To All Baptist Pastors and Leaders in Nsw and Act

TO ALL BAPTIST PASTORS AND LEADERS IN NSW AND ACT.

Please copy this prayer information to others who may be interested to pray. It is designed for inclusion in your church bulletin and could be part of your cell group prayer ministry, as well as being used in private devotions.

The prayer information should reach you at the end of each month, so that it is available to be used by the beginning of the next month.

TOGETHER IN PRAYER – AUGUST 2010

From Psalm 143 v 8,10 Direction

Let me hear Your loving kindness in the morning; for I trust in You; teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul.

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

President of the Union – Dr Alan Rice

Continue to pray for our leaders at Commonwealth and State level, and for God’s guidance as we, the people make a decision on the Federal Government for the next three years. Pray for our leaders that they will be wise and just and will serve the people with integrity, compassion, love and respect, aware of their responsibilities to this nation and to the global community as well as to God.

The Baptist Convention will be held in September, 17th and 18th at the GymeaBaptistChurch. This is an important time for decision-making, inspiration and fellowship. Pray for the work of our Baptist Churches as we discuss the business papers as well as our future directions and priorities as an Association of Churches. Pray that as we discuss the ideas generated from the Taskforce recommendations that we will be prepared to act courageously and together in shaping the shared future of Baptist Churches in NSW and the ACT.

Give thanks for the dedication and leadership of the Boards and staff at the Baptist campsite at Elim (Forster). Kiah Ridge (Tahmoor) and Ridgecrest (Burrendong Dam). Pray for the special camps into the spring and summer, organized for young people and for church groups. Pray that the good news about Jesus and the great fellowship shared together will bring young people into a closer relationship with God.

We share in the joy of the Bowral congregation in the opening of the new Church building at Bowral and pray for Pastor Marcus Wright, the deacons, elders and members as they begin to implement the God inspired vision for worship, outreach and service within the wider community.

In August we will share in worship with the Concord Baptist Church as the past and present members and friends celebrate a centenary of ministry in that community, the Glenbrook Baptist Church on the induction of Matt Lucas as Pastor, the Liverpool Vietnamese Fellowship, with North Coast churches at the Northern Rivers Baptist Convention and with the Burmese Baptist Church. Meetings abound but each is important in the leadership and management of our agencies. The Executive meets early in the month whilst there will be meetings of the BCS Board, Bedford Board, the GIA Council, the Morling College Academic Board and the Morling College Council as well as the Social Issues Committee.

Secretary of the Union – Alan Soden

Pray for the Executive Committee – for wisdom as it wrestles with emergent issues –for patience as it deals with routine administration – for grace and sensitivity as it seeks to address people’s concerns – and all this in an environment of uncertainty created by a time of increased change.
Pray for the team at the Baptist ministry Centre and the faithful members of BUNSW councils – for their health and wellbeing of their families
Pray for those who have been hurt by the ambiguities in the Directions2012 Reports and any perceptions that they haven’t been doing a good job. Pray that they will receive a word of encouragement at the right time.
Pray for the upcoming Convention and Assembly AGM on 17 and 18 September. Pray that it will be a positive time as we look forward to the recommencement of Revive in 2011.
Pray that people will have the opportunity, and be willing, to contribute their thinking about Directions2012.
Pray for all those who are preparing reports and papers relating to the AGM, that the material will be accurate, helpful and provided in time for people to digest

Revive – Neil Dawson

Praise God that a new more suitable venue has been found for 2011 Revive –at Olympic Park.
Pray for the organising team as they prepare for this event and that all Baptist churches and pastors will support and plan to attend.

