Global Prayer News July to September 2018 https://scriptureunion.global/ Follow God s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 Dear friends and prayer partners Millions of people around the world followed the Royal Wedding of Harry and Meghan a few weeks ago. And even though there have been some controversies about the theological content of the wedding sermon, millions of people who have not been to church for ages (or never at all) have listened to and discussed the wedding sermon with their friends and work colleagues. For some it may have been the first time they heard about the redemptive power of love that is able to change lives and that can even change the world. But actually, this is what our leaders and volunteers share in the many camps, clubs and schools activities: Living out God s love and sharing his love with children and young people in word and deed can change the life of a young person. Many transformative faith journeys have started with the one volunteer who embodied the love of Christ and loved the one child that was so hard to love. Over the coming months the holiday activities of many of our movements will be in full swing. Camps, Vacation Bible Schools, special events and training will take place. Many thousands of children will hear the Good News of Jesus and experience the caring love of our staff and volunteers. Please pray with us that the love of the leaders will open their hearts to the Word of God. Pray that many children and young people will start to follow Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him so that they themselves become loving and caring agents of change. Many thanks for being part of our mission. By the way, you will see that the format of the Prayer News has changed a little. We have included SU community news. In the past this has been part of the Global News, but please use this as an invitation to pray for the people mentioned. You will also see more praise items as we would like to share with you the story of God s provision and answers to your prayers for SU s ministry around the world. Thank you for supporting us in prayer! Warmest greetings in Christ Monika Kuschmierz International Director, Scripture Union International Community News Please be in prayer for the new directors in SU Movements as they settle into their roles. Australia - New South Wales. New State Director, Andrew McLachlan has nearly 40 years SU volunteer experience and until recently was their Board co-chair. He has asked for prayer, for wisdom, discernment and sensitivity, as he takes on this new leadership role. Pray that God might raise up the resources necessary to fund the work in NSW, particularly in the more remote parts of the state. Singapore. Lim Yu Ming joined SU Singapore, after some years in ministry work and prior to that 25 years in the corporate world. With two sons, a daughter-in-law and one grand-daughter, he and his wife in their spare time, volunteer for short term missions doing orphanage work in Africa. Yu Ming feels privileged and is thankful to be serving at SU. He has asked for prayer that the team will be led by God and that they will give of their very best to God. Please also pray that they will glorify God in all their endeavours. New Zealand. Hilary Hague returned to SUNZ as National Director in April 2018,after overseeing the Wellington Community Ministries for The Salvation Army. Hilary previously spent 15 years with SUNZ as a Children and Families Worker and later Team Leader. Please pray as she leads the team, sharing her passion - growing an authentic faith in children, young people & families. We also pray for Albea Nalisa (Vanuatu) and Walo Vali (Papua New Guinea) who have both resigned from their director roles to take up full-time theological study. Please pray for them as they immerse themselves in God s Word for a time. Congratulations to Lawrence Yah the National Director of SU Gambia on graduating with his Doctorate degree recently.
Praise God! Here s a selection of wonderful answers to your prayers for SU s ministry around the world. Nigeria - FCS The FCS National Conference was held from 29 March to 2 April, 2018 at Gboko, Benue State despite concern over Fulani herdsmen continuous attacks. We thank God for a successful conference with 5,784 registered attendees and 1,008 salvations recorded. Small group Bible Studies. A special group of 45 physically challenged children Germany In April we had our first multisensory exhibition in our new SU building, it took the visitors back to the time of the New Testament and allowed them to experience the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus with all their senses. About 2,300 visitors took a tour with an SU staff member as guide. We are so thankful to God! It was fascinating to see how people, from so many different backgrounds, came and were touched by the exhibition - kids from primary school (some even kindergarten), young people, adults and senior citizens. We had many Christians visiting as well as atheists and people from other faiths - some people came twice! At the end of the exhibition people could write down thanksgiving prayers or prayer requests and we promised to pray for them. We were especially moved by their prayers. Praise God! Denmark In the first quarter of 2018 we asked for prayers for a Farsi and an English translation of a Bible guide on the Gospel of Mark. We are thankful to God that the English translation is now ready, and we have just recently found a translator for the Farsi edition. The work has been slow - but we are getting there! Praise God! Last quarter we asked for prayers for our five volunteer Bible inspirators for young people. Praise God they are doing well and some youth groups have asked for their teaching. Please pray for them as they continue to teach young people about the Bible. Mauritius When SU moved from Eau Coulée to Castel in July 2017, our vision was to reach out to children, youth and adults in the area in a holistic way. The Lord answered this prayer and gave us 20 adolescents and youth who are coming to the office three times a week for free educational support. We are ministering to their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. Some parents are also being ministered to. To God be the glory! When we called upon God to send us volunteers He heard our prayer. We are thankful to Him that since June 2017, volunteers have been knocking on SU s door. Eight committed volunteers come to the office once, twice or three times a week for ministry with the youth and office work. Three more come once a month for a prayer meeting. We give Him the glory. Vanuatu Praise God for the reconstruction teams from Australia and New Zealand who have continued to assist in the rebuilding of the SU Campsite in Vanuatu after Cyclone Pam in 2015. Two of the accommodation buildings were opened in November 2017 by a local pastor, with the assistance of an enthusiastic young person. Four weeks of work parties are booked in for 2018 to construct a new ablutions block, with mission trips also planned. Please continue to thank God for these ministry opportunities. Serbia SU Serbia celebrated the 150 th year of SU last year and planned last June to train 150 new Sunday School s teachers using the Big Bible Challenge Sunday School lessons. This was achieved by January 2018. Thank God we have 165 new Sunday School teachers!
