Mission & Mercy Ministry Update - 2024, Issue 11
Table of Contents
Prayer Focus: The Persecuted Church
Spotlight: Sewing & Craft Ministry Bless Women in Rural Asia
Mercy Highlight: Pro Life Ministry Diaper & Snack Drive
Mission Highlight: Recent Missionary Visits to UBC
Mission Highlight: Local Outreach and Mission Trip Opportunities
Opportunity: Registration Now Open for 2025 Perspectives Class
Opportunity: OCC Shoeboxes - Collecting October 27-November 24
Upcoming UBC Mission Trips: Planning for 2025
Prayer Focus
The Persecuted Church
This month our prayer focus missionally will be for the Persecuted Church. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is observed annually by Christians around the world to raise awareness and intercede on behalf of believers who face persecution for their faith. This event, which takes place on the first Sunday of November, unites the global Christian community in prayer, support, and solidarity with those who endure hardship, imprisonment, violence, and even death because of their commitment to following Christ.
Persecution of Christians is an alarming reality in many parts of the world. In countries where religious freedom is restricted, believers often face hostility from their governments, communities, and even families. According to reports from organizations like Open Doors and the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), millions of Christians experience various forms of oppression—from social exclusion to physical violence—simply for practicing their faith.
Open Doors data shows that last year alone, 4,125 Christians were detained, 14,766 churches and Christian properties were attacked, and 4,998 Christians were murdered. A list is compiled of the 50 countries with the most persecution and can be found at the World Watch List 2024. The top ten are listed here: North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Please join other University Baptist Church members in praying for the persecuted church this Sunday, November 3rd and throughout the month. Stop by the ministry table in the lobby for VOM materials.
Prayers
Pray that persecuted Christians would know the hope God gives (Ephesians 1:18).
Pray that persecuted Christians would fearlessly tell others about Jesus (Ephesians 6:20).
Pray that their witness would inspire those who plan to harm them (Acts 16:25, Luke 6:27-31).
Pray that God would provide for the physical needs of persecuted Christians (3 John 2).
Pray that they would experience God’s peace, despite their weakness and current circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Pray that God would protect them, according to His will (Matthew 26:39).
Pray that they would have wisdom and discernment for how to approach every situation (Matthew 10:16-18).
Pray that as they share in Christ’s sufferings, they would be able to rejoice in the hope God offers them (1 Peter 4:12-14).
If you are interested in praying for specific examples of persecution, The Voice of the Martyrs has a website called icommittopray.com. On it you will find current stories and prayer requests and can sign up to write a prayer for the person being persecuted. To date, over 477,000 prayers have been posted from 169 nations.
Spotlight
Sewing & Craft Ministry Bless Missionaries in Rural Asia
The Sewing & Craft Ministry team began making handmade gifts and praying for the 55 women that would be in attendance at the women’s missionary conference in rural Asia October 9-12 back in July. UBC’s own Krista McCutcheon spoke and counseled at the retreat.
Below are a few of the many comments received from those in attendance.
“I am truly overwhelmed at the way God abundantly showed His goodness, faithfulness and love to me at the retreat here in (rural Asia) last week! You were part of that HUGE shower of goodness through your timely, loving and thoughtful gift bag and roll up grocery bag. Such a great idea! I’ve used it already! I needed the reminder that I am not alone!…It was great to meet new friends from the (retreat) team, but also ministry partners serving here. I live 350 miles away from the capital city where the conference was and working out on the farm out there, I am not able to interact with others serving in the same country…We are hoping to start up a monthly zoom prayer and intercession time with some of the ladies and were thrilled to have interest in others joining!…Our Tibetan buddhist, post-communist context is fueled by self, insatiable greed and envy. Those are the strongholds that have to be broken down and redeemed to change people and develop this land! We keep asking Him to sustain us and keep us faithful for as long as He wants us here.”
“Thank you so much for all you did so that we could have the most incredible time at the retreat. It is the most amazing feeling to know that there are people you’ve never met who are loving, serving, working and praying for you from afar. I’m so humbled and honored by your willingness to serve in this way. Our family have lived in a rural location in (Asia) for the last 14 years, and we’ve been pretty much on our own for the last 13 years. So, knowing there are people lifting us up before the Father is so encouraging. Thank you!! And it makes going to the retreat where there is excellent teaching, beautiful fellowship, great worship, and so many GIFTS, just so special. May you be blessed as you continue to serve, just as you have blessed us.”
“Wanted to write a little note to say a huge thank you to all of you! To think we were cared for and prayed for so lovingly by brothers and sisters who don’t even know us is overwhelming and beautiful! What an encouragement the retreat was! To be surrounded by sisters in Christ and have our hearts and minds pointed back to our amazing Savior and His word was a gift I can’t quite describe. I walked away strengthened for the battle we face every day as we push back the darkness in the most unreached places. Thank you for your part in that and may God bless us all as we live for Him wherever we are.”
The Sewing & Craft Ministry already has plans to make items for a retreat Krista is leading in Kenya in the spring of 2025!
Want to get involved in the Sewing & Craft Ministry at UBC? There is a fellowship planned for Tuesday, December 3rd from 6:30-8:30 PM at UBC East. Please sign up on the events page and join us for some fun and fellowship! If you are interested in helping plan the event, please contact Kathy Gallagher at 937-356-9253. Help us get to know you so we can serve together as the Lord leads to bless others in our community and around the world!
