city in prayer on November 14, which is when our staff will gather for our annual day of prayer.

Sincerely,

Jeff Bass, Executive Director

November Prayer Requests
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Pastor Sol Védrine asks that we pray for the Vision Globale Conference in Miami on November 12-16. The Conference is an opportunity for scores of Christian Haitian leaders who are living in many countries to come together to assess the status of the global Haitian Christian church and pray for Haiti.

"Pray for Boston," a monthly prayer gathering for Boston's pastors and leaders, is celebrating a year of prayer gatherings. Their next meeting is November 20, from 9:00 to noon, in Roxbury. Please mark this date on your calendar, and be in agreement in prayer from wherever you are on that day as we bring the city of Boston before the Lord in prayer. For information, contact Brian Corcoran at EGC.

Jane DiZazzo writes from Starlight Ministries, "Praise God for the donations of blankets we have been given, 12 dozen from one group, several dozen from another, and 3 dozen from another! Continue to pray for more blankets, more men's clothing donations and travel-size toiletries to come in as well! Pray for new volunteers for Wednesday and Thursday night outreaches. Pray that all the outreach groups on the streets and the churches will have a true heart and love for the lost and the broken. Pray that God will work through us all to change lives and bring folks to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pray particularly for Pat and for John, both of whom need Jesus."

Sandy Jackson says, "I would like to thank all of you for your prayers for me! God has answered--now my seizures are finally under control! My new prayer request is for God's guidance on what work he wants me to do professionally."

Michele Mitsumori writes, "Please pray for the finances of the Center, and the management thereof." She also notes:

Praises for our ministry partners--South End Neighborhood Church purchased beautiful new chairs for our sanctuary as well as a brand-new glass-top stove; volunteers from Cristiana Misionera Elim painted the basement multipurpose room and stairwell area. It is wonderful to enjoy this collaboration!
Speaking of shared space, God has blessed many of our ministries with growth--new staff, additional volunteers, new programs, etc. This challenges us to reflect on how we are using our space. This month we will be having our first meeting to start to think about this, and we ask for discernment, wisdom, and openness to God's plans.

We want to give praise for the expansion of the neXus Boston team who are now joined by Tamecia Jones, staff research writer; and interns Annery Miranda and Gaby Morales.

Please pray for Alice Rouse and former Starlight staffer, Clara Miller, who are vacationing in India for the month of November! Pray that they will get the rest they need, will connect with and learn from various ministries they will be trying to visit, and for travel safety and good health while traveling.

Pray for Dana Wade as she is spending vacation time visiting friends serving Christ in a difficult area of the world. Pray for safety and a fruitful trip. We expect her back in the office about a week from now.

Gregg Detwiler says, "Praise God for His many blessings at the New England Intercultural Leadership Consultation. Nearly 400 leaders from 45 different ethnic or affinity groups participated in the event with many leaders reporting significant encouragement and transformation from their participation. Please now pray for the very important work of evaluating the lessons learned from the ILC and the implications of that learning upon future ministry."

Ralph Kee says that the Greater Boston Church Planting Collaborative is providing a "Forum for Apostolic Ministry," to be held on five Thursday evenings beginning this week, November 8, from 7 - 9 p.m., convening at International Community Church, 557 Cambridge St., Allston. Participants will learn from each other how church planting movements work and can work in and out from Greater Boston. Please be praying for these forums, and for those men and women who are following God's call to plant new churches in Boston!

Former EGC operations and business manager, Joyce Lawson, retired earlier this year. Pray for Joyce as she is moving to Texas today. Pray also for her daughter, EGC staff member Crystal Dixon, who will miss having her Mom around, as well as having her help with the family. Crystal and Michael are expecting their fifth child in January.

Wayne and Lori Earl, serving with Life!Marseille, an EGC fiscal conduit ministry, report that their daughter Esther is healthier, grew a few inches, and, most importantly, had a very favorable report from the doctors that no more cancer is to be found outside the neck and lungs area! Wayne says, "She is upbeat and the doctor's are hopeful." Please continue to pray for Esther as the treatment continues. Also, pray for Wayne and Lori as they seek the wisdom and revelation of the Lord to find the next phase of ministry for them. They are currently back from France, living in New England.