Zimbabwe We give thanks for the growing ministry of SU Zimbabwe. Following a period of huge challenge, the survival and development of the Thuthuka project (a ministry to the street kids of Bulawayo) has become a symbol of God s faithfulness. A recent grant to pay for the drilling of a bore hole has given new life to the small farm where children from the street are given a Christ filled home. Madagascar We thank God for the National Coordination Meeting (NCR) (7-10 March 2018) where all the leaders of the 55 regions or cities, where SU is present, were able to meet. It was an opportunity for training/retraining as well as reviewing our Action Plan for the whole year. There was also the awarding of medals by the Chief of District (Public Administration Representative) to SU employees with more than 15 years of service. We thank God for their faithful service. SCOTLAND We are extremely thankful to God as we have had some exciting answers to prayer. In the last Prayer News we asked for prayer relating to the generous gift of Gowanbank, a former small hotel, to SU Scotland which we were in the process of carrying out refurbishment and building work to enable its use for future ministry. Applications were in to trusts to support this work. Praise God, we have seen significant progress over the past few months. The building warrant has been obtained for the necessary work, enabling a final project cost. Encouraging levels of financial resources are being made available from a range of sources which have given the Board confidence to proceed. The timing of this was remarkable. There is a financial gap at the time of writing, but we can see how this can be bridged, and are sending out an appeal to our supporters which will focus on Gowanbank. There is a lot of momentum on the project, and there are amazing stories of God s provision and intervention. From the inside of the project it has been a real roller coaster, with some uphill struggles followed by humbling God moments where we have been reminded that this is not our project, and reminding us of our dependence on Him. The excitement locally is building, and the opportunities are great. The challenges are still there. There is a lot to do and manage. Pray that God will continue to resource this new place for ministry in a way that we can only give glory to Him. We also asked for prayer for Dave Rickards, who came into post as SU Scotland s new Director of Regional Ministries on 1 April. Dave is thankful for your continued prayer and he has responded: I do feel like I m settling in well and beginning to build good working relationships. It s been particularly encouraging to reconnect with a number of people from University and Bible College days. It s also been great to meet with a number of church leaders and hear how God is at work among young people in Scotland today. Chile We thank God for your prayers about our ministry with children, youth and families. Please continue to pray with us for the renewal of our ministry. Praise God we have been able to continue with a tight budget and committed volunteers! Bénin We give thanks to the Lord for the family meetings with churches as part of the activities of the Bible Ministry and Ministry "Save the Family". We do pray that these activities can have a lasting and productive impact on individuals, families and communities. We give thanks to the Lord for work among the children in the South and North of Benin. There will be three Camps this year. Please pray that these activities will have a lasting impact on the lives of children and adolescents who attend.
July to September 2018 Prayer Requests 1-7 JULY Russia - Moscow: We are thankful to the Lord for our team of volunteers. Please pray for two projects: Work and Mission Tent Camp for Teenagers this week and for our Kids Camp later this month (19-26 July). SU Nigeria: Please pray for the National Exco Meeting in Bénin (6-7 July) - for divinely-directed discussions, decisions that will move the ministry forward and safe journeys for all. Macau: Please pray for a meeting to promote Bible reading among adult Christians (7 July). Please pray for the speakers, Rev David Wong and Rev Samuel Lau, and for those attending. Australia - NSW: Please pray for SU NSW Winter Camps running during July: for SUPAserve NT (Northern Territory), Shearing Camp, SU Rendezvous in Vanuatu, Barrington Ag Camp, V18 in Vanuatu and Craft Camp. Pray for safety and enjoyment, and that campers will encounter Jesus and be strengthened in their faith. England & Wales: July/August is holiday and Beach Mission season. Please pray that many non-church children (the 95% we are focusing on) will attend and encounter the love of Jesus Australia - Victoria: Please pray for the two holiday camps: a Performing Arts Camps for primary schoolaged children; and a Science Camp for senior secondary students (1 4 July). Pray for the teams as they build a welcoming community and a program that encourages and grows each camper. Please also pray that those attending will encounter God, make friends, learn new things and have fun. Indonesia: Please pray for youth leaders who will attend Youth Ministry training (6-7 July): that the sessions will stimulate the young people to reach out their friends, helping them to know Jesus and read the Bible. Please also pray for the Daily Notes Writer's Workshop (6-7 July) - that the Daily Notes will have an impact on the life of each reader. Global Team Glenn Coombs: Praise God for the work parties who spent 4 weeks in May and June on the Vanuatu - Stage 3 rebuilding of the SU campsite. Please pray for the SU French & English mission trips during the first two weeks of July - for safety and encouragement for all. Republic of Ireland: On 7 July the six weeks of summer camps and CSSM missions begin. Please pray for God's protection and that children, teenagers and families will encounter God. Austria: From July to August a team of up to 12 will give Bible lessons each day at an open Campground. Please pray that God will speak to the hearts of many people and that they will be open to the Gospel. Australia - NT: 2-6 July: please pray for our Kids Games outreach event, and the young people who are serving and being trained in a SUPA Serve program. Germany: July and August are the main months for SU Germany s beach missions at seven different seaside resorts at the Northern Sea. Please pray for the teams - that they will be able to encourage many children and young people to find out more about Jesus and discover the Bible. Korea: Please pray for YLTC (Young Leaders Training Course 4-7 July) that participants will have a lifechanging experience and will persevere as they work for God s Kingdom. Scotland: Please thank God for hundreds of young people attending 46 SU Holidays and 19 summer missions which are happening all across Scotland during the six weeks of the school summer break. Pray for fruitfulness, and that the love of Jesus may be clearly seen and shared. Leadership Lab International (LLI) Croatia: Please pray that the new LLI Cabin is completed in time for the second half of training and ministry this summer. We praise God for all of the resources He has provided through His people around the world. 