2. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. Acts 15
We have already mentioned our cancelled four yearly International Conference in previous prayer material. It had to be cancelled due to the severe restrictions on movement, especially international travel, which have been introduced.
The international advance and coordination of OAC ministry requires more than just a meeting every four years. A number of our workers have been specifically set aside to support the international side of the work, both administratively, which while important is a secondary consideration, but also and most importantly the development of our fields.
We give thanks for our international leadership, which over the past eight years has been presided over by Rob George, from Australia. This year David Proaño, from Ecuador is taking over. Our Presidents, starting with Jim Duffecy, have been gifted leaders and preachers, who led by example and a willingness to sacrifice their own areas of work to support others around the world. And they have often been the bearers of wonderful news of the advance of the gospel in other regions. We are very privileged to have been able to serve under such people.
Give thanks also for men like David Wilson, Robert Siakimotu (also Presidents for eight years), Korky Davey and Ulrich Hofius, our International Evangelists, who have been instrumental in opening up a number of countries each to the ministry of OAC. The Overseas Ministries work has led to extension work in all of our zones and allowed for support mechanisms to be set in place to provide for workers in lands where it is very difficult to raise sufficient support, especially to cover more than living expenses. The need to heavy duty vehicles and mini vans in some countries has been covered through the giving of our supporters in more developed Nations.
Sorry, no photo of our third President, Bob, MacArthur. If anyone out there has one, please send!
The last two photos are of support workers, who attempt to keep the administration and communication services going. A special word of thanks to John Cutlip, who in addition to serving the large work of OAC in the United States, also handles much of the international financial and other matters. Chris bounces your posts around Facebook!
As we move forward, pray for David Proaño as he leads us in the next period, and ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up new international workers. Chip Welton has picked up the mantle from David Wilson, for which we are greatly pleased. pray that the financial and other resources will be made available and that they are able to channel them where needed in the right amounts. In some cases, technical difficulties in transferring money are also an issue.
Pray as the South East Asia Pacific Zone opens its own Overseas Ministries branch to oversee the development of ministry in the Pacific. There’s a lot of ‘over sea’ to be done there, but also millions on the many islands in need of being challenged to accept the gospel.
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