Linda Clark asks us to pray for WatchBoston, a sister ministry, where Linda spends much of her energies:

for divine strategy and revelation for the leadership, including Linda
for financial provision of $100,000 for the coming year's needs
for building space to locate a 24/7 house of prayer; office and meeting space
for divine protection and for revelation and destruction of the enemy's plans against the WatchBoston ministry, and the Massachusetts Prayer Network.

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"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him." --1 Jn 5:14, 15 NIV

"His Word Is His Will! Depend upon the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind what you should pray. Pray in faith. You have only to believe that God believes what he said and that he is faithful and true to be who he says he is.

... from a recent talk at EGC by Colleen Sherman

EGC Staff November 2007
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Thanks for your prayers! We publish our list of staff [on our website] with hopes that you will be lifting us up to the Lord in prayer this month. We cannot do what we do unless people like you stand with us in prayer!

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OCTOBER 2007

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for the ministry of EGC and the work of God across the city of Boston this month. October is a busy month at EGC. Significant events include:

Sanctuary Art Show at Christ the King Church in Cambridge on October 12;
neXus Boston Open House at the Center for Urban Ministerial Education building in Roxbury on October 18; and the
Intercultural Leadership Consultation (ILC) at Grace Chapel on October 20.

As a staff, we are praying for each of these events as we want Jesus to be glorified and honored in every situation. Tomorrow morning, we will be joining dozens of friends at the CUME building from 9 to noon to pray specifically for Christ to be honored during the October 20 Consultation.

Thanks for joining with us in prayer for these events and the needs listed below.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Bass
Executive Director

P.S. If you have not been there yet, visit our new and improved website at www.egc.org for more information on these events, and to learn more about the Center’s various ministries. The latest edition of Inside EGC is also posted on the website under “newsletters,” and this edition is focused on the subject of prayer.

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Prayer needs for October

Nicole Palmeira writes: “Please keep the upcoming Vitality Project Retreat in your prayers. The VP staff will be spending a weekend together praying and planning for the upcoming year. This will likely include local, regional, and national endeavors, and we desire to follow God’s direction and timing so all of this service we do will glorify him.”

On Friday Oct. 12, Starlight youth outreach, a ministry to young people who are homeless, presents “Wake Up!,” a Sanctuary Art Show at Christ the King Church in Cambridge. Pray for the event, that the youth who participate will experience the love of Jesus through the appreciation of those who attend the show, and that guests who are new to Starlight can see how God is at work among youth who are homeless in Boston and Cambridge.

Brian Gearin and Crystal Dixon have asked us to pray for a new initiative spearheaded by both the Boston Education Collaborative and EGC’s Community Development Ministry. The program, called the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, will partner with churches and community organizations to offer a 39-week program offering financial literacy, post-secondary life development, and business training for high school students. An orientation night is planned for October 16 at three locations. Please pray for the facilitators and the students, that this new program would be a help and encouragement to them as they make plans for their futures.

Pray for the staff of neXus Boston as they plan for their Open House at the Center for Urban Ministerial Education building in Roxbury on October 18.

Prudence writes: “I would appreciate prayer for my immigration case scheduled on October 19. Please pray that all the strongholds of the enemy would be removed and defeated in Jesus’ name, that the case would end on that day, and that the judge would be able to decide on the case with God’s guidance and wisdom, and that God’s will would be done. Please also pray for God’s special protection for me at this time.”

Rev. Gregg Detwiler asks that we please continue to pray for the Intercultural Leadership Consultation (ILC) on October 20. Pray for the final assembling of the ministry panels that will be presenting; pray for increased registration of those who will attend. Our hope is to see 600 leaders participate. And, most of all, pray that we will use our humble efforts as a catalyst for greater intercultural cooperation in the Body of Christ and a stimulus to greater Kingdom growth in our region and world.

Rudy Mitchell and Brian Corcoran are both working on research projects to be presented at the ILC. They ask for grace to finish well and on time.

