Mission & Mercy Ministry Update - 2024, Issue 10
Table of Contents
Prayer Focus: The 10/40 Window
Spotlight: Cars & Coffee: A Community Outreach
Mercy Highlight: Sewing & Craft Ministry Send Gifts to Asia Missions Conference
Mission Highlight: Monthly Prayer Walk
Opportunity: OCC Shoeboxes - Collecting October 27-November 24
Upcoming UBC Mission Trips: Planning for 2025
Prayer Focus
The 10/40 Window
This month our prayer focus missionally will be for the unreached people within the 10/40 Window. This is a rectangular geographic area that stretches from 10°N to 40°N latitude and includes areas of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia (Central, South, East, and Southeast). While the original list included countries that had at least 50% of their land mass within these boundaries, a revised list is now being used that includes several countries that are near this area but have a large number of unreached people groups (i.e. Indonesia) but also removes countries which have a large Christian population (i.e. Greece and South Korea).
The 10/40 Window includes the majority of the world’s Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. There is also a direct overlap between the 10/40 Window and the countries where Christian persecution is the most intense. According to the World Watch List, 47 out of the top 50 countries experiencing Christian persecution fall within this window.
There are several reasons why the 10/40 Window is of significance for followers of Jesus Christ.
The biblical and historical significance of this area. The Bible begins with God placing Adam and Eve in the heart of what is now the 10/40 Window. Man’s attempt to establish his own dominion through the building of the Tower of Babel (open defiance against God) also happened in this area. The result was the introduction of languages, scattering of the people, and the formation of nations.
It is home to the majority of the unevangelized countries. Within these countries, there is minimal knowledge of the gospel and no valid opportunity to respond to it. Of the current world population of 7.93 billion, approximately 5.37 billion live in this region. Further, 3.32 billion individuals (97% of the unreached population) are in approximately 5,979 unreached people groups (an unreached people group is one with <2% evangelical Christians and <5% who claim to be Christian). This means 29 out of every 30 unreached people are in the 10/40 Window! The 10/40 Window is also home to 98% of the frontier people group population (a frontier people group is one with <0.1% evangelical Christians and non known church planting movement within the people group).
It is home to the majority of the world’s poor. Of the world’s most impoverished, more than 8 out of 10 live within the 10/40 Window. On average, they exist on less than a few hundred dollars per person annually.
May we, the church, have both a missional and merciful heart for the 10/40 Window! Let us intentionally pray for the 10/40 Window this month. Below are some suggested prayers.
Prayers
Pray for a spiritual breakthrough in the 10/40 Window. That many will come to faith in Christ. Pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, softening hearts, opening eyes, and revealing the truth of the Gospel.
Pray that God will open the hearts of the people in the 10/40 Window to the gospel. That the Holy Spirit will soften hearts that may be hardened by tradition, fear, or misunderstanding.
Pray that God will reveal Himself through dreams, visions, and personal encounters, breaking through spiritual barriers and drawing people to the truth of Jesus Christ.
Pray that God will raise up bold and effective missionaries who will share Christ’s love in the 10/40 Window. Pray for individuals who are passionate about reaching the unreached, willing to sacrifice comfort, and equipped with cultural sensitivity and spiritual strength to navigate challenging environments.
Pray for local believers to become passionate witnesses, leading others to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.
Pray for wisdom and discernment for missionaries and sending organizations as they develop strategies for reaching the unreached in the 10/40 Window.
Pray for safety and protection of missionaries currently serving in the 10/40 Window. Pray for their physical safety in the midst of potential threats of violence, persecution, or illness. Ask God to surround them with a shield of spiritual protection, guarding their minds and hearts against discouragement and spiritual attack.
Pray that God will provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of missionaries and their families. Pray for needs such as housing, food, and healthcare. Pray for strength in times of loneliness, isolation, and cultural adjustment.
Pray for unity and cooperation among organizations and denominations that are doctrinally aligned on the gospel. Pray that minor theological differences or methods of presenting the gospel are put aside for the vision of reaching the lost. Pray for a spirit of collaboration, humility, and mutual respect.
Pray for financial resources to support the missions in the 10/40 Window.
Pray for the translation of Christian resources into the languages of the people groups of the 10/40 Window. Pray for skilled translators to be raised up.
Spotlight
Cars & Coffee: A Community Outreach
The UBC inaugural Cars & Coffee event was a resounding success. Cars & Coffee is a modern car show trend that allows automotive enthusiasts of all types to bring their machines to meet and share their passion for cars over a cup of coffee.
The event started at 8 am and went to noon Saturday morning in the main UBC parking lot. There were no trophies or specialty categories, and all makes, models, and ages of machines and enthusiasts were welcomed. Coffee and conversation were available for our guests.
The first Cars & Coffee event had an estimated 75 cars on our lot, with only 5 being from UBC members, and a similar number of spectators were in attendance. Advertising for UBC Cars & Coffee was placed on multiple online forums providing an amazing turnout as car owners and spectators arrived from throughout the community. Many UBC members gave tours of the new church addition to our guests while engaging in great conversations. A few tables were set up at the church entrance offering coffee, water, homemade cookies, and printed church materials, such as; "Asking for a Friend" series booklets and pamphlets about UBC, of which a number were taken home.
