Volunteer of the Month: November 2013

For two years Stu and Mary Lou Hulsebus have been serving with Campers on Mission and we are blessed to have them staying with us for now helping School to the Nations in so many ways. Stu keeps busy with all kinds of building and maintenance projects and Mary Lou helped with International Day along with helping keep our office festive and welcoming to guests.

Stu at the STN Chili Cook-Off in October

Not only does this couple help STN but they are preparing to leave soon for Louisiana and Texas to help other ministries in those areas during the winter months. When asked why they enjoy serving at School to the Nations they replied, "We believe in the ministry and in the vision for the lost." Shortly after becoming Christians, they desired to spend their retired years working for the Lord and feel blessed that God has allowed them to do it.

School to the Nations is incredibly blessed to have Stu and Mary Lou and helping us reach the world for Jesus. They are always a joy to work with and serve with laughter and joy, which is often contagious! They are the parents of three children and are blessed with seven grandchildren! They attend First Evangelical Free Church in Springfield, Mo.

Thank you Stu and Mary Lou Hulsebus for your dedication and countless hours! We honor you this month as our Volunteers of the Month and pray that the Lord richly bless you as you continue to serve Him.

Volunteer of the Month: October 2013

Jim & Shirley at the Jungle Village Celebration in October. 

Most people think of retirement as a chance to rest, relax, and check out from job and duty. School to the Nations is blessed beyond measure that Jim and Shirley Fox do not see it this way. Rather than spend their retirement traveling to exotic places, resting, and not doing much of anything they have chosen to spend their retirement continuing in the Lord's work.

For seven years they have served STN faithfully doing anything from carpentry to weed eating, without complaint and with smiles on their faces. More recently Jim has spent countless hours on helping complete our Jungle Training Village on campus. Jim and Shirley serve with a ministry called Campers on Mission which means they live in their camper and serve full-time as volunteers for our ministry.

"They love Christ and the Kingdom and truly have served the cause of the Gospel on a 

daily basis. What a joy and example of growing older in Grace." 

-Randy Copeland (STN Founder/Director) 

"Jim & Shirley are a godly example of what it means to serve Christ on a daily basis. 

Their consistency and faithfulness are an inspiration to all of us at School to the Nations."

 -Jackie Arnold (Office Administrator) 

Jim & Shirley are blessed with six children, 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren! They are avid St. Louis Cardinals fans as well. Jim loves photography and Shirley enjoys doing crafts. They are members of Starling Road Baptist Church.

Thank you Jim & Shirley for your passion to reach the unreached and for using your gifts to help School to the Nations. This month we honor your hard work and dedication!

God Has Gone Before Us: Botswana Fall 2013

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:8

     This scripture came alive as we entered Botswana. Every place we turned we could clearly see that the Lord had been working and we were honored to join His work there. Last year we met a young, small body of deaf believers in Southern Botswana; this year we met a thriving, large body of deaf believers who had changed spiritually to a degree that was visible physically. They anticipated time to learn God’s word, they go out and share God’s story and they come back to church with a few new friends in tow. We were able to spend several days encouraging the church and training on communicating the Gospel clearly and effectively.Our time at the church left us encouraged and excited for all that the Lord will do with these faithful believers in the coming year.

     After our time at the church, we traveled up North. We saw the Lord going before us in a different way. Up north we had formative contacts and no deaf church established. The Lord provided contacts for us and we were able to find two new schools for the deaf where we built relationships with the leaders of these schools. We also returned to the primary school in Maun that had become like home last year. We were burdened for the teachers as there were now only 2 teachers for all 7 grade levels. We continued to speak God’s promise over the place “do not be afraid or discouraged…He will neither fail nor abandon you.” By the end of our time there we saw the Lord developing understanding in the lives of the students, the teachers regaining a small glimmer of hope for their weary souls, and the team resting in the knowledge that we serve a God faithful to all his promises.

We pray that the church in Botswana would soon become a sending church. That they would go out to the far corners of their country, the countries around them and beyond. They have a commitment to God’s word, a insatiable hunger to know more and a humble posture as they share the good news. Please join us in praying for how we can be an encouragement and resource as this body begins to live out the great commission so that the Deaf worldwide may understand and receive God’s glorious grace.

(Post written by a School to the Nations Staff Member who led this outreach)

A Work in Progress: Asian Training Village Update

We are anticipating a finished project as the Asian Village is coming along. So many people have put in countless hours of work and skill into creating an incredible place where future teams traveling to this type of culture will have the cultural experience before going overseas. We foresee many wonderful nights of worship and learning in this training village. Please join us in praying for the future of this facet of School to the Nation's mission in training the next generation to reach the unreached for the Glory of Jesus! Pictures of the progress: 

Breaking ground and placing the poles. 