Pastor Sol Védrine asks that we pray specifically for preparations for the Vision Globale Conference in Miami on November 12-16. There are some invited delegates who are having trouble getting visas to attend the meeting. Please pray for favor with the authorities, and that the Lord would open the doors for all those he wants to attend. The Vision Globale Conference is an opportunity for Christian Haitian leaders who are living in many countries to come together to assess the status of the global Haitian Christian church and pray for Haiti.

Brian Corcoran also asks that we pray for a friend of his, Maung-Maung, who recently took an appointment as professor at a Burmese seminary in Myanmar. Pray for his safety as that country is experiencing political upheaval. Pray for wisdom as he follows God’s call to nurture leaders among the churches in that nation.

Changes are afoot at Starlight Ministries. Robert Taylor has transitioned to a new position of Director of Church Training, to continue Starlight’s mission to help churches address the needs of their neighbors who are homeless. Liza Cagua is serving as interim director as they seek a new Starlight director. And there is also a specific need for another youth outreach worker to help Alice Rouse in her ministry with youth on the streets. Please pray that the Lord would lead us to his choices for these two new people, and that Robert, Liza, and Alice would know the grace and wisdom of God as they passionately pursue their callings.

The Vitality Project welcomes two new partners, Rev. Colleen Sherman and Linda Clark, both of whom have experience in teaching and promoting prayer initiatives. Colleen has joined the EGC staff and Linda serves as a consultant to help build an infrastructure of prayer movements across New England. They want to find those with a passion to pray, identify both thriving as well as dying or failed prayer movements, and encourage more prayer in each major city through training and teaching in effective prayer.

We welcome new interns this month. Amanda O’Connor is a VISTA volunteer who will be working with Crystal Dixon and the Boston Education Collaborative. And Annery Miranda, a New City Scholar and Gordon College senior, is serving as research intern with neXus Boston.

Michele Mitsumori asks that we pray for a few physical needs of the Center. As the staff grows, we need three more desks and three new computers. These desks must be very narrow as they must pass up a narrow staircase at the Center. The computers must be XP compatible laptops or desktops.

Brian Gearin also asks that we pray for his church, First Baptist of Everett, as they have an important meeting on Friday October 12 to seek the Lord’s direction for the next phase of their ministry.

Steve Daman asks for prayer for his nephew Matthew, 19, who recently suffered a head injury and needs the Lord’s healing touch.

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Thanks for your prayers! We publish our list of staff [on our website] with hopes that you will be lifting us up to the Lord in prayer this month. We cannot do what we do unless people like you stand with us in prayer!

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SEPTEMBER 2007

Dear Friends,

I know you get lots of emails, but I'd appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to look through the prayer requests listed below, and pray for one or two (or more), as the Lord leads. Praying is a great way to participate in what God is doing in the city, and we know that our work is empowered through your prayers.

Thank you for praying for the staff and ministries of the Emmanuel Gospel Center. May the Lord bless you as you serve him.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Bass
Executive Director

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September Prayer Requests and Praises

Francis Balla writes: "Pray for our three daughters: Joanna, Jemimah and Tara, as they start a fresh school year in the public school. Pray that they will be strong to face the challenges and the demands of the school. Also, I will be graduating next spring, 2008, from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Please pray for God's wisdom in discerning his direction for our future ministry.

Jennifer and Khary Bridgewater had a beautiful baby girl on August 23. Little Grace is sleeping 3 or 4 hours at a stretch, according to Khary. While things were not easy for Jennifer just after delivery, God was faithful and both Jennifer and Grace are healthy and whole. Praise the Lord!

Michele Mitsumori says, "Praise God for blessing our efforts to continue to update and improve our financial systems! We are blessed to have Edward Sayles as financial consultant this fiscal year. He is a tremendous help to us in improving our reporting capacities! As both a blessing and prayer request: we have need of some new desks, as God keeps sending us more people!"

Pastor Larry and Jane DiZazzo would like to see a Christian-based transitional housing unit in Boston for those who are ready to make the move off the streets. Join with them in prayer for the Lord's timing, wisdom, and resources as they actively explore this vision together.

Pray for Nicole Palmeira and her husband as they face some difficult personal challenges. Pray for the Lord's favor and wisdom in their lives. Also lift up Prudence Wairimuka and her family as they also need the Lord's gracious intervention in times of difficulty.

