Mission & Mercy Ministry Update - 2024, Issue 4
Table of Contents
Prayer Focus: The Unreached People of Indonesia
Mercy Highlight: Hope Rising Diaper Drive
Opportunity: Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL) - Spring Mission Trips
Opportunity: Hope Rising’s Annual Walk for Life
Upcoming UBC Mission Trips: Planning for 2024
Prayer Focus
The Unreached People of Indonesia
The month of April our mission prayer focus will be for the Unreached People Groups (UPG) in Indonesia. UBC financially and prayerfully supports the W.’s, who are full time missionaries in this area with the goal of reaching some of these UPG’s.
Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia and measures about 3,200 miles east to west. It is the largest archipelago (group of islands) in the world with over 17,000 islands; over 6,000 are inhabited. The Indonesian government allows people to choose from 6 religions: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Protestantism, Catholicism and “Chinese Religions”. Citizens must choose 1 of the 6 religions and they are then officially identified with this religion on their government ID card. People who are not religious usually choose Islam because this is the majority religion, and it receives more privileges than other religions.
Indonesia is listed 42 on the world watch list. Indicating a very high risk for Christian persecution. This, in addition to there being over 7,222 languages; and the difficulty of access to many of the islands, creates a legitimate challenge for missionaries. There are 787 people groups in Indonesia with 240 of these being UPG’s (approximately 70% of population in the UPGs). Of these 240 UPGs, 113 are Frontier people groups (virtually no followers of Jesus, no known movements to Jesus).
Let us intentionally pray for Indonesia this month. Below are several suggested prayers.
Prayers
LORD, we pray:
That repentance and remission of sins would be preached in Jesus’ name to all in Indonesia (Luke 24:47).
The Good News is veiled to many in Indonesia who are perishing, in whom the god of this world has blinded their minds. Cause the unbelieving there to see the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. We pray they will see Christ Jesus as Lord. May Your light shine out of darkness and into their hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).
For the peoples of Indonesia to confess their sins, and be cleansed from all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus (I John 1:7-9).
That they will come to worship before God, glorify His name, and know that He is God alone. (Psalm 86:9, 10).
For our brothers and sisters in Indonesia to keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for them that words may be given to them in opening their mouths boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:18, 19).
For the LORD of the plentiful harvest to call and send workers to these hard-to-reach peoples (Matthew 9:37, 38).
Mercy Highlight
Hope Rising Diaper Drive
University Baptist Church had a quick need request for a diaper and baby wipes drive. The goal of the diaper and baby wipes drive was to provide Hope Rising with essentials they need on a daily basis for mothers in need. When we met for our prayer walk in February, they mentioned needing diapers for older kids (5T) and pull-ups. Our team was able to provide a variety of sizes, but we did provide a lot of sizes Hope Rising needed. We also provided hand made items such as booties, hats, etc.
Opportunity
Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL) - Spring Mission Trips
Sunday, April 21st is another Missions BYOL – that’s Bring Your Own Lunch! We’ll be hearing from some of the individuals sent out from the UBC family to serve on mission trips this spring. They will report back, sharing stories, highlights, and photos!
This is a great opportunity to hear from those we prayed over on February 18th and to celebrate what the Lord has done in them and through them.
We will meet at 12:30pm at UBC East. You can register here.
Bring a friend, bring your family – and bring your lunch! 😊
Opportunity
Hope Rising’s Annual Walk for Life
I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life. ~ John 8:12
With the changes last November that enshrined abortion into Ohio’s Constitution, it has become vital that we work even harder to bring the light of God’s truth in the darkness of those considering abortion.
The Hope Rising Pregnancy Centers have continued to do just that by providing services at no cost, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, incentive-based parenting programs, abortion recovery ministry, student outreach, and much more!
You can help them continue to protect the unborn and serve moms and dads in an unexpected pregnancy by participating in this year’s Walk for Life on April 27. Raise funds by becoming a Sponsored Walker or simply give to (or “sponsor”) a Walker! The latest statistics show that abortions are on the rise locally and across Ohio. Hope Rising’s work of protecting pre-born babies from abortion is critical – and since opening in 1982, they’ve served almost 16,500 clients who chose life! Every dollar raised will help them spread the light by providing free, compassionate help to their clients.
Walk Details
Saturday, April 27th at Huber Heights First Baptist Church, 5875 Shull Rd.
Check-in starts at 10:00am and the program begins at 10:45am.
For more information, connect with Lindsey Bradshaw (UBC Pro-life Ministry Coordinator) at lindseynbradshaw@gmail.com or go to supporthoperising.org
Monthly Mission Quotes:
"Here we have in a few profound words the difficult lesson which we are in the process of learning on every mission field and in all our evangelistic work. The Church alone, which is itself a living spiritual fellowship, an organic whole, has power “to increase the body.” All work, however costly and well organized is not rooted in a church that has found the secret of mutual love, is in the long run powerless.”
— J.H. Bavinck
Upcoming Mission Trips
Planning for 2024
UBC has multiple mission trips available through 2024. There are local trips (prayer walking around the UBC neighborhoods), national (STUMIN is heading to Logan, Utah; Builders for Christ in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and other opportunities coming soon), and global. Some of the available trips are listed below. A full listing of trips may be found here. You may also reach out to Jim Corbin (jim.corbin@ubcbeavercreek.com) to get more details on any of the trips. If you do not see a trip to a place that is on your heart, please reach out. We would love the opportunity to hear and to help you find a trip.
Location/Date
May 8-19
Bangladesh
Teach English, help with computer skills, or work with children.
Contact: Jim CorbinMay 13-Aug 10
Builders For Christ
Come help the build in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (The Haven Church).
Contact: Dave GneiserJun 13-27
Uganda
Come help serve South Sudanese refugees as we share the gospel and start discipleship groups. More information may be found here.
Contact: Jim CorbinJun 16-23
STUMIN (Utah)
Come help a church plant in Logan, UT
Contact: Rob Slouffman
Aug 2-11
Argentina
Work with Pastor Fabian Santillan and his church as they share the gospel and plant another church.
Contact: Jim CorbinContact 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.