Working up high! 

Framing the Walls

Roof and walls nearing completion 

Walls nearly complete along with the roof

This guy has given countless hours to this project, thanks Jim! 

Most current picture, front entry way complete! 

Thank you to everyone who has a had a part in designing and constructing this project! It will be a great tool as we continue to reach the nations for Jesus. 

On the Field: Southern Africa Deaf Team

Please be in prayer for our team working with the deaf in Southern Africa for the next several days! We look forward to a great report of lives changed and God's Kingdom advanced among this unreached people group. 

Prayer Points: 
-Safety and Protection of our team 
-Clear vision and wisdom as they share The Story with many people 
-Open doors into schools and communities where they can share 
-Strong relationships between our team and the national brothers and sisters 
-Great rest each night as they are working long days of ministry 

Thank you for joining with us as we watch the Gospel spread among the unreached across the world! 

To join the email updates for this outreach please email: theabicopeland(at)gmail(dot)com 

Recommended Read: God is Doing Something Historic by David Garrison

An excerpt from Garrison’s book, A Wind in the House of Islam, this article, entitled God is Doing Something Historic, explains the astounding movement of God’s hand upon the Muslim people throughout the world. Those interested in history will appreciate Garrison’s grasp on the movements of Christianity in Muslim areas since the Colonial era.  Anyone with their heart on the Great Commission will be challenged and excited by the staggering fact that “more than 86 percent of all the Muslim movements to Christ… have occurred in the last 12 years.”

Garrison presses in on the fact that now, more than ever, is the time to mobilize and spread the Gospel into the dark places where Islam has had its 1,000 year reign. As Garrison puts it, these movements are not and will not be isolated to “one or two corners of the world,” but that “In Africa, in the Persian World, in the Arab World, in Turkestan, in South Asia and in Southeast Asia, something is happening, something historic, something unprecedented.” 

Educate yourself more about God's sovereign plan for the lost and broken! Read “God is Doing Something Historic” at missionfrontiers.org. Garrison's book is slated to come out at the end of this year. To learn more about the book itself, visit WindintheHouse.org.

We at School to the Nations highly recommend Mission Frontiers’s articles on this and other issues. To read more articles about God’s hand on the people of Islam, visit Mission Frontiers’s July/August 2013 issue entitled “A Historic Wind is Blowing Through the House of Islam” 

*All quotations are taken directly from linked article*

Focus on the Unreached: International Day 2013

 Close to 600,000 international students come to study in the United States each year. This opens an opportunity for missions that we do not often have. We now have untold opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with foreign students who previously could only be reached by long-term missionaries. This year, School to the Nations gets another opportunity to reach over 400 students from all over the world, connecting them with local businesses, community, and campus ministries. 

 The idea of International Day came about when Randy and Maureen were working with inner-city missions, hosting teenagers at what is now the School to the Nations campus. Randy had a deep sense from the Lord that one day the influence of the campus would expand to host and reach the nations. In 2007, he attended classes with Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, where he met new friends who were already involved with international students and were in need of a place that could host those students. That autumn, the first event took place, and over 100 international students were ministered to and welcomed.

Globalization has caused an unprecedented intermingling of cultures in the last several decades.  Nations from all over the world are coming to the United States and Europe seeking education and a better life.  As such, the opportunities for cross-cultural ministry abound just by walking out the door.  God’s sovereign hand provides this opportunity to do his work. It's like the Lord told us to go to the world and gave us all these resources, but we instead chose to stay and enjoy the comforts of America. "Well," God says, "if you won't go to them, I'll just bring them to you. Is this close enough?" 

This authentic welcome requires a lot of help. Each year we are blessed with new volunteers, whose hearts are full of Christ and ready to share and have community with these students. We can impact the world right here in our backyard because the world sends their best and brightest right to our doorstep. Please join us in this! You have a unique opportunity to pray for them, love on them, share your life and faith with them. Let them see what your life, family, and faith is all about. See what God will do. Send them back with a vision to reach their own country for Christ. When these students come to know Christ, are discipled, and return home, they become missionaries in their own right. But instead of reaching a people foreign to them, they are reaching their friends and family.

Welcomers are people who are especially good at reaching out people of different cultures while remaining at home.  This should be part and parcel for believers in their own sphere of influence.  Reaching and discipling international students is possibly the most strategic mission in God's Kingdom today for fulfilling the Great Commission. Alongside campus ministries which work constantly to reach and disciple hundreds of students, International Day volunteers are a vital part of welcoming! Will you join us on August 15th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in welcoming these students for God's glory? We are especially in need of volunteers to help prepare food for these students the day of the event, starting around 2 p.m. at a nearby church. If you are interested in helping with this or any other part of International Day 2013, please contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@stnations.com -- she would be so blessed to hear from you as this event draws near!