Baptist Community Services (BCS) Victoria Small

Ministry Support and Development (MSD) – Ros Allibone for Ken Clendinning

Thanks to God for a very worthwhile time with 15 persons attending the Recognised Ministers Course, 19-23 July.
Prayer for the processes to begin shortly to interview those seeking to become accreditation candidates.
Pray for the Committee for Ministry who will interview the accreditation candidates over five Saturdays from September to December.
For the Ethnic Churches Youth Celebration at LidcombeBaptistChurch on Friday 13th August.
For The Cross Cultural team Paul Mosiejczuk, Stephen Li & Frank Farag.
For Carolyn Altman as she holds the fort when Pete Davies is away on leave.
For the next step in the 1,000 hours of prayer (Stay Tuned!)
For the Foundations for Coaching & Mentoring Training day to be held at MetfordCommunityBaptistChurch on Saturday 14 August (for more info go to ).
Pray for Regional meetings with pastors in August at Ballina in the Northern Rivers and Orange in the Central West.
Wisdom in working with churches seeking interim pastors and intentional interim ministers.
Pray for the continued health, stamina and safety of the MSD Team with their busy schedules and travelling during the winter months.
Please continue to pray for wisdom with pastoral placements and for churches that are experiencing pain because of conflict.

Baptist World Aid Australia – Scott Higgins

Pray for our new CEO, John Hickey, who commenced with BWAA mid July. Pray for John to settle in quickly, to gain a strong understanding of the organisation, and the sector, and to lead wisely.
Pray for outgoing CEO, Les Fussell. Give thanks for Les’s leadership over the last 10years and for a great adjustment to a new stage of life.
Pray for our Programs team who are recruiting some key staff members and restructuring to be better placed for the challenges of the future.
Pray for the success of SAO Sunday in September –that churches will be motivated to take up and use the resource kit that will help them focus on and respond to child poverty. Pray that we will reach our target of sponsoring 500 more children.
Pray that the leaders of the ALP and the Coalition will respond positively to calls from churches and others to announce a timetable for Australia to reach the international aid target of providing 0.7% of national income in well managed and well targeted aid.
Pray for BWA’s partner, Freeset, that operates a social enterprise making jute bags and Fairtrade T-shirts in a red light district in Kolkata, India. This enables women, many of whom have been trafficked into the sex industry, to leave prostitution and start rebuilding their lives. Pray for more markets for their jute bags and T-shirts, which will enable them to provide jobs for more women. Freeset staff are in Australia over the next few months sharing about their work.

Baptist Youth/ Young Adults Ministry (MSD) Lisa Warner for Andrew Palmer

Give praise for God’s incredible faithfulness to His people
Praise god for the hundreds of passionate and servant hearted youth leaders and pastors across NSW and ACT who serve young people week in and week out.
Praise God for a very successful EPIC Snow Safari: lots of connections with young people and opportunity to explore further relationship with Jesus.
August is the middle of the ‘flu season. Please pray for vitality for Andrew, Lisa, John and Shane (and their families) to continue to run the race set before us.
Please pray for team health and harmony as we seek to serve our Churches in youth ministry.
Please pray for the financial means to continue providing quality training and support services to our Churches
Pray for the Rural Worship Ministries Team as they minister around NSW and ACT – particularly for their next trip to Wellington (20 – 22 August). Pray for safety as they travel and for God’s grace and power as they perform and share the gospel with youth.
Please pray for Pastor John Lewis and the Synergy Youth Ministry Training programme as he trains pastors and leaders across NSW and ACT. The next training day is at Green Point on 7 August.
For the Plunge (BYM and Morling College Gap Year Programme) students as they begin 2nd semester – for health and determination to work hard
The Plunge students head to Cambodia on short term mission on August 31 – September 15. Please pray for physical and spiritual health through the trip, and for eyes to see the amazing things that God is doing cross-culturally.

Children and Family Ministry & SRE (MSD) - Sally Smith

The main thrust at present is training and equipping of our 1000+ SRE teachers who are in schools sharing Jesus every week of the school year. Pray for these teachers and the children they teach. Pray that teachers will reflect the gospel in all that they do and that parents and schools will see the benefits of SRE.
Pray that in the light of the evaluation of the ethics trial SRE will be strengthened.
Give thanks for strengthened cooperation between SRE providers. Pray that shared training resources will become a reality.
Pray for SRE coordinators and especially for those who are both SRE coordinators and P&C Presidents.