Rev. Gregg Detwiler says: "We praise God for the many answers to prayer that have come as preparations continue for the Intercultural Leadership Consultation on October 20. A few recent examples include a grant for a portion of the budget and the resources to produce a video to be shown at the ILC that will portray what God has been doing in New England from the Puritan period to the present. Please continue to pray for the many details that still need to come together, but mostly pray that God will use this event as a catalyst for bringing the diverse Body of Christ together from across New England and that God's Kingdom will be greatly advanced through this process!"

Rudy and Sara Mitchell write: "Pray for our son, Joel, as he begins work in Darfur, Sudan, this month." Rudy asks that we also pray that the leaders of the various Christian ethnic communities who are reporting at the Intercultural Leadership Consultation will be able to complete their research reports on time.

Sheba Telore has been suffering from severe stiffness and pain in one shoulder. Doctors have not been able to help. Please pray for complete healing, whether through the medical system or not.

Tia Holcomb, former staff member, is cancer-free and back in good health! We praise God for his mercy and faithfulness and answered prayer! We are now praying for Tia as she looks for a job.

The September Boston pastors' prayer gathering will be held on Thursday, September 13, from 9 to noon at the CUME building on Warren Street in Boston. For information contact prayforboston @ egc.org.

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AUGUST 2007

Dear Friends,

We pray that the Lord will provide for our ministry needs, and sometimes he answers that prayer in very unexpected ways.

The other day, our good friend Diane Blake, who was volunteering to help us clean out some storage areas, brought a big box of art supplies from storage down to the main office. It turns out the supplies were purchased a few years ago for the annual youth camp we used to run as part of the Youth Ministry Development Project. The office staff passed the box along to Alice Rouse and the Sanctuary Arts Community team, who just launched this new weekly outreach to youth who are homeless in May. The Sanctuary team got very, very excited as they looked through the box. "This is all stuff that was on our shopping lists!" Alice exclaimed.

God cares for the little things and the big things.

Your prayers make a difference. Thank you again for praying!

Jeff Bass
Executive Director

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August Prayer Needs

Dr. Elijah Kim and his extended family in Korea are mourning the loss of Elijah's father, who passed away on July 27. Elijah says he is grateful that his father had given his life to Christ, so Elijah is looking forward to seeing him again in heaven. Please also keep Elijah's mother in prayer, as her health is fragile and deteriorating as well. Remember, too, that Elijah's wife, Amy, continues to serve their church in the Philippines while Elijah works here in Boston.

Please join us and many others around the world in praying for the safety and release of the Korean hostages in Afghanistan.

The fifth cohort of New City Scholars will start their college experience as a mentored team at Gordon College later this month. Pray for these eight students, that they would soon adjust to their new environment, and that they would know the power of the Lord in their lives as they start their studies. (The New City Scholars program is a ministry of EGC's Boston Education Collaborative and Gordon College.)

Pastor Soliny Védrine is leading a mission trip to La Romana, the Dominican Republic, this week and next. From August 6-13, an international team will provide a variety of ministry opportunities for the Haitian community living in the Dominican Republic, including those living in substandard conditions who work in the sugar cane plantations. Youth and children's work, Bible distribution, evangelism, pastors seminars, church visits, food distribution, medical clinic and training, and nightly Gospel rallies are among the many programs scheduled. EGC staffer Vince Campbell and his wife, Diana, are also part of the team this year. Please pray for all involved, and for the growth of the Haitian church community in the Dominican Republic.

Starlight's Youth Outreach Director, Alice Rouse, writes: "Please pray for my health. There have been some differing opinions as to what exactly is wrong with me, and I have yet another doctor's appointment in mid-August (when I return from debriefing in San Francisco with the interns who were helping Sanctuary this summer.) But regardless of the exact diagnosis, pray that I have more energy, less pain, and that I learn the discipline of rest. Oh! and I need a coworker. Desperately!"

Rev. Gregg Detwiler says, "Praise God for the growing enthusiasm as we prepare for the Intercultural Leadership Consultation: New England's Book of Acts on October 20. Please pray for:

effectiveness in convening a wide array of leaders prior to the consultation
the five subcommittees who are working very hard: Research and Writing, Logistics, Recruiting, Leadership Program, and Worship Celebration.
the necessary funding to be able to provide complementary passes to key leaders and scholarships to those in need of assistance
God to use this day as a catalyst to greater Kingdom Growth in the city, region and world!"

