FIGHTING EBOLA ON THE FRONT-LINE (EBOLA CRISIS IN SIERRA LEONE)

Matt with Abu Stephen Conteh, 

the National Director of Youth 

For Christ in Sierra Leone, in 2010.

In a culture where shaking hands, hugging and kissing are ways to show love and care, not being able to do so is painful but necessary for our Sierra Leonean friends. Currently, about five people every hour in Sierra Leone are diagnosed with Ebola.

Over the past 5 years, Reign Ministries has had a strong ongoing partnership with Youth for Christ in Sierra Leone. After having been to Sierra Leone twice in 2010, my heart is grieved for our friends experiencing turmoil and crisis in their nation. 

While there, our team served alongside our friends to reach unwanted children in the streets, the unemployed in trash filled over-crowded slums, the hungry neglected children in under-staffed orphanages, the juvenile delinquents in detentions centers, and the hope-filled teens of under-funded schools. The thought of what the conditions are like now in these places is very difficult for me to comprehend.

Yet I pray with expectation that God will answer the prayers of his people and continue to offer his plan of salvation through the courageous and dedicated Youth for Christ staff. Please take a moment to pray for our friends and ask God to pour out His love and mercy on those who are currently suffering in Sierra Leone. 

“As our nation grapples with the pandemic of the Ebola virus that has claimed hundreds of lives; we look with hope to our soon coming King! For this reason, we remain steadfast, unmovable, always willing to expend ourselves for the salvation and transformation of our young people. We can only tell the full scale of the damage when this is over, this is why we are asking our friends to stand in the gap with us for God’s intervention in our land. Ebola is no respecter of age, status or profession; we are all at risk.”  –Abu Stephen Conteh 

MY LIFE IN HIS HANDS (EMERGENCY HEART PROCEDURE)

A few weeks ago I (Matt) went into our local clinic because I was experiencing some irregular heart beats and slight pressure in my lower chest. My visit turned into two ambulance rides to a nearby hospital and then to the U of MN cath lab for an emergency angiogram, which cleared me of any heart attack. Praise God! Two days prior to the event, I ran a hilly half marathon which could have triggered an existing irregular heartbeat because of a shift in electrolytes and excess adrenaline in my body.

I am currently wearing a small heart monitor and ask for prayer to find out more answers. We are grateful for God’s protection and for the awesome friends and family He has blessed us with. We are again reminded how our lives are really in His hands. 

PERSPECTIVES BIBLE COURSE (A LOOK AT MISSIONS FROM A BIBLICAL, HISTORICAL, CULTURAL & STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE)

YOU HAVE AN EPIC ROLE TO PLAY

Get threaded into the biggest story of all time. Join thousands of believers this Spring and experience God’s heart for all peoples and encounter the momentum of the World Christian Movement. Perspectives brings fresh knowledge and understanding of God’s unchanging purposes and why they’re relevant to your life.

WHY PERSPECTIVES?

God has a "world-sized" role for every Christian in His global purpose. Whether people go to distant countries or stay at home is a secondary issue. The primary issue is what most people are hungry to discover: vision to live a life of purpose. Discovering that vision makes this course valuable, and perhaps crucial, for any Christian.

WHAT IS PERSPECTIVES?

Perspectives is a fifteen week course designed around four vantage points or "perspectives" — Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic. Each one highlights different aspects of God's global purpose.

The Biblical and Historical sections reveal why our confidence is based on the historic fact of God's relentless work from the dawn of history until this day.

The Cultural and Strategic sections underscore that we are in the midst of a costly, but very "do-able" task, confirming the Biblical and Historical hope.

WHO SHOULD TAKE PERSPECTIVES?

The short answer is anyone who wants a closer walk with the Lord, who is serious about gaining a deeper understanding of His ultimate purpose in the world. It's for anyone who wants to learn how to strategically invest their lives in seeing God glorified; for anyone who wants to gain insight and direction that will help them to impact their generation.

If the above describes you, no matter what your age or position, Perspectives is for you!

WHERE CAN I FIND A CLASS?

Since 1974, more than 80,000 believers in North America and 20,000 more around the world have taken the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course. Each year, about 200 classes are hosted in churches and community centers around the country.

Perspectives instructors are professors, missionaries, ministry experts and pastors from all over the US, in addition to local missions experts and pastors. Each local class will post up a list of scheduled instructors on the local class web site.

For a Twin Cities Location (Minneapolis or St. Paul)

First Evangelical Free Church of Maplewood
2696 Hazelwood Street, Maplewood, MN 55109
Thursdays, 6:30—9pm, January 22—April 30, 2015

Stadium Village Church
501 SE Oak Street Minneapolis, MN 55414
Tuesdays, 6:30—9pm, January 20—April 28, 2015

Other Locations Across the Country or Distance Learning

With over 200 classes across the country each year, there is a good chance that you can find class in a city near you. Or, take the course for distance learning online. Please visit www.perspectives.org to find the best option for you.

WHAT IS THE COST?

The costs vary depending on your enrollment option and location. Every class web site has a page for displaying the current fees for the local class. Please refer to your local class site. Enrollment Types are as follows: Certificate level, Undergraduate credit, Graduate credit, and Key Reading.

HOW DO I REGISTER?

All students must register online, although they have the choice of paying online or in class. Students can pre-register or go to the first class and register on the spot. To register, please visit www.perspectives.org and find your local class.