8-14 JULY Switzerland (French speaking): Please pray for the 29 camps to be held during July and August. Please pray for all campers - children, youth and adults - that they can hear the Word of God, make new discoveries and advance in their life of faith! Indonesia: Training the Trainers - Baca Gali Alkitab (Read & Delve the Bible) will be held in Jakarta (9-14 July). Please pray that church pastors from across the country will grow deeper in the knowledge of God and commit to building BGA groups in their home churches. Poland: Please pray that both campers and leaders will get closer to God through the camps being run. USA: Please pray for staff, volunteers and children who will be a part of SuperKids Summer Outreaches, that many lives will be touched for the first time. Ukraine: Please pray for the summer camps for children and teenagers (July-Aug) - for God's protection and His work in children s hearts. Estonia: Please pray for a positive answer to the project application for finances for additional staff. The project was presented in June, but the final decision will be made in July-August.
Tajikistan: Please pray for the new camp with the new Tajik church. Pray for the youth and teenagers who are coming to the camp and for relationships with this church. Canada (English): Summer week-long sports camps are being run in 26 communities with an average attendance of 50 children per camp. Please ask the Lord to help directors, coaches and volunteer leaders to connect with the children in ways that enable them to respond to Jesus. Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia: Please pray for those attending School Christian Fellowship Leaders Training (14 July) and for Lue Jun Yi and Marianne Liaw as they teach and equip student leaders in this one-day training event. About 100 students from the Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley area come together each year for this important component of building the schools work. Nigeria FCS: We thank God for the FCS National Conference (29 March - 2 April) held in Gboko, Benue State Nigeria with over 7,000 participants and 5,854 registered members. Please pray for those who put their trust in Jesus at the conference to remain firm. Bulgaria: Please pray for our annual Summer children, young teen and older teen camps - all to be held in two new locations. Please pray for the campers and the volunteers, and for safe travel. We praise God for the new volunteers who will join our team! Bangladesh: Please pray for the future of Bangladesh. There has been recent unrest with police attacking striking Dhaka University students. The government has now accepted the students demands. Myanmar: Please pray for 42 Children Community Clubs in Yangon and the leaders who are meeting every second Saturday of the month. Australia - NT: 13-16 July: Please pray that Aboriginal young people attending a camp will be challenged with the Good News about Jesus. Pray also that we can support the indigenous leaders during this time. Global Team - Erzsébet Komlósi (Field Development Director for Europe): Please pray for Erzsébet who will be on a Sabbatical during July after serving on SU staff in Hungary for 22 years. This will be her first opportunity to stop for an extended period of time to reflect on her ministry. Please pray that this month would be a time of refreshment and learning. 15-21 JULY Slovakia: Please pray for fit4life, a camp for teenagers (14-21 July) as those attending consider what is really important to be fit 4 life. Romania: Summer is camps season! Please pray that God will touch the hearts of all the children, teenagers and adults we will work with this Summer. Please pray that God will fill our volunteers with love and wisdom, and use them for his glory! Please also pray for God s protection during all the activities! Denmark: On 17 July for the first time we will introduce our Bible reading tools at the Pentecostal Church Camp. Please pray that this will be the beginning of a new partnership! Vietnam: Please pray for finances for the printing of Bible Guides in the H'mong language. Siberia: Please pray for the family camp Treasure Hunters (21-28 July) for 7-8 families with children up to 16 years old. Please pray for the program and the special time when families are engaging with the Bible. Please especially pray for the safety for the 11-12 hour journey to the camp. Croatia: Please continue to pray that God will lead us through our Summer ministry: two MK Camps, International Camp, English Camp, two CREW, LLI students, Camp On Wheels, two Schools in Nature. May He be glorified as we live for Him! India: Please pray for those attending Gospel camps during most weekends in this quarter that the campers will open their hearts to the Saviour. Rwanda: Please pray for three camps planned: Teenagers Camp (19-22 July) ; Children s Camp (24-28 July); and a Retreat for SU Rwanda volunteers and members of the Board (15-18 Aug). The main topic of all the camps is Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning (Luke 12.35). Papua New Guinea: Please pray for villages, churches, families and schools still recovering from the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that hit the Highlands of PNG in February 2018. Hungary: Please pray for the July camp season with 11 camps around Hungary. Please pray for the Hungarian and English volunteers as they go out to share the Gospel in our kids camps. Australia - South Australia: As Australian society and the church changes, we face practical challenges and decreasing finances. SUSA has been through a tough time of restructure, which we believe God has guided us through and is using to prepare us for the future. Please pray for wisdom, opportunity and provision as we continue our mission to make Jesus known. Canada - Français: The SU Québec bookstore in our offices has just reopened to reconnect with pastors and individuals. Please pray for this new challenge. France: Following the success of the Anim'Tour last year, Amélie Thierry is training another team of young people who will witness using drama and music this July. Please pray for good fellowship in the team and for the camps as often staff are being sought at the last minute. Korea: Please pray for camps for Children and Youth (July -August) throughout the 12 SU Campuses - for God s wisdom for our staff and volunteers, and His protection over the camp.
