23 June 2010
22 May 2010
May prayer requests
Hi,
I know that many of you have been praying for us, and I am very thankful. Sorry I have not posted our usual monthly bullet points for prayer, but it has been difficult for me to know how to sum up the challenges we have been facing since we have been back in Latvia. Well, I've written out some requests with explanations so you can pray with understanding. Thanks again!
1. For our church in the summer time. Many locals scatter from the cities to the country side, beaches and forests in the summer, where they work in the fields and/or rest in little summer homes. Many churches seem "empty" in the summer and it's even harder for small churches like ours to maintain services while they are away. It feels like Acts 8:1 when "they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." So we will be changing our Sunday services at the hotel to a home fellowship for June and July. Our last worship service before the break will be May 30 and we hope to resume Sunday services again starting August 15th. PRAY: that our last service together would be a blessing and that the believers would follow the example of the early church "those who were scattered went about preaching the word." (Acts 8:4).
2. For evangelism. Now that the weather is warm and sometimes hot, it's prime time to preach the gospel on the streets and parks in Riga. We've been going out a few times a week to share in different ways: Open air preaching, word on the street interviews, a survey using an ipod app with a gospel presentation in 11 languages (especially helpful for Spanish, French, German, English tourists that come to Riga). I might be doing some itinerant preaching around Latvia in June and July. And I also have been invited to Estonia (to the North) and the Lithuanian border (to the south). Pray the door stays open to continue preaching freely, unhindered, and effectively. Pray that many may hear and that faith may come to them by hearing the word of God!
3. Pray for our family to be encouraged. Sometimes it's discouraging getting rejected when we share the gospel, and having few attending the church. When I evangelize many promise to think about it and some say they might come to church. We know it takes time to plant a church and people need to count the cost before committing to Christ, so pray we would have patience and not grow weary in doing good. It's hard not having a team of missionaries like we did in Ukraine. We are looking forward to the encouraging fellowship at the next Calvary Scandinavia conference (the first week of August). Also we are looking forward to a short term missions team coming from Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz to Latvia the 2nd week of August!! That leads to the next prayer point...
4. Pray for CCSC members who are called to serve in Latvia in August. Pray for Ryan Petrik who hopes to lead his family here for a month and for pastor Bill Bjorkman who hopes to lead a team for a couple weeks. May God make their calling sure, provide for the expenses (about 2500 each), and give us good communication and preparation between now and then. If you would like to donate toward their mission, I believe you can make donations at their site www.CalvaryChapelSantaCruz.com, But please pray for the provision as they will need to buy airplain tickets soon.
God bless you and reward your faith as you seek His will and labor in prayer for the great commission! Thank you!
Brenten Powers
P.S. Have you checked out our videos at www.youtube.com/calvarylatvia ?
I know that many of you have been praying for us, and I am very thankful. Sorry I have not posted our usual monthly bullet points for prayer, but it has been difficult for me to know how to sum up the challenges we have been facing since we have been back in Latvia. Well, I've written out some requests with explanations so you can pray with understanding. Thanks again!
1. For our church in the summer time. Many locals scatter from the cities to the country side, beaches and forests in the summer, where they work in the fields and/or rest in little summer homes. Many churches seem "empty" in the summer and it's even harder for small churches like ours to maintain services while they are away. It feels like Acts 8:1 when "they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." So we will be changing our Sunday services at the hotel to a home fellowship for June and July. Our last worship service before the break will be May 30 and we hope to resume Sunday services again starting August 15th. PRAY: that our last service together would be a blessing and that the believers would follow the example of the early church "those who were scattered went about preaching the word." (Acts 8:4).
2. For evangelism. Now that the weather is warm and sometimes hot, it's prime time to preach the gospel on the streets and parks in Riga. We've been going out a few times a week to share in different ways: Open air preaching, word on the street interviews, a survey using an ipod app with a gospel presentation in 11 languages (especially helpful for Spanish, French, German, English tourists that come to Riga). I might be doing some itinerant preaching around Latvia in June and July. And I also have been invited to Estonia (to the North) and the Lithuanian border (to the south). Pray the door stays open to continue preaching freely, unhindered, and effectively. Pray that many may hear and that faith may come to them by hearing the word of God!
3. Pray for our family to be encouraged. Sometimes it's discouraging getting rejected when we share the gospel, and having few attending the church. When I evangelize many promise to think about it and some say they might come to church. We know it takes time to plant a church and people need to count the cost before committing to Christ, so pray we would have patience and not grow weary in doing good. It's hard not having a team of missionaries like we did in Ukraine. We are looking forward to the encouraging fellowship at the next Calvary Scandinavia conference (the first week of August). Also we are looking forward to a short term missions team coming from Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz to Latvia the 2nd week of August!! That leads to the next prayer point...
