News & Prayer Items

God protected Rainer and his group of special needs people all the way through the Hamburg Harbor Fest and even in the midst of 1,500,000 people, no one went missing. Rainer Ehmann, National Ministry Partner with Encompass works in disciple making and church planting in Stuttgart, Germany.

Pastor Aafiya, a former M*sl*m and graduate from the Bible Institute, ministers among the Fulani and pastors a church in a small town (190 km from Bangui). He shared his testimony of God's grace in his life yesterday demonstrating the power of your prayers.

He rode his motorcycle to a pastor's meeting in a nearby village. While traveling back to his church, he was stopped by a group of Seleka rebels who blocked the road with their vehicle. They brought him to their Colonel who began asking questions. When they heard his name and his title as a pastor, they were very angry with him. The Colonel said that a M*sl*m who resigned from his faith must be put in death. He said to him three times: "There is no question, you must be put to death because you have denied your faith."

You prayed . . .

May 8th was designated a “Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in the CAR.”  Many Christians around the world participated in this special time of focused prayer for the needs of that great country.  Thank you so much for joining with us on this special day.

Congratulations to France Encompass staff Mark Sims who was presented as a doctor of Ministry candidate today, May 11th in Grace Theological Seminary and Grace College Commencement exercises. His dissertation concerned training to inculcate a Biblical worldview: A Biblical Theological Approach for Central Africa. Thank you, Mark, for your pursuit of this subject and may it prove to lead to greater fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Patty Morris writes that on May 26th the Lyon church will hold its annual African church service and meal. The service is always quite animated with a choir made up of the African believers (from several countries). Of course the food and fellowship are great! Do continue to pray for peace and stability in the Central African Republic. Several members in our churches in France have family members there and it is difficult to know how to best help at a
distance.

The two elders, Marco and Cesar, of the new COCrisur church in Mexico City are learning their new pastoral roles. As they led the first three-fold communion on Easter Sunday there was almost an electric atmosphere of love and anticipation.

The COCRIsur church plant has been meeting temporarily in Brenda and Bess's apartment with about 20-25 people in attendance. With their departure on May 13th for a three month stay in the States, the group will no longer be able to meet there.

Thank you for setting aside a day for prayer and intercession for the Central African Republic. We have received several notes of thanks including this one from the Hibailes in Bangui:

On behalf of the people of CAR, my family thank you all for taking your time to intercede for the country during this time of unrest due to the political crisis. Your prayers will be answered by our heavenly Father who hear prayers. My family who is staying at the Encompass mission's compound after the missionnaries have left the country is safe and protected. Because of your prayer support we feel encouraged in this time of tribulation. Please continue until we can have peace and security throughout the country.

In His wonderful name,
Augustin and Marie Helene Hibaile

Encompass World Parters invites Christians around the world to join in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in the CAR on May 8th, 2013.

A list of prayer requests and praises is available here. [updated on May 7]

For tips on how to participate in a day of prayer; even during the work day, with children, or for an entire day; download this doccument.

Kent & Becky Good write concerning the death today of Ry Samaria, the 2-year old son of CMP Ry Saran and Ngin Sophanet. "Samaria was healthy yesterday but had a high fever when he awakened this morning. Then, what should have been a routine visit to a doctor close to their home turned into tragedy when Samaria had a reaction to an injection received there and died on the way to the hospital. He celebrated his second birthday yesterday."