Rev. Ralph Kee shares a concern for the new house churches growing up in and around Boston's neighborhoods: "As new churches are planted in Greater Boston, it is so important that they be perceived as real blessings in the neighborhoods where they are located. If a casual neighbor is asked, 'Are you glad this new church is meeting just down the street from where you live?', we want that neighbor to say an emphatic, 'Yes, they have brought an influence into this neighborhood that the neighborhood needs.' Do pray to this end."

Prudence Wairimuka asks that we pray that tuition money will be available for her sons to remain in school, so that they can stay in the country they are in until God's timing to bring the family together again. Please also pray for God's protection for them all.

Sheba Telore asks that we continue to pray for her daughter, Mabel's, health issues and schooling. Also, Sheba and her family have begun boarding short-term international students. Please pray for them as they interact with the students and seek to share the love of Christ with them. Sheba also asks that we pray for her "adopted mom," Margaret, who is undergoing tests for some stomach issues.

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JULY 2007

Dear Friends,

I hope you are enjoying the summer heat! Ministry does not really slow down much in the summer months, though I do encourage our staff (and everybody, really), to take a good amount of time off. God designed us for work, preparing in advance things for us to do, but he also designed us for rest and play. We function better when these things are in balance, and summer is often the time to catch up on neglected non-work priorities.

Thank you for praying for the city and for the staff and ministries of the Emmanuel Gospel Center. Your prayers empower our work, and, as always, there is a lot about which to pray. If you would, please add a special prayer for one or more of the Center's staff listed in this email, that the Lord would refresh and revive us, and that our lives and ministries would be characterized by joy.

May you enjoy the Lord's blessing this summer,

Jeff Bass
Executive Director

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July Prayer Needs

Brian Gearin starts with a note of praise: "I want to praise the Lord for the way that he has provided the finances for my participation at the PEER Servants 'Ricchari 2007' conference in Peru, July 27-August 8, called 'To Awaken to God's Vision of Economic Empowerment.' The Lord's provision for the funds for me to go on this trip was a direct answer to prayer." Brian continues with these additional requests: "Please pray for:

Good networking time with friends doing Christian micro-enterprise from around the world.
My ability to communicate well, as my Spanish is very poor.
God's help in assisting my good friend from the Philippines, Ruth Callanta, a keynote speaker of the conference.
God's help in assisting Mrs. Carol Mostrom as the participants of the conference are able to do outreach ministries in Cuzco under her leadership."

Ruth Wong asks that we please pray for the Higher Education Resource Center staff retreat on July 9 and 10. "We desire that God will use that time to draw us together as one body and that his Spirit will guide us as we discuss and plan for next year and the future direction of HERC." There will be a dozen staff at the retreat from EGC and from the HERC sites in Boston, Dorchester, Lawrence and Worcester.

Judy Hall writes, "Please pray for Jeff Bass and the Halls and others who will be involved as a team in teaching urban ministry again this fall for CUME (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's urban extension, the Center for Urban Ministerial Education). Pray for Jeff, who is planning the curriculum, and for Steve Daman, who is working to finish the draft of the Hall's book in time for the class so that the students can use it for class reading! Doug and I praise God for those who are stepping up to continue this ministry that we have done for so many years. We will continue to be involved, but we are happy that the mantle is being passed, and we know the class will be even better than when we taught it!"

Please pray for Ruth Wairimu, new to our intercultural ministries staff, and the security of her children who are in Africa while she is here. Pray for them all as she goes through the process of trying to bring the family together again.

Brian Gearin adds, "I also want to ask for prayer as Crystal Dixon and I put together youth-oriented curriculum (with the help a small working group) for the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) which begins in October and runs until next summer. I would also ask for prayer for a Community Development Seminar that I am facilitating with The Cambridge Vineyard Church next month on August 11."

Dana Wade, development director, says, "Typically, donations to nonprofits are down in the summer. Please pray for EGC in the coming months that the Lord would send us all we need to do all he has called us to do. He is faithful, and his resources know no limits."