4. Pray for CCSC members who are called to serve in Latvia in August. Pray for Ryan Petrik who hopes to lead his family here for a month and for pastor Bill Bjorkman who hopes to lead a team for a couple weeks. May God make their calling sure, provide for the expenses (about 2500 each), and give us good communication and preparation between now and then. If you would like to donate toward their mission, I believe you can make donations at their site www.CalvaryChapelSantaCruz.com, But please pray for the provision as they will need to buy airplain tickets soon.
God bless you and reward your faith as you seek His will and labor in prayer for the great commission! Thank you!
Brenten Powers
P.S. Have you checked out our videos at www.youtube.com/calvarylatvia ?
New videos and other micro-updates are posted also at www.facebook.com/CalvaryLatvia .
More will be uploaded soon.
30 March 2010
April prayer points
1. For the Spirit to annoint the teaching and preaching of the Word to equip the church.
2. For the Father to draw Latvians and Russians to Jesus during our outreaches.
3. For the believers in the church to know Gods will during Latvias financial crisis.
4. For all the married couples in the church, some spouses need salvation.
5. For new believers to keep moving forward as disciples of Christ.
28 February 2010
March prayer requests
The Powers family are visting California for the next month. Therefore please pray...
1. For believers in Calvary Riga, to keep focused on Jesus while services are on hold.
2. For the Powers family while in California, to be prepared for our next year.
3. For support, that more churches and individuals would give financially.
4. For missionaries, that God would call more laborers to help Calvary Latvia.
5. For Latvia, that hardened hearts would be broken over sin and prepared to recieve the gospel.
1. For believers in Calvary Riga, to keep focused on Jesus while services are on hold.
2. For the Powers family while in California, to be prepared for our next year.
3. For support, that more churches and individuals would give financially.
4. For missionaries, that God would call more laborers to help Calvary Latvia.
5. For Latvia, that hardened hearts would be broken over sin and prepared to recieve the gospel.
18 February 2010
Visiting California
We're on furlough California from February 9 thru March 23. I will be sharing about missions and Latvia at a few Calvary Chapels around the Monterey Bay area. If you are in this area, I hope we can meet. Please check my schedule at brenten2010.blogspot.com
My phone number while in California is (831) 210-8891 - Call me!
Thanks,
Brenten
My phone number while in California is (831) 210-8891 - Call me!
Thanks,
Brenten
08 January 2010
New Year's Prayer List
For those who pray for us monthly... Please keep it up, Thank you!
Here's how you can pray for the Powers family and Calvary Latvia in January 2010.
1. Thanksgiving for answered prayer: the move from Ogre to Riga is complete AND our Bible study will continue in Ogre too.
2. For the editing and publishing of our teaching series through the Old Testament to the internet and MP3 CDs.
3. For Sergey and Martin to continue to grow as disciples of Jesus, Praise God for much time spent with them, may they bear much fruit.
4. For the preparation for our furlough (we're coming to California February 9-March 23)
5. For the Lord's vision, grace and wisdom for 2010 that the church may grow in health and reach out more effectively with the gospel.
Here's how you can pray for the Powers family and Calvary Latvia in January 2010.
1. Thanksgiving for answered prayer: the move from Ogre to Riga is complete AND our Bible study will continue in Ogre too.
2. For the editing and publishing of our teaching series through the Old Testament to the internet and MP3 CDs.
3. For Sergey and Martin to continue to grow as disciples of Jesus, Praise God for much time spent with them, may they bear much fruit.
4. For the preparation for our furlough (we're coming to California February 9-March 23)
5. For the Lord's vision, grace and wisdom for 2010 that the church may grow in health and reach out more effectively with the gospel.
12 December 2009
Christmas prayer list
We praise God for providing a cheaper house to rent in the city where our church is being planted (Riga) and a new kindergarden for Caleb that is Christian.
Here are some prayer requests for December 2009:
1. Pray for a smooth transition for our family as we move in December and for God's provision for the extra bills this month.
2. For the future of our Bible study in Ogre, one man who comes offered to have it in his home, but we still need more translators for 2010.
3. For Sergey and Martin to continue to grow as disciples of Jesus, Praise God for much time spent with them, may they bear much fruit.
4. For our evangelism team being formed, for the equipping of the saints for the work of this ministry, pray for the Lord to send out laborers.
5. For the preparation for our furlough (we're coming to California February 9-March 23) that the fellowship will abide in the word while we're gone and for opportunities in California to speak at more churches.
Here are some prayer requests for December 2009:
1. Pray for a smooth transition for our family as we move in December and for God's provision for the extra bills this month.
2. For the future of our Bible study in Ogre, one man who comes offered to have it in his home, but we still need more translators for 2010.
3. For Sergey and Martin to continue to grow as disciples of Jesus, Praise God for much time spent with them, may they bear much fruit.
4. For our evangelism team being formed, for the equipping of the saints for the work of this ministry, pray for the Lord to send out laborers.
5. For the preparation for our furlough (we're coming to California February 9-March 23) that the fellowship will abide in the word while we're gone and for opportunities in California to speak at more churches.
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