Monthly Archives: March 2014

AAEO

Lucas Aube

Montreal, Quebec

CANADA

Sometimes God calls people to faraway places to serve Him. In Lucas Aube’s case, God called him “home.” After two overseas mission trips, Lucas was struck by the vast lostness in the world, and more specifically, the vast lostness in Quebec, where less than 1 percent are evangelical Christians. As a fellow Québécois, Lucas understands the language and culture in ways outsiders often cannot. Through his ministry as collegiate minister at Bishops University and Champlain College and church planter of Encounter Church, Lucas is sowing seeds of the gospel among one of the most unreached people groups in North America.

Learn more about Lucas at anniearmstrong.com/lucasaube.

PRAY

› For the salvation of the many students who interact with Encounter Church on a regular basis through weekly outreach dinners.

 

› For the Encounter team to be the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading seeds of the gospel all over the campus and their city.

AAEO

Andrew Mann

Bronx, New York

NORTHEAST

Raised  in  a  Southern  Baptist  church, Andrew Mann had his first taste of missions serving   with   fellow   NAMB   missionary Taylor Field at East 7th Baptist Church in New York City. Burdened by the number of at-risk children in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx, Andrew became church planter and executive director of Graffiti 2 Church and Community Ministries. Graffiti’s goal is to revitalize, revive and revolutionize Mott Haven by enabling individuals to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually so that they may become servant-leaders. Through ministries such as after-school and summer programs, family  advocacy   and   special  events, Andrew is spreading seeds of the gospel and mentoring future missionaries.

Learn more about Andrew at anniearmstrong.com/andrewmann.

PRAY

› Wisdom for the Graffiti 2 staff as they interact, lead and counsel children, teens and adults who face difficult circumstances in the Mott Haven neighborhood.

› For Graffiti 2 Church as they take steps to begin like-minded ministries and churches in the Bronx and across the country.

Announcement

Firmly-Planted-full-logo_small

WEEK OF PRAYER

March 2nd – 9th

Please take time to hear the stories of people who are serving as your missionaries in our country and Canada. Once hearing them, pray that they will continued to be used for God purpose and glory.

Meet Our Missionaries

Sunday, March 2nd: Scott and Karen Blanchard

Monday, March 3rd: Ara and Anet Torosian

Tuesday, March 4th: Patrick and Archalena Coats

Wednesday, March 5th: Andrew Mann

Thursday, March 6th: Lucas Aube

Friday, March 7th: Jose and Mayra Nater

Saturday, March 8th: Growing the Next Generation of Missionaries

Sunday, March 9th: Sowing Seeds in Your Backyard and Beyond

 

Sermon Connection

 

 

WORK: WHAT A BLESSING!

Outlook Is More than A Microsoft Program

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 (HCSB)

A person’s outlook is nothing more than an attitude. All of us have them and they affect, for better or worse, everything we do. It just makes sense that we have an outlook that will help us make the most of life. We spend, depending on the number of jobs and overtime, somewhere between 25 – 33% of our life working. It is a tragedy that so many people wait until the weekend to start enjoying life. So many people think, “If I just hit the jackpot, I will be able to enjoy life!” See if you relate to this story:

“A family in Lander, Wyoming went to their local refuse dump to dispose of some unwanted family items that were either busted or greatly abused. As they were emptying there junk into a large dumpster, the man of the home saw something that caught his eye. It was apparently an ornate, antique four-poster bed that had been left there by some other family.

The man called to his wife to have her to look at it as well. After a few moments of discussion they both agreed that it most likely could be stored to its original condition. So, even though it was a bit worn and tattered, they began to inquire about that possibility with the management staff of the refuse center. They found that there was no problem with taking the grand piece of junk home if they would just pay a small fee of a few dollars.

They proceeded to load the headboard, footboard and the wooden rails into the back of their pickup and pull-along trailer. As they were loading the post, which were separate pieces, they began to question the weight of each one. The husband felt they were quite a bit heavier than he had imagined they would be. But they finally got all the pieces loaded and drove home.

When they got home, the husband backed the truck and trailer into his driveway with the assistance of his wife and eldest son. They then proceeded to unload the bed one piece at a time. To their amazement, as their son picked up one end of the first bed-post, the finial at the top worked loose and slipped out of its socket. Thankfully they were standing in the front yard and a nearby hedge broke the fall, catching the post. But suddenly they heard the weirdest noise.

As they turned to look toward the area of the noise, something caught the glimpse of the father’s eye. A few silver coin tumbled to the ground near the base of the bush. After picking up the loose coins he looked in the opened end of the bed-post and to his surprise there were more silver coins inside. With the help of his son, he picked up the opposing end and hundreds of silver, brass and gold coins came rolling out onto the lawn. Many of the gold ones dated back into the 1800’s and almost all of the coins were near mint condition. After close inspection of the other three posts, they, too, were completely hollow and contained equal amounts of coinage.”

They Hit the Jackpot! Statistically, you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning, but what would change in your daily routine if you suddenly “Hit the Jackpot”? If you are waiting for money to really live, than you are wasting the most precious gift of all – LIFE!

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for this marvelous, precious gift of life. Help me to appreciate every minute of it.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

AAEO


“Then He told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Consider the sower who went out to sow. As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop: some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown. Anyone who has ears should listen!’ …‘You, then, listen to the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times what was sown’”
(Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23, HSCB)

FIRMLY PLANTED

ROOTED IN THE GOSPEL

The sower generously and intentionally spread seed upon many types of soil, with mixed results. Yet his focus and purpose was to spread the seed everywhere, not just choose the most fertile soil. North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionaries are just like this sower—they are focused on sharing the gospel with all people, remaining steadfast in their commitment to sow the gospel despite the challenges and risks. They are motivated by a passion to bring people to Christ and to see churches and individuals bear fruit and multiply. They are confident in their faith, bold in their witness and dependent on our prayers and support to encourage and motivate them each day.

1 2 3 4 5