Mercy Highlight
Pro Life Ministry Diaper & Snack Drive
Thank you for donating items during the Pro-Life Ministry's Snacks & Diaper Drive! As a result, we were able to donate 2,294 diapers, 90 pull-ups, 48 packs of wipes, and plenty of snacks! These items were delivered to Hope Rising Pregnancy Center in Xenia in October. Diapers, pull-ups, and wipes will be given to new moms and expectant mothers. Snacks will be enjoyed by the staff at Hope Rising as they work hard to care for families in our community.
As colder weather arrives, consider donating winter coats (up to 5T), hats, and gloves to Hope Rising. You can make a financial donation to the ministry here.
If you’d like to get more involved with the ProLife ministry team at UBC, let us know here!
Mission Highlight
Recent Missionary Visits to UBC
This month, our church family was blessed with visits from two remarkable missions organizations serving in South Asia, each bringing inspiring reports of God's work in their regions alongside urgent prayer needs.
First, we welcomed a visit from ND Lama of "ScaryDream" in Nepal. When asked about the unique name of their ministry, ND shared that it stemmed from the overwhelming magnitude of God's vision for their work—dreams so vast they seemed almost frightening when ND first began to voice them aloud. These God-given dreams include establishing 1,500 schools and 400 churches!
Already, their bold visions are bearing fruit. ScaryDream currently operates five schools serving over 1,000 students, along with four thriving churches. Additionally, their Theological Education by Extension (TEE) Bible College has grown to reach more than 8,000 students.
ND also shared some specific prayer requests, including the recent flooding in Nepal and how this has impacted many of their students and families and needs for computers for students. There are many ways to prayerfully and financially support ScaryDream, and you can find out more here.
Secondly, UBC had the privilege of hosting long-time members of the IEM (Indian Evangelical Mission) for a brief visit this month. IEM offers services such as life-changing access to basic needs, care for children, education, and Christ-centered leadership. Our visitors shared staggering examples of God’s miraculous works in the lives of his beloved people of India. We heard powerful testimonies of physical healing, supernatural provision, and heart transformations. These stories served as powerful reminders of God's faithful presence and active work in South Asia. You can learn more about IEM here.
In India, our brothers and sisters face increasing challenges from anti-conversion laws which have been used to target pastors and ministry workers. Both ScaryDream and IEM have asked us to pray fervently about this situation, as it affects their ability to serve and share God's love in their communities. May we faithfully support these brothers and sisters as they courageously serve in their fields, trusting that God will continue to work through them in mighty ways.
Mission Highlight
Local Outreach and Mission Trip Opportunities
Sunday, October 20th was Mission Sunday at UBC and we were reminded of our role as ambassadors. As ambassadors, we are called both here locally or internationally. There were local outreach and short term mission trip opportunities announced for the coming year. We want to help the body at UBC reach our neighbors and respond to the call to make disciples of all nations! If you haven’t yet filled out the response form, we encourage you to do so here. In addition, if you would like to hear further discussions about local and global missions, listen to the recent podcast between Bryson Jackson and Jim Corbin. The podcast can be found on our Mission & Mercy website.
Opportunity
Registration Now Open for 2025 Perspectives Class
Perspectives is coming back in 2025! Sign up by December 1st for $25 off your registration.
What is Perspectives?
It’s a 15-week course, rooted in Scripture, that explores God’s glorious purpose and the unique role He has designed for each Christ-follower in making His Name known. Instructors with various missions and ministry backgrounds will share from their experiences and teach on the biblical, historical, cultural and strategic perspectives of God’s plan for the nations. The Perspectives experience is enhanced by in-class interaction and prayer, and by completing the assigned reading and questions individually.
Students can enroll at 3 levels: key reader, certificate and credit. The course will be held on Sundays from 6-9pm, from January 12 – April 27 at the Ledbetter Road Church of God in Xenia. The cost is $250 but you’ll receive $25 off if you register by December 1st. UBC will reimburse 50% to members and regular attenders who complete the course.
Have questions? Stop by the Ministry Table or talk to a member of the Mission Core Team.
To register or for more info: https://perspectives.org/courses/xenia-oh-s25/
Opportunity
OCC Shoeboxes - Collecting October 27-November 24
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!
Here’s how you can help:
PRAY
For God’s leading on what to pack
For the salvation of both the children receiving the boxes, and their families
For the safety of those delivering the boxes and in the sharing of the Gospel
PREPARE
Shoe boxes will be available at the missions table beginning Sunday Oct 27th, 2024. A soccer ball & pump combo will also be available for a $4 donation.
Please plan to include the cost of shipping with each donated box ($10 per individual box).
Think about the gender and age group you want to bless. Plan to fill each box as full and as efficiently as possible.
For more shoebox suggestions with guidelines of what to pack and not to pack, the latest resources, and Follow Your Box labels, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ
PERSONALIZE
It is such a blessing for the kids receiving the package to connect with the ones who loved them enough to send a present. It may be the first gift a child ever receives. Make it fun, full, and personalized!
Include a handwritten note or drawing of you and/or your family, a photo, or complete an OCC coloring page and pack it in your box.
Monthly Mission Quote:
The great leader Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf (1700-1760) was tempted by rank and riches; indeed, he is most widely known by the title of honor noted here. But his attitude toward ambition was summed up in one simple statement: “I have one passion” it is He, He alone.” Zinzendorf turned from self-seeking to become the founder and leader of the Moravian Church. His followers learned from their leader and circled the world with his passion. Before missionary work was popular or well organized, the Moravians established overseas churches back home–a most unusual accomplishment. Indeed, one of every ninety-two Moravians left home to serve as a missionary.
— J. Oswald Sanders (Spiritual Leadership)
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 28 - April 7, 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 5-20, 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 in Sterling, MA.
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.