Author: bbyrd

Pre-Field Orientation for Pathways interns takes place May 21-26 at Emerald Hills. Seventeen young adults and their families were welcomed last night by Team Expansion staff during an evening meal. Give thanks to God for providing His bounty for food, fellowship, safe travel to Louisville, KY, funding, and prayer partners to sustain the pathways interns and training partners who have coached online and in person. Pray that through their experience of serving overseas this summer, many people will be drawn to Christ in East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:8-9) Team Expansion is thankful for fellow workers through PACE projects in East Asia. PACE partners remain strong and committed to the task both in prayer and resources. Ask God to raise up such partners for taking the Gospel to more unreached people groups around world.

Praise God for an unusual partnership between Team Expansion medical workers and the government of their adopted East Asian country. This joint venture is to improve the health care of children in the entire country and have a Jesus influence at the top of levels of government. Ask God to start other teams in the area to reach the Cham and unreached Khmer peoples. Praise God for the testimony this has for the Gospel and for this great resource for establishing vital relationships in the province.

One Team Expansion field in East Asia uses an approach of Business as Mission. The business has developed well and is a major influence to the anti-Christian government that have asked them to help with government projects. This anti-Christian government has asked one of the owners to sit on a government board dedicated to the development of the country. Praise God for this divine appointed partnership. Ask God to orchestrate decisions that will improve development and to protect this owner in his Christ like witness. “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6)

“Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 58). Team Expansion workers in East Asia focus on church multiplication through medical ministry, discipling youth, and pastoral counseling, as well as reaching rural families outside their city through a school. Pray for workers to stand firm and let nothing move them from fully giving themselves to the work of the Lord. Pray for lasting fruit and abundant harvest in this field.

“You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it” (1 Corinthians 16:15-16).  Team Expansion workers, in partnership with Legacy Christian Church have launched a prayer initiative and are currently working to grow that media network. Praise God that this team in Africa have already seen significant growth by using Community Health Evangelism and ”3/3” disciple making model. They started with 13 groups, and 7 of those groups have reproduced for a total of 48 second generation groups. Pray for every household of the Zarma people to come out of Islam and into obedience to Christ, devoting themselves to the work of making disciples who make more disciples.

It takes teamwork to carry through great undertakings. Look at Nehemiah 4:16-17 where half of the men did the work of rebuilding the wall, while the other half were equipped for battle. There is collaboration growing between one worker in Africa, local pastors, and church leaders. Praise God there is now a team of national church leaders trained and using tools to make disciples who will make other disciples. Praise God that one local leader has started 3 simple churches with over 100 new converts. Most of this work is among the Dyula people group that are less than 2% Christian. Give thanks for this growing partnership that is making an eternal difference in the lives of the Dyula.

In his book, Peter tells us to not be surprised at painful trials, but to rejoice that we participate in the suffering of Christ, so that we may be overjoyed when God’s glory is revealed. One team is striving to make disciples who will make other disciples in a Muslim land. Ask God to raise up partners in the Gospel, teammates to come alongside these workers to encourage and help sustain through prayer and resources. Pray that Christ followers coming out of Islam persevere in persecution and rejoice in God’s glory.

Praise God for the PACE partnership between Northside Christian Church and Team Expansion for taking the Gospel to the peoples of West Africa. The team has used Community Health Evangelism, Community Development, Kairos, and Agriculture to focus on disciple making movements. Praise God for His movement and for outstanding results in at least 12 local tribal groups. Ask God to transform the simple church into fully functioning churches that maintain Biblical standards of doctrine, worship, and practice.

“As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ” (2 Corinthians 8:23). Praise God for a PACE lead church in Evansville, IN making an impact among Muslim peoples in North Africa. On behalf of Crossroads Christian Church, pray for renewed commitment and persevering prayer and intercession for the people of North Africa to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.