22-28 JULY Mauritius: Please pray for our training sessions with 20 new youth during school holidays (July/Aug). Malaysia - Saba: Please pray for much needed wisdom and insight in planning & producing Koinonia, our ambitious five-year resource in Bahasa Malaysia. This resource will be used in School Fellowships and church youth fellowships as a follow up to our well-accepted and widely-used children s resources. Global Team: Over the next two weeks Africa Community Group 1 will meet in Johannesburg and Community Group 2 in Nairobi. Global Team members will be present, including Tony Nzanzah, Annette Osborne, Jenny Stewart and Monika Kuschmierz to help with training and development. Pray that these meetings will not only encourage our national leaders but also help strengthen the local ministries. SU Nigeria: Please pray for vacation camps in 207 centres across the country in July and August. Pray for divine visitation, encounter with Jesus and changed lives. Please pray that God will supply all our needs for the camps. Hungary: Please pray that we will have the resources needed for the translation and publishing of Life Explored. Uganda: Please pray for the Mid-Year Review Retreat (22-26 July) when the staff team, interns and key volunteers will share a time of Bible engagement, prayer, fun, communion and storytelling, and evaluate the progress of 2018 objectives. Please pray that God will guide our thinking and conversation, bless our fellowship, and inspire and equip us for effective mission and ministry. Hong Kong: Please pray for the Small Leaders Camp Be a Smart Steward (22-24 July). We aim to teach children to use time, money and natural resources wisely according to the Bible. Please pray that this will be a wonderful and meaningful time for the children. South Sudan: Please pray for the VEC training and Bible Quiz in Yei, Aweil, and in Juba. Taiwan: Please pray as we prepare children s resources and training programs for Sunday School teachers - that God will continue to sustain and bless this new ministry. Estonia: Please pray for children and young people in teenage and extreme camps (July), and children s camp and dedication camp (August). Pray for special blessing and strength on the main team, who need more rest times, and to the CREW - 15 new young team members who will serve for the first time! Pakistan: Please pray for the safety of SU staff and volunteers as they conduct Vacation Bible Schools for children in different cities in Pakistan (July/August). England & Wales: Many churches run SU holiday clubs over the Summer and reach tens of thousands of nonchurch children, young people and their families. Pray for us as we work with churches to turn this one-off activity into year round ministry. Rwanda: We praise God for His presence during our SU 150th Anniversary celebrations, when we also officially opened SU Rwanda house. Members of the SU General Assembly, SU staff and guests from the UK shared the tremendous things God has enabled His people to achieve in the world in general and in Rwanda in particular. Global Team - Wendy Strachan: Praise God for an exceptional group of 18 people who met in Shikwaru for the 5-week residential section of the Leadership Experience 2018 - five of them from SU in Africa, Europe and Australia. As a community of children s ministry leaders from around the world, we learned so much as we listened to expert facilitators, each other - and God. Please pray for them now as they work on their Ministry Projects and engage in Online Forums around topics of interest. Vietnam HCMC: Please pray for the VBS camps 10+ camps for around 1,000 kids from different churches and denominations; and for the youth camp for 100 youth leaders who have been in ministry with SU. 29 JULY 4 AUGUST Thailand: Please pray for the continuing Big Bible Challenge training and promotion. We thank God for our volunteers, especially Ms Niramol, a faithful Sunday School teacher who has volunteered to help with our office administration. Mauritius: Please pray for training sessions for children s ministry workers from two churches which are new SU partners. Nigeria FCS: The few weeks old baby boy of our staff trainer, Stephen Mamman Twan (Yobe Area Secretary) died during the African Creativity and Talent Camp (AFRICREATAC) held in April. Please pray for comfort for the family. Also pray that the participants at the camp will apply the skills they learned. Sri Lanka: Please pray for those who attended the Blind Women s Conference held earlier this year at Kuliyapitiya - that God will continue His work in their hearts. Northern Ireland: Please pray for over 1,200 volunteers who will seek to share the Good News of Jesus with thousands of children and young people through the Camps & Missions program (July/August). We are so grateful for the message we have to share and for our willing volunteers to share it! Japan: Please pray for the three camps for youth in August, that the speakers, leaders and campers will be blessed.