NOVEMBER PRAYER & PRAISES

· 2015 ROYAL SERVANTS MISSION TRIPS RELEASED!
Recently, Matt has been working with our website services team to update the Reign Ministries website. Upon the release of our 2015 mission teams we received over 3,200 hits to our website in the first 12 hours! Check it out! www.royalservants.org

· COACHING NEW STAFF
I (Matt) am coaching a few new Reign Ministries staff members. Please pray for new Reign staff members Andrew Cederleaf and Scott and Nichole Anderson, as they begin the support raising process.

· GOD’S PEACE
I am thankful that during my heart procedure God’s peace rested on me the entire time. The fear of death had no grip on me because my eternal destination is secure in Jesus Christ – Praise God!!

AN UNDENIABLE PRAYER (A Royal Servants Report on our Ministry in Dunoon & Glasgow, Scotland)

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything  according to his will he hears us.” 
-- 1 John 5:14

Tanner paused, and then prayed for Keir, “God, reveal yourself to Keir, prove to him that Jesus is real.”

Even though 17 year old Keir was not a Christian, he enjoyed hanging out with our team and showing us around Dunoon, a quaint seaside Scottish town just an hour and half west of Glasgow.  Many youth in the town come from broken homes and have turned to drugs and alcohol.  In fact, the pastor we worked with said he knew of less than five or six Christian teenagers in the entire town of 8,500 residents.  We knew God had led us to Dunoon for a reason.

Tanner Blake, a staff discipler on our team, took an interest in reaching out to Keir. So, he invited him to join his small group of guys discussing the Bible. Kier said, “Sure!” He even rearranged his schedule (which meant getting up before noon) to come back each day to meet and talk about the Bible.

Over the course of a few days, Tanner’s friendship with Keir grew and they started having deeper conversations. Tanner learned that Keir was heavy into hardcore drugs and alcohol. Keir admitted, “I am not happy with the way I am living.” Tanner understood. He was able to relate with Keir because he had also went through some of the same exact struggles before he knew the Lord.

Tanner explained, “No matter how good the drug is or how cool the alcohol makes you feel, there is nothing greater than experiencing God’s love!” Tanner, sensing the presence of the Holy Spirit asked Kier, “Can I pray with you and ask God to reveal His love to you?” Keir nodded his head in agreement.

After praying, Keir seemed a little “out of it,” so Tanner asked him, “Are you okay?” And Keir replied in hesitant amazement, “I lost my legs, I feel something is here!”

In excitement Tanner said to Keir, “Dude, that is the Holy Spirit!” They both began to weep and praise the Lord! Right before their eyes, God answered Tanners prayer and revealed Himself to Kier. The Lord proved to Keir that He is real, and still working in the world.

Tanner then asked Keir, “Do you want to accept Christ into your life.” After a very vigorous head nod, Keir prayed to receive Christ and is now walking with the Lord!  

What this unforgettable experience revealed to our team is that prayer is undeniably the most powerful blessing that the Lord has given us. It is what gives us confidence in our God when we ask anything according to his will—we know that He hears us! (1 John 5:14)

For Tanner and our team, saying goodbye to Keir and other friends left behind in Dunoon was very difficult. We know that there are so few believers to encourage them. His heart, along with ours is burdened to continue to pray for the youth of Dunoon and those we met in Glasgow. Especially for the few teenage believers like Keir to remain strong in the faith.

This work does not happen without you! Please pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to be at work, revealing himself to the students we are working with.  If God is not in this we are ineffective. And if we are not sent, they are not reached. More than ever, the need of your prayer is undeniable! 

SEPTEMBER 2014 PRAYER & PRAISES

· STUDENTS
Praise God for yet another incredible summer we had in Scotland. Continue to pray for the impact that has been made on students lives as they live for Christ in school this year.

· NEW BELIEVERS
We shared Christ with many Middle Eastern Immigrants and Scottish teens. Please pray for the Churches we served with; for effective follow-up and for encouraging new believers.

· NEW STAFF MEMBERS
This year Matt is helping with our Mobilization Department
to coach a number of new staff members joining Reign Ministries. Please pray for coaching wisdom, and for these new staff raising their support!

· OUR FAMILY
Please pray for our children as the new school year has begun (Nathan–6th grade, Abby–4th grade, Josh–1st grade & Rachel–Preschool). Pray that we maintain a healthy & Godly focus in our parenting.

PRAY FOR SCOTLAND

Though church steeples dot the 
horizon of this once missionary 
sending nation, Scotland is 
now officially an unreached 
people group with less than 
3% in church attendance.

“Pray all the time...Plead with him... keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.” 
--Ephesians 6:18 (TLB) 

Hey Friends… By the time you receive this post-card we will be on our way to Scotland! Please pray for our July weeks of ministry!  

· Week 6—Ministry in Glasgow

· Week 7—Ministry in Glasgow

· Week 9—Ministry in Dunoon

· Week 9—Debriefing in London

· Week 10—Final Debriefing & Departure Home & REST!

There is a great need for missions work in Scotland today. The church in Scotland is no longer able to reach its own people with the gospel. Pray for the effective re-evangelization of Scotland. Pray for our church partners, for our team unity, spiritual growth, physical strength, safety in travel, wisdom and guidance, faith and courage in sharing the good news of Jesus, and changed lives in our outreach & service! 

After traveling on last years team, Jenni and the kids are excited to go again this year!  Our kids enjoyed participating in the Vacation Bible School last year and met some fun Scottish friends.  We stay in a very diverse community in Glasgow, and really enjoy learning about the immigrant cultures as well. Living out of duffle bags in Sunday school rooms - it's all worth it when we get to see God at work!