URGENT PRAYER

1. Chile

            You have no doubt heard of the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on Saturday, February 27. There is widespread destruction in Concepcion and many other parts of the country. Thousands are homeless and many hundreds have died. Please pray for the people of Chile and for Christians in Chile to arise and serve those who are suffering even as they share the hope of the Gospel with them.

            World MAP was scheduled to be in Chile for pastors’ conferences this fall, but plans are now on hold until we have more information from our contacts near Santiago. We thank the Lord that they are unharmed, and all the pastors in their network are safe as well. But there is much destruction in their homes and cities.

            We have not yet heard from the World MAP contact in Concepcion who helps us to distribute World MAP’s materials in Chile. Please be praying for all those who have been impacted by this devastating event, and for us to be sensitive to the Lord about how and when we can best serve the church leaders in Chile.

PRAISE THE LORD!

1. India – World MAP Spiritual Renewal Seminars

            The second of two World MAP seminars in Pune and Vijayawada, India has just concluded. Thank you for your prayer covering for these events; they were blessed and powerful times, mightily used by the Lord to equip and encourage more than 1,100 pastors. Frank Parrish reports that his concluding session on “Anointing” and the response of the pastors at the second seminar was one of the most powerful times he’s witnessed. God is truly preparing and equipping His leaders in India to fulfill His high calling!

            Each seminar participant also received their own copy of The Shepherd’s Staff which will provide them with Bible study and teaching materials for years to come. Thanks again for your prayers and support that make this effective work possible. You can read a full report on the India seminars in the Spring issue of World MAP DIGEST, or on our website in April (www.world-map.com).

2. Testimony

            We praise the Lord for the global impact God allows the ministry of World MAP. Enjoy this brief testimony from a church leader in Ghana: “I am very grateful to WMAP for the training received through Acts Magazine. These have lifted me to a greater height. I am not only evangelizing and preaching the word, but I now train workers like pastors and other church workers. Since 2005, I was made Dean of Studies at Word of Faith Theological School, Ashaiman Tema, Ghana. We graduated two batches of first-year students and a batch of second-year students. I have organized the school at Odumase Krobo and expect to graduate students the second time in October 2010. God bless World Map!” 

GLOBAL PRAYER FOCUS

1. Congo, Africa

            Violence continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the “Lord's Resistance Army” (LRA) forces more and more believers out of their homes. Missionary groups and other Christian workers are overwhelmed with victims of the latest outbreaks. Thousands of refugees need food, water, shelter and other necessities after being forced from their homes, while churches have been burned and pastors have been slain.

            Christians have lost everything, and most of these possessions will not be replaced as damage continues to add to the severity of ever-pressing poverty. Your prayers for the people of the DRC are coveted. Pray especially for the protection of the children, who are easy and regular targets for the LRA to abduct and force into servitude.

2. South Africa

            2010 is a significant year for South Africa, where the World Cup of football will take place in June and July. Millions of people will visit the country, and the attention of the world will be focused on this land. Even as they work to upgrade the roads, infrastructure and security, there are reports that many people are also realizing afresh the importance of a genuine relationship with God as revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ. A spectacular new stadium has been built to host the World Cup events. Local politicians are actually calling for the first major event in this newly-completed facility to be a community Day of Prayer and Repentance, tentatively scheduled in March.
            There is great anticipation among the believers in South Africa that God has positioned them to be part of His plan to impact the people of this generation with the transforming power of Jesus. Thank you for praying for the Church in South Africa to arise and use this open door of opportunity not only to reach their own country, but to touch the nations with the Gospel!

WORLD MAP PRAYER

1. The Shepherd’s Staff

            We’ve just received a request for 2,000 Hindi and 500 English Shepherd’s Staffs for the church leaders in a network of church plants in northern India. The contact reports, “It’s just amazing what God is doing among the least reached people of North India…God through The Shepherd’s Staff and other things has brought light…India is going to become the sending nation of the world if Christ tarries.”

            We are thrilled to supply this request. Please be praying for this shipment to arrive safely. We also ask for your prayers, that God would supply the resources for us to print an additional 5,000 Hindi Shepherd’s Staffs in order to replenish our inventory.

2. On The Way

            A large shipment of French Shepherd’s Staffs and “Action” (ACTS) magazines is en route to Benin and Mali. Also, 300 Shepherd’s Staffs have just been shipped to Mauritius to supply the pastors who will be attending a conference there in May. Thanks for covering these vital resources in prayer this month!

3. A Special Request

            Gayla Dease, the World MAP Publications Coordinator, writes: “World MAP gets many requests, some via regular mail and many more via the Internet now, from church leaders around the world seeking multiple copies of The Shepherd’s Staff for their training conferences and seminars. We consider each request carefully, and often research prior correspondence and documentation that includes photos of their church members and meetings. Please pray for guidance and wisdom as we prayerfully consider each request, as our goal is to provide The Shepherd’s Staff where it is most needed to train the local pastors – and, equally important, to ensure the wisest and most effective use of the resources our donors so generously supply.”

          Thank you for joining with World MAP in prayer again this month. We are grateful for you, and count it a privilege to partner with you in the work of ministry. Though the challenges of these times seem great, we know our God is greater! His plans and purposes will be fulfilled both for us and through us as we seek and follow Him with all of our heart.

            God bless you as you reach out in His name this month!