GodSpace (MSD) - Cheryl Clendinning

The main thrust at present is training and equipping of our 1000+ SRE teachers who are in schools sharing Jesus every week of the school year. Pray for these teachers and the children they teach. Pray that teachers will reflect the gospel in all that they do and that parents and schools will see the benefits of SRE.
Pray that in the light of the evaluation of the ethics trial SRE will be strengthened.
Give thanks for strengthened cooperation between SRE providers. Pray that shared training resources will become a reality.
Pray for SRE coordinators and especially for those who are both SRE coordinators and P&C Presidents.

Playtime - Yvette Wynne

Thanks God for placing me at Baptist Union, doing Playtimes, I am lovin' it !
Pray for the Playtime leaders around the state, that they be supported and encouraged - especially to be encouraged to ask their community parents about where they are at with God. That there will be lots of God conversations around the state.
For the upcoming equipping day with Brian Winslade on September 11, that people will be empowered and faith increased to start some spiritual conversations with their community parents.
For the organisation of the Outreach day on September 15, that everything will run smoothly, and the children will be safe. That hearts will be opened to hear about Jesus!!
We are looking at the venue for Revive 2011, pray that it will be great for another giant playtime day outing.
Thanks so much for praying, I had contact last week with a lovely lady from MorlingCollege who told me that they faithfully prayed for us! Thanks so much and I pray that God would bless you and encourage you as you have blessed us by your steadfast faith in Him who is our Hope and our Joy!! Love you stacks already, Vetti xx

Women to Women (MSD) – Sue Cossgrove

Praise God for the women who are taking on new leadership positions and for those who serve as the regional representative contacts and those who are on other organizations as our representatives.
Praise that more of the churches women are connecting with Women to Women.
For the blessing that Joyce Rice has been during her role as President’s wife to our leadership and the churches.
Pray for Glenys White and Joy Arnold at the Baptist World Convention in Hawaii and for the discussion and assessment of the Baptist Women of South West Pacific regions ministry. Pray the results will produce a more effective and connected ministry.
Pray for our Time Out at Elim in August. Pray that the women will become encouraged, equipped and empowered as the share from God’s Word, the workshops and each other as they try to put their “Life In Balance”.
Pray for the leadership as we seek God’s guidance in our new positions and for the future of our ministries in the state.

Global Interaction –Julie Ann Warton

Rob Ellis has concluding his role as Director with Global Interaction NSW/ACT at the end of July. Please pray for Jim Kime as he takes on the Interim Director’s role along with the Global Interaction office team as they navigate this transition together.
Please pray for God’s provision of a new Director, particularly for the Selection Committee as they work through the process and seek God’s appointment.
Give thanks for the time which Jonno & Heather Crane (Mozambique) and Pip (Cambodia) have had in Australia to connect with churches and groups. Please continue to pray for them as they have returned to the field for their next term of service.
Please pray for Ruth serving in Central Asia. Give thanks for an excellent semester of teaching and time of summer holidays. Pray for Ruth as she has needed to farewell some team members and neighbours and as she prepares for a new semester and making new friendships and connections.
Pray for Sunny Mak who will be in Hong Kong to teach at the Baptist Seminary this semester. Pray for Yee and their children Ivan & Alyssa while Sunny is away.
Pray for Lyn Morris, who will be returning to Chiang Mai to pack up through August to October, and for their sons who will be coming at different times to support Lyn physically and emotionally through this time. Continue to pray for Lee, for the doctors discernment on what is next and as he will remain in Australia recovering from treatments.
Pray for Richard & Ira serving in South East Asia. Give thanks that their friendships are deepening but pray for wisdom so that they know how to respond to thought provoking questions, so that their replies are led by the Holy Spirit and God’s name will be glorified in the lives of the people that they are working with.
Pray for Tobias and Heather Houston and their young son Elijah as they prepare for service in Mozambique. Pray for them as they begin their Portuguese tutoring as part of their preparations as well as decisions regarding further study. Pray for spiritual strength and protection during this time of preparations.