Cote D Ivoire: Please pray for the success of the SU-CI Annual Camp for Children and Youth (28 July - 8 August). Swaziland: Please pray for success for regional leadership training and branch activities; enhanced partnerships with school teachers; increased local support for SU activities; and effective local level fundraising using the Ministry Partner Development (MPD) fundraising tool. Australia - Victoria: Please pray for SU Victoria s Staff Conference (1 3 Aug) for ministry and support teams. Please pray that each staff member will encounter God and experience Kingdom community and participate in a strategic time of planning across all SU s ministries with children, young people and families. Canada - English: TheStory Bible reading guide is now being published as a book of studies which help people engage with the Bible s story of redemption through Christ Jesus. Please pray that readers will meet with God daily as they read, reflect and respond to His Word. Nigeria FCS: Please pray for Leah Sharibu, one of the girls abducted from the Government Girls Science Technical College in Northeast Nigeria who was not released on religious grounds. Pray for God s intervention in Nigeria and the release of the girls still being held captive. Please also pray for FCS work, especially in Benue State, North-Central Nigeria, which has been affected by the hostile activities of herdsmen. Please pray against the activities of herdsmen targeting Christians. Australia - NSW: SU NSW has restarted regular prayer nights. Please pray for this initiative on the 2 August and 6 September, as supporters gather for dinner & prayer. Hong Kong: We have committed to buy a new office in an industrial district and need to raise about US$1.5 million to complete the purchase before mid-september. Please pray for God s grace and provision in fundraising and renovation of the flat. Zimbabwe: During July to September we aim to finalise our 2019 plans and themes to guide the writing of Bible study guides for primary and secondary school children. Please pray for wisdom and strength for the writers. Finland: In August we will plan a gathering for staff and volunteers. Please pray that the two days spent together will be blessed, fruitful and relaxing. 5-11 AUGUST Siberia: Please pray for the holiday camp in Shakhtyor Village (5-9 August). Please pray for young volunteers from Novosibirsk and Moscow who will run the program that it will be a time of growth in their ministry. Please pray for the village kids, most from troubled families that they will have a special time and experience God's love and acceptance. Please pray for the regular children's ministry in the local church. Congo Brazzaville: Please give thanks to God for the opportunities of working with Churches. South Africa: Please pray that the national Holiday Club (Vacation Bible School) program yields much fruit. Please pray that kids not only thrive in these fun, safe environments, but also meet Jesus and discover the hope of the Gospel as they encounter real life in the months that follow. Laos: Please pray for Rev Khounkeo and Pastor Kongmong as they prepare to teach the Bible reading method - that many will start to read the Bible daily. Please pray for Pastor Afeuy as she completes the children s Bible reading notes. Ethiopia: Our country s security and peace has been in danger for many months. Many people have been killed as a result of ethnic conflict and political unrest. A new Prime Minister has been appointed and the country seems to be at peace. We thank God for this and pray for sustainable peace, and God's wisdom and protection for the government. Scotland: Please give thanks for the creative gifts of Eilidh Marks, who joined us recently as our new Communications & Marketing Manager. Pray for her as she seeks fresh ways of communicating what we do to those with little or no knowledge of SU Scotland. Myanmar: Please pray as we seek to extend SU Myanmar s ministry to Taungoo, Bago Division, three hours drive from Yangon in 2018. Poland: Please pray that teens taking part in the Youth Leadership Program will understand the core message that the true leader is like Jesus - not the one up front, but the one whose heart is willing to serve. Papua New Guinea: Praise God that school prayer numbers have increased from an average of 100 students to an average of 400 students every Friday in Port Moresby. Please pray for more volunteers/support to help reach out to young people and schools in the other 21 provinces. Leadership Lab International (LLI): Praise God for the 9 participants who have been accepted for LLI s Transform training. They have come from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine, New Zealand, England and USA. Pray that God uses the training (July to 14 August) to equip and empower these young leaders to serve on multicultural ministry teams around the world, as they seek to fulfill Jesus Great Commission. Guinée Conakry: Our goal through our activities in 2018 is to reach out to the leadership of the churches to make SU s ministry known please pray for the revival of ministries. Finland: Please pray for 15 year olds who attend confirmation school camps all over Finland. Pray also for their teachers pastors and youth leaders that they can inspire these teens to also read the Bible at home.