Three more Cars & Coffee events are planned for 2025 during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Cars & Coffee is an effective way to draw visitors into our community through their love for cars. If interested in volunteering or attending future events, please keep an eye out for future UBC announcements. To gain traction for this event, we need to invite friends, co-workers, and neighbors and be prepared to attend with them. We would love to fill the parking lot during our next Cars & Coffee meet. Help us to build momentum at our next C&C event!
Mercy Highlight
Sewing & Craft Ministry Send Gifts to Asia Missions Conference
A few months ago one of our missionaries, Krista McCutcheon, reached out to our mission team about the possibility of blessing a group of missionary women working in remote areas of Asia she is leading a conference for this fall. Krista had seen that a sewing and craft ministry had started at UBC and thought it would be a perfect fit for what she had in mind. 55 missionary women are scheduled to attend the conference in Asia in October, and Krista asked if the new UBC ministry would be interested in providing a small personalized gift for each of the women. With an eager “YES,” many UBC women began working together to build goodie bags for each missionary that will be in attendance.
Not only did the group work to make tangible items, many women from UBC have been praying specifically for each woman by name that will be attending the conference along with Krista and her team who will be leading the event. Many of these women missionaries are the only Christian in the remote villages across Asia where they serve. Would you join us in praying that the conference would be a blessing and encouragement to all involved and for safe travels as women come in from all over the world?
Mission Highlight
Monthly Prayer Walk
The monthly Prayer Walk kicked off again in September with several new faces. We spent the morning walking through local neighborhoods and praying for those that live there as we went. When opportunities presented themselves, we also prayed personally for individuals we met. The people we meet while prayer walking are interactions we believe are not by chance, and we want to be a blessing to them by praying for their needs.
If you have an interest in joining us, please look for upcoming announcements on the Events page. We go out on the first Saturday of each month. The next prayer walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 5th at 10:30 AM. Meet in the UBC Main parking lot.
If you are interested in learning more about prayer walking in your neighborhood, let us know here.
Opportunity
OCC Shoeboxes - Collecting October 27-November 24
It is that time of year again...SHOEBOX TIME!! We are excited to be collecting Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoeboxes once again this year. Last year UBC collected just over 500 boxes. Our 2024 goal is to surpass that number in order to bless more children around the world! Empty boxes will be available to pick up starting Sunday, October 6th at the ministry table. We will begin collecting full boxes on Sunday, October 27th at the ministry table.
Our challenge to you is to think of how you can participate…pack some with your own family (this is a great way to get kids involved in missions), pack some with your age group (college, young adults, senior adults), and pack some with your growth group (a packing party is always fun!).
Not only will there be the boxes available at the ministry table, but once again there will be the Jesus Loves You ball available for purchase. The cost will be $4 this year and includes a pump. Stop by the ministry table starting in October to purchase a ball.
Monthly Mission Quote:
One of the most significant factors in promoting world missions has been the translation of the Bible into hundreds of local languages. A crucial reason why the gospel is at home in every culture is because all people can discover God’s revelation for themselves in their own cultural setting.
— Lamin Sanneh
Upcoming Mission Trips
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news..." Romans 10:15
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How beautiful are your feet?
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"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news..." Romans 10:15 ~ How beautiful are your feet? ~
Planning for 2025
UBC is currently planning for mission trips for 2025! There will be local, national, and global trips offered.
If you are planning to participate on a mission trip with another organization (e.g., Cedarville’s GO trips), please contact us to let us know more!
If there is a nation or a people group that God has placed on your heart, share it with us. We would love the opportunity to hear and to help you find a trip in the coming year. Reach out to Jim Corbin (jim.corbin@ubcbeavercreek.com).
March 2025
Paraguay
Medical trip with ABWE, sharing God’s Love with the Gospel and medical care.
Contact: Jim CorbinMay 8-18, 2025
Bangladesh
Teach English, help with basic computer skills, or working with children in pre-schools.
Contact: Jim CorbinMay 24 - June 2, 2025
Namibia
Assist The Bahuns in their ministry and help with their local church Mission Conference.
Contact: Jim CorbinJune 5-19, 2025
Uganda
Come help serve South Sudanese refugees as we share the gospel and start discipleship groups.
Contact: Jim CorbinAugust 1-10, 2025
Argentina
Work with Pastor Fabian Santillan and his church as they share the gospel and plant another church.
Contact: Jim CorbinSummer 2025
Builders for Christ
Serve in the mission field of church construction and help a church build their building.
Contact: Dave Gneiser
Contact to learn more:
Jim Corbin
jim.corbin@ubcbeavercreek.com
To read past Mission Updates or to get more information about UBC on Mission, visit
https://www.ubcbeavercreek.com/mission-and-mercy-ministries.