Rudy Mitchell asks, "Pray for my mother, who is elderly, as Sara and I go on vacation at the end of this month. Pray that my mother would have peace and comfort while others care for her while we are away." Rudy's Mom lives with Rudy and Sara here in Boston.

Brian Corcoran says that the "Hall Hotel" community house is packed for the summer, including a stream of visitors, and plans are coming together for the fall. "We have far more inquiries for community than we can accommodate. Pray for wisdom as we make selections. Pray also for peace and harmony in our house this summer, that we will all grow in the grace of the Lord as we live to please him."

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JUNE 2007

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for the Emmanuel Gospel Center in response to our special request email of May 17. These past few weeks have been difficult, but I know God is at work in all that is happening. As far as I know, everything is still under investigation and no decisions have been made as to the next course of action for those involved. Please continue to pray for the authorities involved, for the victim and his family, for Larry Brown and for Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Pray, too, for the broader Church, that hidden sin will be brought to light, and that we will cooperate with God's Spirit at work in our midst.

Your prayers make a difference. Thank you again for praying!

Jeff Bass
Executive Director

(If you did not receive our May 17 special request, details of this particular need are on our website and will also be in the forthcoming Inside EGC newsletter released in a few days.)

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God is in the details!

EGC Missionary Jasmin Sung writes from the Czech Republic and shares a lesson on perspectives:

Anne, Bill, Alena and I took off for Bratislava to finally pick up Bill and Anne's visa (by the way, they finally got it!). While I was driving, my car died. About halfway there the engine suddenly stopped working. The car mechanic looked at my car and said that we were lucky that the car did not catch fire. The fuel control under the rear seat was leaking and there was no gas going towards the engine. So the engine died and a belt broke and the spark plugs also did not work. I am not sure if this makes sense to you, but what I understood was that a couple of things were not working, so because of that it didn't explode. Now the car is in Cerna Hora, about 2 ½ hours away from home, being repaired by this nice auto mechanic. In two weeks, I should be able to pick it up.

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June Prayer Needs

Michele Mitsumori asks that we pray for the EGC staff as we have many changes happening at this time:

Pray for Joyce Lawson, who has retired; pray for her as she seeks God for direction in this new capacity for the Kingdom!
Pray for Phil Hou, moving on from Applied Evaluation Systems (AES) after two years with us. Pray for God's clear direction as he seeks a new position.
Pray for Nika Elugardo, preparing to attend law school full time in the fall.
Pray for Khary Bridgewater, back on staff at EGC this month as senior consultant with AES.
Pray for Grace Lin and Angie Wilshire, whose roles at EGC are changing. Both will be working with Dana Wade and Steve Daman in our development department.
Pray for me, Michele, as I take on my new role as Operations Manager here at the Center.
Pray for Edward Sayles, who will be joining EGC next week as financial consultant.

Summer means interns! Please pray for volunteers and interns who will be coming to join us this summer that they would have a fruitful and productive time of service learning in a ministry setting. Among them, three interns are coming from the West Coast to help Alice Rouse and Laura Williamson with Starlight Youth Outreach, serving youth who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. (If anyone else is interested in helping out in any of our programs this summer, please contact either Michele Mitsumori or Jeff Bass.)

Pray for Charlotte Schulz's brother Warren, who is diabetic, and is having serious problems with his feet. Please pray that he will be able to keep all his toes. At the same time, though, he is very grateful to God for the care he has been getting, the medications available today, and that some troubling side effects have been mitigated.

God answers prayer! Gregg Detwiler praises God for the provision of two new staff members working with him in Intercultural Ministries-Francis Balla and Prudence Kantengwa. Please pray for the Intercultural Ministries team and the planning team as they work on the huge task of hosting the next Intercultural Leadership Consultation next October. This event is aiming to bring together 600 leaders from 20+ people groups across New England for a time of intercultural reporting, learning and collaboration.