Chile: Please pray that we can meet the needs of the churches requesting training Australia - WA: Praise God for a new staff member who is developing ministry through the arts. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we revitalise and rethink a ministry that has been highly effective and widely accessed in recent years, but requires development to remain effective and sustainable in our changing society. Philippines: Praise the Lord that 22 people (19 new and 3 current note writers) participated in the Note Writers Workshop in Baguio City earlier this year. 12-18 AUGUST Singapore: Please pray for SU Singapore s Youth Ministry and the SU Christian Fellowship (SU@CF) Program. SU@CF is SU Singapore s varsity program that reaches students 13-19 years of age. Pray for SU staff as they handle contacts in multiple schools that the Lord will grant them strength and focus as they minister in His Name. Australia - ACT: Please pray as we explore how we can help children and young people with disabilities come to faith, grow in faith and become committed church members and servants of a world in need that God will guide and shape these explorations. Costa Rica: Please pray for the provision of finances to sustain our ministry. South Sudan: Please thank God for the successful Values Education Class (VEC) Volunteer Teachers in Nzara, Yambio, Malakal and In Juba. Please continue to pray for this program in the schools. Switzerland - German-Speaking: Please pray for our financial situation and an improvement in liquidity. We thank God for all our donors and ask for enough money to be able to operate without a deficit. Latvia: Please pray for SU Latvia camps and the campsite development. We are grateful to those who are supporting the camp site development with both financial and hands-on practical assistance. Please also pray for more opportunities to share God s Good News to children and young people. Korea: Please pray for the Children s QT Camp (13-15 August) and the Children s Ministry Team leading the camp. Children will learn how to use the 'Daily Bible for Children' through many fun and meaningful activities and games. Please pray that children develop a personal relationship with God during this camp. Austria: Please pray for our BibleMobil Project which goes to schools and churches for the staff person leading this ministry and for God s blessing on the project. Cote D Ivoire: Please pray for the National Day of Thanksgiving to God for the ministry of SU-CI on 14 August and for three days of fasting and prayer by the Warriors of Prayer (RAG) from 29 August to 1 September. Vietnam HCMC: Please pray God will meet the needs of our staff and volunteers as they dedicate these months to children and youth camps. Republic of Ireland: We praise God for his faithfulness during our camps and ask for prayers as a new CSSM beach mission begins in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin (12-17 Aug). India: Please pray for more workers in the North India Hindi region. Denmark: The new editor for the Bible engagement app begins work on 15 August. Please pray that this will be a blessing for the readers of the Bible notes. Thailand: Please continue to pray for the recruitment of a new SU Thailand General Secretary and for Rev. Dr Apichart Poonsakvorasan, SU Thailand Council member, who will work with SU Laos to conduct Bible training at Vientiane, Laos (14-17 Aug). Global Team: Please pray for the Ministry Specialists who are working on a resource that would support churches as they assist children and families to think through their journey of faith. 19-25 AUGUST Japan: Praise God that He has added two part-time staff workers for the ministry: Ms Eiko Oeda and Ms Junko Muto. Kosova: We have just launched the first Christian App in the Albanian language, Guardians of Ancora. Please pray that children will be reached through this game app. Greece: We thank God for opportunities to serve refugees, especially families with children, providing medical care and meals. Malaysia - Peninsular Malaysia: Please pray for the Bible Reading Camp (19-22 Aug) with about 120 participants aged 13-25 years. This is a combined program with churches and the Teachers Fellowship in Kota Marudu in the state of Sabah. Please pray for Emelda Roukin, SU Peninsular Malaysia staff in Sabah, as she organises this camp and for those attending. Laos: Please pray for Sunday School teacher training in four provinces, that God will enable the Sunday School teachers to reach out to many children. Uganda: Please pray for the Children & Youth camps (24-29 Aug) - that all 11 camps will equip and embolden youngsters to serve Christ in their schools.
Macau: Please pray for a meeting to promote Bible reading among Christian teachers (25 Aug). Please pray for the speakers, Rev. David Wong and Rev. Samuel Lau, and for those attending. Australia - ACT: Preparations are in full force for the busy Spring camping season. Please pray for the directors of the three programs and their teams as they prepare. Pray also that our work to include people on the margins in these programs will be effective. Bulgaria: From 20-27 August, teens from the weekly Bible clubs will have the opportunity to spread the Gospel in the Rodopi Mountains. They have been training since September 2017 and are very excited. Please pray that God will visit the places before us and plant the seed of His Spirit in the people who will come to listen. Singapore: Please pray for the Walking With Wounded Children course (WWWC) (21-25 Aug). WWWC is a course that provides children s ministry leaders and church workers with fundamental skills in reaching out to children who have undergone abuse, neglect or trauma. Please pray for participants to be receptive to the teaching material and sensitive to the needs of children as they return to their respective churches. Germany: This fall we plan to buy the building that we moved into last year which is where our offices, warehouse and seminar rooms are located. Please pray that we receive enough additional donations to keep the necessary bank loan as small as possible. Togo: Please pray for the smooth running of the SU-Togo Children and Youth Camps. USA: Please pray for deepening discipleship and growth in God's Word through the NUA film series, the Bible guides and E100 resources as the US routines are broken up by vacations and Summer. Congo, DR: We thank God for the leaders and trainers of the networks of our various ministries. Please continue to pray for their training and equipping of the 129 Local Committees. 26 AUGUST 1 SEPTEMBER Global Team: The Pacific Islands Community Group will meet 29 Aug 1 Sept. Global Team members will be present, including Lim Teck Boon, Jenny Stewart and Monika Kuschmierz to help with training and development. Pray that these meetings will not only encourage our national leaders but also help strengthen the local ministries. Sri Lanka: Please pray for the children who attended the Annual Children s Camp earlier in the year that the messages they heard and the love they experienced will continue to resonate in their lives.. Serbia: Please pray for the extra holiday daily camps in six villages where SU has organised sports ministry for more than three years. 