"Pakistan continues to be a country where Christians are persecuted, sometimes severely. Pervaiz Masih was falsely accused of blasphemy against Islam during a dispute over wages in 2015. As a result, the police brutally tortured his wife, breaking her back, and the family had to leave their village. After a three-year trial, Pervaiz was finally acquitted in January for lack of evidence.
Asia Bibi—whose acquittal was upheld by the Pakistan Supreme Court in January—has been blocked by Islamic hardliners from leaving the country. Unable to join her children in Canada, Asia has been in hiding with her husband. Read more of Asia’s story here. " (via Frontline Missions).
Way to Pray: Please pray for special grace for these and other believers who suffer for Christ in a country that is hostile to the Cross.
Prior to his move to the ghettos of the Dominican Republic, for 16 years, Roderick Davis experienced inner-city ministries in the United States working with drug addicts and juvenile delinquents. His experience in program development, group facilitation, cultural studies, church planting, Bible studies, and staff training has afforded him opportunities that he never expected.
Rod currently serves as the Executive Director of T.E.A.R.S. Ministries (True Evangelism Always Requires Sacrifice) which he founded in 1995. Since the ministry began, Rod has led numerous projects including--but not limited to--founding both a government-accredited 400 student school and a 100 student Haitian school, planting 28 churches in Haitian communities, and directing a missionary intern program and several social service outreaches such as a water purification center and the distribution of clothing and housing to the needy. His team has also hosted numerous short-term mission teams from the U.S. and Canada.
Rod and his wife Twila have been married nearly 30 years and have two grown children, Shekinah and Isaac. Each of the Davis family members has played a significant role in the success of the ministry.
Way to Pray: Please pray for a Grace Awakening in their local churches and community. They are living in a 94% Catholic community and are constantly fighting against a works mentality. Not just in their churches but in their own lives as well! Please also pray for Rod who recently had two major back surgeries this past year and continues to strengthen.
Our partner-in-process, Jasmine Road, is an organization offering women who are trapped in a cycle of sexual exploitation and addiction a path of freedom and opportunities to flourish. This Friday, April 26, from 9:00-11:30am Jasmine Road is having its first ever Rooted in Love Community Day at Triune Mercy Center (222 Rutherford Street). This will be a time to learn about the work Jasmine Road is doing in our community as well as learn about what is upcoming for the organization.
Miracle Hill in Motion is an annual event that raises funds for the amazing, ongoing work that Miracle Hill does. This year, the event is on June 1. Miracle Hill is currently in need of volunteers to help pull off this event! If you are interested in finding out more, check out the event volunteer page on their website.
Ensign Blake Papet (Navy Submariner)
2nd LT Gabe Papet (US Army)
Lt. Matthew Clark
Caleb Ford
2nd Lieutenant Parker Lewis
SFC Josh McSpadden
Cpt. Laura Rodgers
Major Tiffany Scheivert
...and the many others who are in active military service.