Prayer Points for our Family this Summer

Please pray for us & our Royal Servants team as we share the Gospel in Sierra Leone this summer.

PRAYER POINTS FOR OUR FAMILY

An extra amount of strength and spiritual wisdom for Matt as he leads 30 students this summer. Pray that the students would grow deep in their faith and many people in Sierra Leone will come to know Christ!

Traveling safety and mercies for Matt, the team abroad, and our family as we travel within the US.

Joy, strength and wisdom for Jenni as she single parents while Matt is apart from the family for 6 of the 9 weeks of summer ministry travel.

Pray for us as we continue our adoption process and send our dossier to Ethiopia soon!

We praise God for his provision for the financial expenses involved with our summer ministry!

Prayer Points for Sierra Leone, West Africa

RELIGION— Sierra Leone was the first West African country to be evangelized. Yet after over 200 years of effort, under 12% of the country claims to be Christian and 70% remain Muslim.

THE SIERRA LEONE CIVIL WAR— began in 1991 and lasted for about 10 years. Tens of thousands died, more than 2 million people were displaced as refugees and thousands of children were kidnapped, drugged and forced to kill. Pray for restoration of the government and for committed Christians to be a vital part of the leadership.

POVERTY— Sierra Leone is the 7th poorest country in the world, and ranks last on the United Nations Program’s for Human Development Index list. Pray the shattered economy be renewed.

UNREACHED PEOPLES— There are a total of 31 different ethnic people groups in Sierra Leone and 12 of them are considered unreached (have had little to no access to the gospel.) Pray for renewed vision among Christians to effectively reach these people groups.

10 Weeks of Royal Servants (May 30 - August 7)

Week 1— Packing & Final Prep for Student Missions Training Camp - Final Preparation, Packing Equipment, Driving to Training Camp in Lewistown—Central Illinois

Week 2 — Reign / Royal Servants Staff Week - (setting up camp for 400+ staff and students) Unpacking Equipment, Setup Tents, Big Top, Office Trailer, Electrical/water/phone hook-up, etc.

Week 3 — Assistant Team Leaders Training -
Team meetings, Planning, Training, Finances, Medical and Food packing for all teams.

Week 4 — Summer Staff Training - (about 50 Discipleship Group Leaders—ages 19 and up) Training & Assigning Discipleship group leaders—3 to 5 students per adult.

Week 5 — Student Training - (about 300 students—ages 13 to 19) Students learn Unity, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Love, Discipline, Forgiveness, Grace, Purity, etc.

Week 6— Travel & Begin Ministry for all Royal Servant Mission Teams - Teams will be serving in China, Costa Rica, Europe, India, Ireland, Israel, Nepal, and Sierra Leone.

Week 7 — Ministry in Freetown, Sierra Leone - Working with local Youth For Christ staff who are partnering with pastors, and churches, to reach out to this predominately Muslim country.

Week 8 — Ministry in Freetown, Sierra Leone - Students doing ministry and sharing Jesus in the streets, slums, schools, parks, detention centers, handicapped homes and orphanages.

Week 9 — Ministry in Makeni, Sierra Leone - Students doing ministry and sharing Jesus from village to village, church to church, door to door, hut to hut, in streets, parks and schools.

Week 10 — Debriefing in London & Depart for Home - Reflection on summer of ministry,
looking ahead & goal setting, planning ministry back home in church & community. Travel Home :-)

The Royal Servants Summer Ministry Prayer Guide for 2010

MISSION TRIP: Sierra Leone (West Africa)
DATES: June 26 to August 7, 2010 (6 weeks)
PEOPLE GROUP: Temne and others
RELIGION: 70 % Islam, 18 % Ethnic Religions, 12 % Christian.
OUTREACH: We will work with local Youth For Christ staff who are partnering with pastors, churches, and missionaries to strategically reach out in this predominately Muslim country. We will develop relationships and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people in the streets, slums, schools, parks, detention centers, handicapped homes, and orphanages.

TRAINING “...train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” –1 Timothy 4:7b-8

Before we even set foot on foreign soil we train our students and prepare them for the ministry ahead. During Training Camp, students experience team teaching, Bible study, small group discussions, Bible memorization, prayer, team building, and leadership training.  They also practice in a skill group to help present the gospel overseas.  Skill groups include dance, drama, music, and puppets.  In addition, some teams specialize in sports, language camps, or other activities relevant for the location. 

