DURBAN URBAN EVANGELISM TEAM
Serving in Durban, South Africa
(As you pray, remember that South Africa is 7 to 10 time zones (hours) ahead of those of you who are in the United States, so you may need to adjust the time you pray for each of these requests accordingly. For example, when those of you who are starting your day in the U.S., it is mid to late afternoon here.)
Thursday, January 1: Happy New Year! Pray that 2009 will be the year when God’s Kingdom comes to South Africa in a refreshing way. Ask the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts and lives of many and draw them to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Pray that members of the DUETeam will be obedient to share the gospel at each opportunity.
Friday, January 2: Today is Vel and Adney Cross’s son, Adney IV’s, 33rd birthday. Happy Birthday Adney! Pray for Adney as he serves as a computer technician in Baltimore, Maryland.
Saturday, January 3: Roger and Meg Hesch will travel seven hours to Kenosha, Wisconsin this weekend to share God’s kingdom work with Park Baptist Church and seven hours back to Minneapolis. Please ask God for good weather and safety in travel, and good connections with believers in Kenosha.
Sunday, January 4: W. will be preaching at Umhlanga Rocks Baptist Church today as well as next Sunday. Ask for wisdom as W. shares God’s Word. Pray for this congregation to grow in their commitment to missions and outreach to Muslims.
Monday, January 5: Roger Hesch’s mother turned 86 in December. She has not been well for the past year. Join the Hesches in thanking God for His sovereignty in leading them to plan their stateside assignment during this critical year in her life. It is good to be nearby to help Roger’s sisters with her care!
Tuesday, January 6: J. asks prayer for the salvation of his brother, Jerry, and his family. Pray also that J. and J.’s daughter, Angela, and her family will come to know the truth of who the Lord Jesus is.
Wednesday, January 7: DUETeam members are currently working on reports, as well as goals/action plans/budgets for 2010. Pray for wisdom to complete each of these required tasks in a timely manner and with a vision of how God is at work in our assigned communities.
Thursday, January 8: Team members J. and J. will soon be transferring to the West Gautang Team in Johannesburg. Pray for them as they see our Father open up new doors of ministry for His Glory.
Friday, January 9: Pray that Westville Baptist Church will be able to fulfill its goal of starting many new evangelistic small groups in this new year.
Saturday, January 10: J. and J. ask that you pray for the new church start in Verulam that God will call out one of the group to lead this new congregation.
Sunday, January 11: Bill Bowers will be preaching at Gethsemane Baptist Church this morning. Carol will be introducing Friends of Jesus materials to the children’s workers. Pray for receptive hearts to the Word and to evangelistic outreach to the children of the community.
Monday, January 12: Praise God that MK Jared Hesch got a job as a clerk in a retail clothing store for the holidays. He is learning what it means to be an employee. Please ask that God help Jared learn to be teachable and observant as he tries his wings in new skill areas. Ask that he will learn more about his likes and dislikes, and gain insights into potential career opportunities through his work experience.
Tuesday, January 13: Bill and Carol Bowers are entertaining a pastor and his wife for lunch today. Pray for open communication and opportunities to partner with this man’s congregation in the coming year to reach the unreached.
Wednesday, January 14: Pray for Z. and S., a Muslim couple that W. and S. are getting to know well and who seem open to discuss spiritual matters. Pray that all barriers to the gospel would be broken in their lives and that they would be receptive to the gospel message.
Thursday, January 15: Pray for pastors who are launching their vision for 2009. Ask that they will seek the Father’s guidance in all facets of their ministry. Pray that their congregations will be open to following the leadership God has provided for them.
Friday, January 16: MK Jared Hesch completes his first semester and transitions into the second semester of his senior year of high school today. Join his folks in thanking God for his progress this year. Ask that Jared will receive grace to persevere in his studies to finish the year well. May God grant this special MK a vision for his future.
Saturday, January 17: Pray for U., a Muslim businessman who recently asked for a New Testament. Pray that he would read the New Testament in search of truth, not in order to find fault. Pray that he and W. would have productive discussions that would lead to U.’s salvation.
Sunday, January 18: Bill Bowers is preaching today at Tongaat Baptist Church (Baptist Union), a new mission church. Pray that the members of this church will heed the call to participate in mission activities to promote the cause of Christ.
Monday, January 19: As the Hesches continue to book speaking engagements with churches around Minnesota and Wisconsin, ask for Holy Spirit leadership to the right places and dates. The winter months are especially challenging as heavy snowstorms and dangerous winds can make travel, even locally, hazardous. Winter can last as late as May there.
Tuesday, January 20: 2010 budgets are due today. Pray for God’s leadership and for wisdom for the leaders who will deal with them now.
Wednesday, January 21: The 2009 school term begins today. Pray that the quality of education received by the students all over South Africa will be high priority. Ask that the Education Department will be able to deliver what the children need.
Thursday, January 22: Pray that God would use W. and S.’s “Sharing the Message” seminar to encourage local believers to reach out to their Muslim friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
Friday, January 23: With school starting, church organizations (which closed at the end of November) will also be starting up for the new year: Sunday schools, cell groups, youth and children’s activities, etc. Pray that the enthusiasm that comes with these new groups starting will reach out to ones who have never participated before and draw them into meaningful Bible studies.
Saturday, January 24: Committees and the executive of the Baptist Mission of South Africa (Indian Association) will be meeting throughout the coming week to finalize plans for 2009. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to them the way forward to promote the cause of Christ throughout their targeted communities.
Sunday, January 25: Pinetown Baptist Church mission committee meets today. Pray that the members will have a vision of how God wants them to reach out to others in 2009. Ask God to give them wisdom as they prepare for an Evangelistic Block Party in their community on May 30.
Monday, January 26: J. and J. ask that you continue to pray for their grandson Austin and his wife, Emily, as God continues to heal the marriage problems and put them back together for His glory.
Tuesday, January 27: Pray the Lord would lead W. and S. to true persons of peace in the Durban Muslim community. Pray that he would enable them to develop more avenues of outreach.
Wednesday, January 28: Pray for Bill and Carol Bowers as they present opportunities for mission outreach to the local churches.
Thursday, January 29: J. asks continued prayer for his friend, Bill C., as he recuperates from triple by-pass surgery. Pray for his sons as they take over the responsibility of running his large dairy farm.
Friday, January 30: Pray for Vel and Adney Cross as they continue to be involved with the World Changers Academy, the new outreach in Inanda, and supporting local church ministries. Ask that they may balance their time wisely during their last six months of mission service before their retirement.
Saturday, January 31: DUETeam meets today to fellowship, pray together, and pursue business matters. Ask God to guide us each step of the way as we seek to promote the cause of Christ across our city day by day.