150 th anniversary Llandudno beach This Summer it s 150 years since Josiah Spiers ran the first beach mission on Llandudno beach in 1868. Scripture Union in Wales is organising a number of special events and celebrations around the weekend of 24-26 August, in partnership with United Beach Missions and local churches. Please pray for a team from Scripture Union Lesotho who are helping them run pop-up mission activities around the town, beach celebrations and workshops in local schools in the run up to the celebration events. Pakistan: Please pray that God will make it possible for us to conduct 35 Vacation Bible Schools and a girls camp. Please pray for enough funds to conduct these programs. Honduras: Please pray for funds to hire more workers for our ministry with Children and Youth. Switzerland - German-Speaking: Please pray for our Board meeting, followed by a business lunch with our staff (31 Aug). Please also pray for wisdom and God s guidance in all decisions and for good fellowship with our staff. Vietnam: Please pray for the completion of SU Hanoi's administrative structure in the next few months. Tanzania: Please pray for the training of volunteer teachers of the VALUES Education ministry in schools, and for the provision of translated materials that can be used in this mission. Jamaica: Please pray for us as we look to God for guidance and support as we go into a period of evaluation and re-strategising. Greece: Please keep praying for our efforts to find a piece of land, suitable for a campsite. We will continue the research in the Autumn. Bangladesh: Please pray for the economy of Bangladesh. Many students have had to leave university and the SU group to help support their families. Swaziland: Please pray: for God s guidance and a new direction in the printing and distribution of SU Bible reading notes in schools; for stronger coordination through existing structures in regions and branches (coordinators, teachers, associates and students); that the SU vision and mandate will continue to be upheld; and for successful partnerships with government ministries in running SU activities and following the Christianity Only Education directive.
Nepal: Please pray for the Teens Teachers Training that will be organised in Lalitpur (26-27 Aug). We are expecting 25 young adults to join with a commitment to lead teenagers in their respective churches. Croatia: Praise God with us for the provision of the amount needed to renovate DPB House! He is Mighty and has moved all kinds of mountains and is making our faith grow! Thailand: Please pray for SU Thailand, in cooperation with the School of Ministry, Bangkok Institute of Theology, conducting a first-time Sunday School Teacher Certification Program. Please also pray for Values Begin at Home, Lifelong Learning through Sunday School: a special encouragement program for parents and Sunday school teachers (19 Aug). 2 8 SEPTEMBER Australia:/New Zealand: The Australian and New Zealand Movement leaders meet 3-5 Sept. Monika Kuschmierz and Jenny Stewart will be joining them. Pray for these leaders as they discuss ways of collaborating more closely. Global Team: The Asian Community Groups will meet 6-9 Sept. Global Team members will be present, including Lim Teck Boon, Jenny Stewart and Monika Kuschmierz to help with training and development. Pray that these meetings will help build sustainability and strengthen the local ministries. Indonesia: Praise God for 90 Sunday School teachers who have been trained in the basic level Children s Ministry training last year. Please pray for the intermediate level (7-8 September) as participants will be more challenged to have a meaningful impact on the lives of children in their home churches. Ethiopia: Please pray for healing for the wife of an SU staff member who is suffering from mental illness, for their family and for the SU staff. Slovakia: Please pray that our grant application to develop a new website will be approved. The website will be a sharing platform for all children s workers in Slovakia and a library of teaching materials and training resources. There is a huge need for such a platform. Laos: We thank God for His guidance during 2017 and the beginning of 2018 as we partnered with churches and shared the Gospel. More than 300 adults and 3,000 kids accepted Christ through Scripture Union programs. We praise God for these opportunities among young people and children. Please pray for the National Kids Camp in Vientiane with 150 children. Chile: Please pray for children, youth and families who receive support in the care centres in Santiago and Talcahuano (in the south of the country). Australia South Australia: Gents & Jewels, our male and female camps, are in early October and can have large impacts in evangelism and discipleship. Please pray for the preparations, leaders and campers, and for a good attendance. Vietnam HCMC: Please pray that our Sunday School Curriculum (1-10 Bible for children of all ages) will be completed, ready to be launched in November. Global Team - Wendy Strachan: Please pray for the person of God s choosing to take over coordination of Leadership Experience from Wendy Strachan as it continues towards its 2020 program. Guinée Conakry: Praise God for our Bible ministry, which has had a positive impact - 800 Bible Reading guides were not enough to satisfy the demand of Bible readers. Singapore: Please pray for SU Singapore staff as they begin preparations to organise December s Youth Bible Conference. Pray for the Lord to bring the right people to the conference and that He will reveal Himself to them. SU Nigeria: Praise God for the re-edited story of SU Nigeria, Flame of Fire, publicly unveiled earlier this year. Ukraine: On 8 September we celebrate 25 years of Open Bible (Scripture Union) ministry in Ukraine. Please pray that the celebration will revitalise old contacts and create new ones and that God will be glorified. India: Please pray for the school meetings conducted in this quarter 95% of the children attending are from another religion. Please pray for India: that God will overrule the disturbances and growing problems caused by communal tension. 9-15 SEPTEMBER Côte D Ivoire: Please pray for the 15 th presentation of Capacity Building for Marriage Counsellors (12-15 September). Tonga: Please pray for the SU-Tonga Annual Camp (14-17 Sept). Please pray that many souls will be brought into the Kingdom of God. Leadership Lab International (LLI): Pray for the development of the new training track called BUILD - Building Gospel Bridges using culture and hard skills to communicate biblical truth. This new 5 week training will be offered in 2019 including three weeks of training and outreach in Croatia. After this training, the initial plan is the final two weeks will include a Biblical tour with SU Greece and a ministry outreach. South Africa: Please ask God to bless our new plans for our two main online Bible Engagement initiatives: Wordspace (www.wordspace.co.za) - geared for teenagers each day; and the weekly SU Mag (www.sumag.co.za) aimed at Christian teachers, youth pastors and parents.