PROTECTION “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9

Over the years God has called students to give up their summer and invest their time in serious kingdom work. We are very thankful for each student that God has called our way. We take very seriously the safety and protection of our teams. God has entrusted us to care for each students specific needs. We are grateful to the Lord for providing protection in the 29 years we have been leading mission trips around the world. Please continue to pray for protection of our teams and wisdom for our leaders serving our students.

UNITY “...May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” –John 17:23b

If our relationships with team-mates and those on the mission field become strained we can badly damage our witness for Christ. We need to be honest and open with each other, show real repentance, and allow God to break our stubborn pride. It is NO easier for us to admit we are wrong than for anyone else! Pray that we will surrender “our” plans to God, be unified with our fellow Christian workers with agape love and seek the highest good rather than claiming our rights.

BOLDNESS “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” –Ephesians 6:19-20

Some of you may think that people going on a mission trip don’t fear sharing the gospel. But even the apostle Paul, bold as he was, still struggled with fear in proclaiming the gospel. That should not only encourage us to know that we are not alone in our fear but to pray that we too would follow in Paul’s example and be a bold witness for Jesus. Please pray that God would give our students boldness like Paul, as they open their mouth and proclaim the message of Jesus Christ fearlessly!

VICTORY “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” –1 Corinthians 15:57

Though there is not much talk these days about Satan, he is very real and desires to destroy us and our work for the living God! Please pray that we would have victory over his schemes. Pray also that each student would personally have victory over their own worldly and sinful desires. And pray that we would be in a constant state of thankfulness for our Victor, the Lord Jesus Christ!

WORKERS Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” –Matthew 9:37-38

Ultimately our work at Reign Ministries is to disciple the next generation of world changers for Jesus. Statistics show that MANY, MANY believers receive their calling to missions/ministry or will support the work of the Great Commission from their involvement in a short-term mission trip. Please fervently pray with us that God would do a mighty work among the next generation and send forth workers into his harvest field!

LASTING FRUIT “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” –John 15:16

We believe it is impossible for Christians to mature in their walk with Christ if they are not willing to speak for him. Unless we share our faith with others, we may never see any lasting fruit in our lives or in the lives of others. This is a top priority for our Royal Servants teams as we travel abroad and the reason we are seeing lasting fruit in the lives of the students and in the lives we serve overseas. Please pray that we will continue to make this our “top priority” in the work he has called us to. Pray that God will continue to work through us to “bear fruit” and “fruit that will last!”

A Call to Missions

We have two passions that drive us in our CALL to MISSIONS;
1. The Great Commandment: Teach students to love God with ALL their heart, soul, mind and strength. – Mark 12:30
2. The Great Commission: Go and make disciples of ALL nations… teaching ALL Jesus commanded. – Matthew 28:19

It is one of our greatest joys to see students we work with during the summer whole-heartedly embrace these two passions in a call to missions. In 2008 Stephanie served with us for a summer in Northern Ireland and England. We have kept in touch with Stephanie and followed her journey with God over the last couple years. I asked Stephanie to share how Royal Servants was instrumental in her call to missions:

"When I signed up to go to Ireland in 2008 with Royal Servants, I could not have imagined the impact the experience would have on me and my future. That summer I was changed and challenged in remarkable ways. I knew that I would never be the same.

My second summer with Royal Servants I served in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Not only did I continue to grow spiritually, but I further discovered and developed my passions in missions. My time with Royal Servants taught me how to share my faith with people who are lost, give myself, and serve in a way that no other experience could have.

As I move forward, I plan to follow the Lord wholeheartedly into the mission field. This summer, I'm moving to rural Tanzania in eastern Africa to teach primary school at a Christian development center and medical clinic for one full year. My long-term plan is to attend nursing school when I return to the United States next year and then pursue medical missions.

I am so blessed to have been able to serve overseas for two summers with Royal Servants. The organization, passion, and growth associated with Royal Servants provided preparation for me and gave me indispensable experience in the mission field. It confirmed in me the calling the Lord has placed on my life and impacted my heart for reaching the world."

Hearing Stephanie’s story is just one of many stories that keep us going year after year. This summer will be Matt’s fifth year leading Royal Servants mission teams and we are excited to continue serving.

Please be in prayer for the significant work that is ahead this summer in Sierra Leone. Pray also for the Lord to be working on the hearts of our students as they experience first-hand their call to missions!