Francis Balla, newly on staff with our Intercultural Ministries writes,

Please pray for:

our daughters, ages 11, 9, and 6, as they face certain challenges in the public school
God's grace and wisdom as I complete my MDiv program
continued financial provision for our family
God's direction for future ministry once I complete seminary
for effectiveness in soul winning

Prudence Kantengwa asks for prayer for family concerns. Pray for wisdom and favor, for safety and God's grace as she seeks God's answer to her needs. Please also pray for financial provision for further education this fall.

Ruth Wong asks that we pray for

spiritual wisdom, discernment, and a shared vision for the direction of the Higher Education Resource Centers, as we evaluate our model and our programs at our July staff retreat.
continued academic, emotional, and spiritual development and growth of all the HERC students and alumni.
the first graduating seniors from the New City Scholars Program, that God will direct their paths to live out His plan for their lives, and will continue to be strong in the Lord.
the graduating seniors from the HERC Passport classes, that they can adjust to college life, and that God will provide supporting friends and family to walk alongside them for their college years.

Clarence McGregor asks for prayer for his adult son, Melvin, who still needs a job. Pray that the obstacles would be removed and Melvin would find the Lord's provision for this need. Also, pray for a family member named Krista who needs the Lord's power, grace and deliverance during a difficult time in her life. God knows her needs.

We praise the Lord for the Park Street Church's Thursday night outreach group serving people on Boston Common who are homeless. Pray that God will continue to bless and guide them as they build relationships both within the group and with the people they are getting to know and love on the streets.

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APRIL 2007

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you for praying for the staff and ministries of the Emmanuel Gospel Center.

Last month, on March 24, the Center celebrated our annual dinner. Our theme was, “Joined and Held Together” from Ephesians 4:16. Rev. Ray Hammond spoke eloquently about our need for one another and about how the Lord’s work is done only as we work together. (You can view Rev. Hammond’s talk here -- click to open .wmv video file.)

I truly believe that your prayers empower our work and the work of the Lord in the city more than any of us will ever truly understand. So please keep praying!

With much appreciation,

Jeffrey Bass
Executive Director

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Prayer needs for April 2007

From Ralph Kee: Whole new neighborhoods are to be built in Boston in the months and years immediately ahead; the expansive waterfront properties being perhaps the most noteworthy. Will space be set aside to house resident Christian communities of faith (i.e., local churches) in these emerging neighborhoods? We know that is what God wants. Pray that God will raise up the human agency to make it happen.

From Michele Mitsumori: Let’s pray that we can find the senior financial consultant volunteer for EGC whose job description we’d shared earlier. This person would be a wonderful blessing to Jeff Bass and the finance team. (And if you know of anyone, I’d be happy to send the job description to you!)

From Judy Hall: Pray for EGC folks who are involved in teaching classes for Gordon-Conwell’s extension seminaries in Boston and Springfield (CUME) this semester: Gregg Detwiler, Michele Mitsumori, Jeff Bass, Ralph Kee, Rudy and Sara Mitchell, Soliny Védrine and Doug and me, that we can communicate clearly and challenge students appropriately. And pray for the students as they work on final projects that they may learn what they need to learn in order to minister more effectively.

From Brian Gearin: Pray for a new economic development program we are starting up in Lawrence, teaching financial literacy to teenagers through the Lawrence Higher Education Resource Center (HERC).

Also, please remember these needs:

Pray for Boston and the recent violence in the city. Pray that all of us ministering in the city would be seeking Christ as the Head of the church to know how to serve people and speak and act in ways that draw people to him. Pray for God’s perspectives on the issues, that people will seek and address causes as well as symptoms.

Pray for Gregg Detwiler as he plans for the Intercultural Leaders Conference in the fall, by talking with leaders and church members now about how God is working through all parts of his Body. We will seek to dialog among intercultural church leaders throughout New England.

Pray for the City Impact Roundtable, taking place in El Paso, Texas, later this month. Jeff Bass, Nika Elugardo, Elijah Kim, Gregg Detwiler and Bobby Bose will be going from EGC. Pray for them as they listen to what God is doing in other cities and share what God is doing in Boston and New England. Pray for the connections made at this conference, that God will be glorified.

Pray for Phil Hou who is traveling for the next couple weeks to Taiwan and China. Pray for his safety, rest, and for the Lord’s provision for all his needs as he travels.