Australia Northern Territory: Please pray as we begin planning for next year (10 Sept.) and for the appointment of a new worker to join the team. Congo Brazzaville: Please pray for the provision of finance to support SU s ministry. Costa Rica: Please pray for the evangelism ministry in schools. Nigeria FCS: Many activities in FCS Nigeria have been put on hold because of lack of funds and staff salaries are owing for eight months. Please pray that God will raise up supporters for FCS. Jamaica: We are grateful to God for many students who have made decisions for Christ. Please pray for them. Kosova: Our sports ministry has grown. Please pray that God will use this ministry to reach many young people. Taiwan: Please pray as we embark on a new publication of Bible reading guides for young believers for many new subscriptions and favour among churches. Spain: Please pray for the new projects among children and for economic sustenance for the ministry. Global Team: Please pray for the adoption and implementation of the revised Child Protection Policy globally. Zimbabwe: On 16 June (the Day of the African Child) we held the Bridge Builders' Run, a 21 km race to raise awareness of SU Zimbabwe. Please pray that we can follow up and continue to communicate, engage and mobilise our communities through SU Zimbabwe s work. 16-22 SEPTEMBER Global Team and Board: The Global Team will be meeting 18-21 Sept and the Global Board 21-23 Sept. Pray for the Global Team members as they continue to move Global initiatives forward. The field Development Directors will be working to share ideas of how they can help movements become more sustainable. Pray too for the Global Board as they continue to explore areas where global policies and strategies are needed to support the global family. Northern Ireland: The beginning of a new academic year brings another opportunity to inspire and equip student leaders in post-primary School SU groups across Northern Ireland at our annual Making Your Mark gathering (late September). This event is a springboard for our work in schools and has become a highlight of our year! It is a huge privilege to journey with young people as they go deeper in their relationship with God and learn what it means to lead. South Sudan: Please pray for the Refugee Ministry and the farm project in the Uganda refugee camps. Netherlands: Please pray as we launch various programs for churches: Christianity Explored, Discipleship Explored and Life Explored, all with a new version and layout - and Samen Ontdekken for all ages. Nepal: Praise the Lord that a successful Vacation Bible School was held at Tikapur in Kailali district of far-west Nepal (about 600 km from Kathmandu) earlier this year. A total of 250 children, mostly from the Tharu tribe, participated in the camp. Thirty-five teachers volunteered to guide them. Finland: Please pray for participants and leaders of the Christian Outdoor Leadership course we organise in September with Wilderness Ministry Institute and Karkku Evangelical Institute. Honduras: Please pray for new members to join and support SU in Honduras. Tanzania: Please pray for us as we extend our ministry to unreachable areas. Praise God that we have started in two new areas and we are pursuing another two this year. Estonia: Please pray for God s provision for resources (human and financial) to continue the development of our campsite. Pray for inspired teams, right decisions, planning and constructions on the site. Pray for key people to emerge and be inspired by the vision. Philippines: Please pray for the 19 new Bible note writers who will be part of our pool of writers. Uganda: Please pray for funds to enable us to complete the SU Uganda Campsite. Australia - WA: Please pray the training weekends in preparation for beach and white water kayaking-based camps being held in the October school holiday period. These training weekends are a big commitment for volunteers and staff. Please pray they would be well-attended and will equip volunteers to run safe adventure camps where God's truth is made known. Papua New Guinea: Praise God that more schools are asking to be engaged in SU activities and have SU meetings in their schools. Canada - Français: In Montreal, we had the joy of offering children s ministry training for about 60 leaders. Please pray for the development of other spiritual leadership training opportunities with churches. Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia:The pilot program Bible Engagement Buddy System will encourage Bible reading with a buddy in School Christian Fellowships. Please pray for Joel Wong and Timothy Cheang as they run this program with student leaders and pray that it will be an effective way to encourage regular Bible reading for young people. 23-30 SEPTEMBER Serbia: Hana's Hope and SU Serbia are hosting a Conference for Church Sunday School Teachers on 29 September. Please pray for blessed fellowship, and fresh vision and inspiration for reaching children with disabilities with the Gospel.