Called to Serve,

Matt & Jenni

P.S. To read Stephanie’s full story, please visit the Reign Ministries website at: www.reignministries.org/stephanie-lyon

IMPRESSIONS OF SIERRA LEONE - AN EXTREME MISSIONS JOURNEY

Planes, Trains, Ferrys, Boats, Mini Buses, Automobiles and Motor Bikes... using almost every mode of transportation, Jeff and I successfully made our journey all the way to Sierra Leone and back! Our adventurous trip was a success and our time with the Youth for Christ staff (YFC) rocked. Plans are now underway for another exciting Royal Servants mission trip to Sierra Leone this summer!

After seeing it for the first time, here are some impressions that Sierra Leone made on me:

1. "You've gotta see it to believe it!"

Sierra Leone is really not a place you can fully describe in words—sights, sounds, smells, etc. One of the phrases that often came to our minds was, "You've gotta see this to believe it." I've traveled around the world and been in some pretty hairy places, but I was surprised to experience a fair amount of "culture-shock" in Sierra Leone. At the same time, I was not debilitated by what I saw, but eager and excited to serve. The warm, friendly and hope-filled YFC staff are truly a light in the darkness, and I am thrilled to partner with them to continue making a difference in Sierra Leone.

2. Crowded and Chaotic

Imagine traveling to any major world city and NOT seeing a single traffic light to bring order to the busy streets. Then imagine taking the majority of the people throughout the country and placing them along the streets of that city. Such is the everyday crowded and chaotic capital city of Sierra Leone, Freetown. There are over 1 million people who live in Freetown. Most are "refugees" displaced from the civil war that took place in the 1990's. Many of these people now reside among the three major slums within the city. This influx of people has created countless needs and overwhelming challenges to overcome.

3. Religion NOT Relationship

Though the majority of Sierra Leoneans profess to be Muslim, you might also get the impression that they are deeply Christian. After all, gospel music on the radio and Christian slogans on vehicles and billboards like "God will provide" are common place throughout the country. Yet, you don't have to look far to see that Christianity in many cases is simply just another religion to accept so that you may be "blessed" by God. One street vender even commented to me that the "gospel of Jesus" was his favorite religion, in hopes of earning some business from me. It breaks my heart to see Sierra Leone embrace religion and not a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is just one of the challenges with sharing the gospel in Sierra Leone.

4. Poor In Possessions But Not In Hope

The country of Sierra Leone is ranked the seventh lowest on the "Human Poverty Index." Most people live on less that two dollars a day and have very little possessions. Despite their poverty, they do their best to go about their lives as normal as possible. And though I saw hurt, I also saw hope in their eyes. I believe that is a God-given grace that all humanity shares. No matter what the situation is, there is always hope. I saw it in the school teachers as we passed through the slums, I saw it in the children playing in the orphanage, and I saw it in the eyes of YFC staff, who love their country. I thank God for the hope that he has planted in all our hearts - a longing for love, peace, and justice. The hope for Sierra Leone is only found in Jesus Christ and in his Kingdom. Pray that their eyes look upon Jesus for the hope that is in their hearts.

These are just a few impressions we experienced while we walked the streets of Freetown and traveled to the outer villages of Sierra Leone. All in all, we are stoked to be taking another team to Sierra Leone this summer. Whether working in the slums, loving on kids in orphanages or sharing Christ in remote villages; the ministry opportunities in Sierra Leone abound and lives are ready to be changed!

MATT IN SIERRA LEONE—PLEASE PRAY!

Preparing for Royal Servants Mission Team—2010

“I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” —Jesus

By the time you receive this letter Matt will be on the ground in Sierra Leone. Matt and his colleague Jeff Bell will be meeting with ministry partners, such as —Youth for Christ.

God has been using the Youth for Christ ministry to penetrate Sierra Leone with the Gospel for many years. We plan to visit orphanages, schools, hospitals, and the slums to meet with the key leaders who are helping to make a difference among the hurting and hopeless.

The Youth for Christ staff in Sierra Leone are looking forward to again partnering with us as we help meet many of the overwhelming needs in their communities. We will be spending time devising strategic ministry plans for our up and coming student mission team this summer.

As we have said before, Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world with a population that is 70% Muslim. There are also 12 people groups in Sierra Leone that are considered “unreached” —those who have little to no access to the gospel.

As you can imagine, we are sure to encounter difficult conditions as well as spiritual opposition.

Jeff (who lead the Sierra Leone mission team last year) said that his experience was unlike any other mission trip in his 20+ years of ministry.

“The opportunity for the gospel to shine in Sierra Lone is unprecedented. They are so open and ripe to receive Jesus.”

Please pray for protection and safety for Matt and Jeff as they travel. Also pray for wisdom as they plan out their summer ministry.