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r Jerusalem
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers regarding our visa—praise the Lord, we’ve been approved! I also ask for your continued prayers, as I’ve been asked to pastor a church in the very city where we are serving. This will be my first pastorate, and I find myself both nervous and excited.
Though I was sent out by my home church as a missionary to preach the Gospel in the Middle East, I always knew this day might come—whether through planting a church or stepping into the leadership of an existing one. I’ve long sensed that the Lord might one day use me in the role of a pastor; yet, out of deep reverence for the office, I hesitated to pursue it myself.
Now, by God’s providence, that day has come. If all goes according to plan, I will become the pastor here by next month. I feel the same desperate cry Solomon had toward God, but on a much smaller scale: God give me wisdom!
Our Judea
In my last prayer letter, I asked you to pray for the healing of a shopkeeper’s son who lives in a nearby city. God graciously answered your prayers and miraculously healed the boy. However, as is often the case, Satan is working to twist this miracle into fuel for superstition.
Just as in Jesus’ day, when many were healed but few gave glory to God, so it is here. Rather than giving thanks to the Lord, the shopkeeper tells others that he knows someone who can “take something dying and give it life again.” It reminds me of when the Gentiles tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods after witnessing a miracle (Acts 14:11–15). Sadly, some are now treating my friend as though he possesses healing power, rather than recognizing the true Healer.
Ironically, this superstition has resulted in a house full of thriving plants, as another shopkeeper brought all his withered ones to my friend, expecting them to revive in his care! While the situation is sobering, it also presents an open door for the Gospel. Lord willing, I will soon travel with this same friend to the region, where the Apostle Paul grew up, to boldly preach Christ there.
Our Samaria
Near the ancient site of Colossae, a Persian church is gathering and growing in the midst of hardship. This congregation belongs to a people group that is largely unwanted in the region, and they are currently facing persecution from local authorities.
Recently, a complaint led to police intervention, and their services have been suspended until additional paperwork is submitted. We are praying fervently for God’s wisdom, favor, and direction for this faithful body of believers. Please join us in lifting them up during this critical time.
Our Uttermost Part of the Earth
The website www.studythewordinternational.org has received major updates, including a new promotional video and a fully operational resource-management system for all translated materials.
We are excited to announce that missionaries anywhere in the world can now begin submitting translation requests through our interactive global map. With over 195 countries and 150 languages available, a missionary simply selects their country, language, and Bible college material and then submits a request.
Here’s how the process works:
1. Prayer Team – Each request is received by our prayer team. If we don’t already have translators for the language, we begin searching for at least two like-minded believers who can join our translation efforts for the requested material.
2. AI Team – Once translators are identified, our AI team generates a draft translation, replaces all Scripture references with the correct Bible version for that language, and adjusts formatting as needed.
3. Human Translators – The draft is reviewed and revised by our human translator team for theological and linguistic accuracy.
4. Formatting Team – The document is then reconstructed with proper formatting in the target language.
5. Proofreading Team – After a final review, the document is approved and published.
6. Distribution – Everyone on the waiting list receives a notification that the document is ready for download.
All materials are provided free of charge to missionaries—but the work itself comes at a cost. Praise God, He has already provided the funds needed to complete some Bible college courses in various languages. For those who feel led to invest in this ministry, we have made it simple to donate online. Every contribution goes directly toward translating and distributing sound Biblical education around the world.
Missionary #6506