Thank you for your partnership with us!

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JANUARY 2007

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you for praying for the staff and ministry of the Emmanuel Gospel Center, for the work of the church, for the city and beyond. I appreciate your prayers for the specific requests and staff members listed below. More generally, I ask that you pray for wisdom.

The Lord promises to give us wisdom if we ask, so it’s a good prayer. And we certainly need wisdom. Pray that leaders will make wise choices. Pray that we all will know where to put our time, energy (and prayers) among so many choices: family, friends, church; local, national and international issues; urban violence, poverty, the environment; God’s heart for the poor, the foreigner, the lost. It seems like wisdom is a good thing to pray for as we start a new year.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5.

Thanks,

Jeff Bass
Executive Director

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Requests for January 2007

Gregg Detwiler asks for prayer for wisdom as planning is getting underway for the Boston’s Book of Acts II Consultation to be held in Fall 2007. He also asks for prayer for God’s provision for additional Intercultural Ministries interns and staff to join the team in the coming year.

Ramesh and Sheba Telore ask for prayer for their upcoming trip to India. They hope to leave on January 25 to meet with the economic development partners in India. Please pray for their passports to arrive, for ease getting visas, and for general health, good travel, and continuation of relationships in India.

Former staff member, Eduardo Maynard, went to be with the Lord on December 29. Eddie worked on many fronts for the growth of the Kingdom of God here in Greater Boston as well as in Puerto Rico. He will be missed by many, including his friends and family here in Boston, and many people who have worked with him over the years. His niece, Angie Wilshire, is currently on staff at EGC. Please remember to pray for the Maynard and Wilshire families as they grieve their loss.

Pastor Clarence McGregor asks for prayer for his health. He also asks that we pray for his wife, Robin, as she starts up a daycare center in their home.

Pray for Elijah Kim who is fasting during January and into February for revival in New England. Elijah has commitments from over a thousand people on the West Coast who are praying with him during this time. Remember also to pray for Bishop Gilbert Thompson and Rev. Dr. Roberto Miranda, Christian leaders in Boston who are fasting with him. (Elijah has posted some video updates at praytv.org.)

Pray for Doug and Judy Hall and Steve Daman as they continue to work on their book. They now have February 9 as a goal for a completed draft. This date corresponds with the end of Elijah Kim’s 40-day prayer fast for revival.

PoSan Ung, Minister-at-large to the Cambodian community writes: Praise God for the 15% of fundraising support for my work that has been raised, but please pray that more people will be aware of this wonderful investment to serve Christ’s church among over 65,000 Cambodians in the Greater Boston area. Praise God for a successful two week mission trip to Cambodia for the training of national pastors last month. Our church leaders gathering here in New England are encouraged by the presence of new friends from Grace Chapel, one of our ministry partners. Pray with us that renewed partnerships among passionate and committed friends can develop so that we can see the greatest effort to impact this sizeable Cambodian-American community with the real peace and hope in Jesus Christ. We are planning for an energized joint Easter Celebration and an outreach through Vacation Bible School this summer. Please pray that God will bring good partnerships to help with this effort to evangelize. Our next church leaders gathering takes place in Lowell on January 20. All are welcome.

Wayne and Lori Earl, EGC missionaries in Marseille, have been in our prayers as their daughter Esther was recently diagnosed with cancer. They write on Sunday, January 7:

Just a note to update you as to Esther’s treatment scheduled for this week. She’ll be in the hospital Monday and Tuesday for medicine injections and stay overnight (with mom) Wednesday and Thursday. The radiotherapy treatment will specifically attack the cancer cells in her neck and lungs, and should be much less traumatic for Esther than chemotherapy. Thank you for all your prayers! We have all felt encouraged knowing so many are remembering us and praying. We had a wonderful Christmas with our kids and with Lori’s folks. Esther has been amazing. She has been tired but otherwise she continues to be her cheerful, positive self. We are so grateful for her kind and gentle spirit and a faith in the absolute goodness of God that is amazing! The medical staff here are optimistic that she’ll soon be cancer free and it is quite possible that she will not even need to do subsequent treatments (the next one would be in April or May). As we enter the new year we have much for which to give thanks.

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