“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.’” Revelation 5:9

Even if you can't make it to the event, we would be so blessed by your prayers and/or financial help. To take part in prayer for this upcoming event or to provide financial support, please contact Randy at randy@stnations.com . 

July Volunteers of the Month: Larry and Josh Stevens

Larry and Josh working on the Asian Village

For the past few months a group of men have been working hard at designing and building our newest addition to our U.S. Base Campus, our Asian Village Training Center. Two of these men, Larry and Josh Stevens (father and son) are both custom home builders and have grabbed hold of the vision that the Lord has placed in their hearts to reach the nations using the gifts that God has given them. We are so thankful to have these men as critical members of this crew as they not only have the skills needed to construct such a project but also they both grasp why School to the Nations exists.

The Stevens Family

In their free time, Josh enjoys bow hunting and is a competitive bow shooter while Larry enjoys fishing and boating. When asked why enjoy serving for STN they said, "We have a heart to see people come to Jesus and we both want to make a greater impact with our gifts...to serve with our building skills to help reach the nations for Christ." Pictured on the left with Larry's wife Melody, and both sons (Josh and Jared) the Stevens are members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO and live in Republic, MO. 

Proverbs 22:29 says, "Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? He will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons." These two men are experts in their business and are using all that they have to help future mission teams prepare to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Thank you Larry and Josh for your commitment to Christ's calling and for using your gifts to reach to the ends of the earth!

May Volunteers of the Month: Bethany Webster & Hanelle Reeder

School to the Nations believes that every gift can be used to impact the world for the Glory of Jesus. We are blessed to have volunteers with a variety of God-given gifts and talents who are using them to be involved in missions and in carrying out the call that the Lord has placed on their lives. 

This month we want to honor two women who are using the gift of dance to proclaim the message of Jesus. Bethany Webster and Hanelle Reeder recently choreographed and performed a dance at our Sowers & Fields Festival at Remington's in April. It was a joy to see these women dance with such skill and passion! 

The Webster Family

Bethany Webster is a close family friend of the Copeland's and has been involved here and there with School to the Nations over the course of the ministry's development. She has traveled with STN to Africa and has a sincere servant's heart. She is the wife of Jacob Webster and they have two children, Landon (5) and Storri (3) and a third baby on the way! They attend Revolution Church in Nixa. She works at VIP Hair Studio in Nixa where she uses her gifts not only to cut and style hair but to impact her community by offering great service as a means to share the love of Jesus. She has been involved with dance for many years whether teaching, choreographing, or dancing herself. What an inspiration to see Bethany dance with such passion! 

Hanelle Reeder

Hanelle Reeder came to School to the Nations through our college house church that meets weekly during the school year. Originally from Nixa she is one of eight children in her family and other than dancing enjoys painting, violin, and piano. She is a member of the Petra Ballet Company and attends Parkcrest Baptist Church. Hanelle has always wanted to dance for the Lord and feels that it is a huge part of her ministry. She loves the work that STN is doing and appreciates that Randy and the staff are so real! Hanelle has a hunger for the Living Word of God and it was an honor to watch as she used her gifts for the Glory of Jesus.

We are grateful for Bethany and Hanelle's part in making our April event a success and most of all for welcoming us into the presence of the Lord through dance. We pray that they continue to use their gifts for His glory! If you know these ladies, take some time to bless them with your words and know that these two ladies are living testimonies of God's specific gifting all for His Glory. 

Sowers & Field Festival - April 2013

 Thank you Bethany and Hanelle for your work and service not only for School to the Nations but for the Lord! 

Focus on the Unreached: The Hidden People of West Africa

This month's Focus on the Unreached showcases one of the first people groups adopted by School to the Nations: the Hidden people of  West Africa.

Adoption of the Fulanke

Learn.

First off, let's review the definition of "people groups": it comes from the Biblical term "nations" and refers to a distinct people who are connected through a common tongue. The significance of reaching the nations is based in Revelation 5:9, which tells us that every tribe and every tongue will be represented in God's Kingdom.

The Hidden are spread throughout dozens of villages in a West African country but share a common tongue. These kind and gentle people face drought and famine daily, and are oppressed under the ideas of folk Islam and animism. The Hidden people are in great need of being loved in truth and in deed. We have begun compassion projects of medical aid and BioSand filters for well water in the past and hope to continue those works in the future.  Their part of West Africa is currently experiencing serious political turmoil and we haven’t been able to do an outreach since January  of 2012. We have not been able to take trips there and we anticipate moving back into these areas as we sense the Spirit and it is safe.

School to the Nations adopted the Hidden in 2006 and had many outreach trips to West Africa since then. When we first arrived, there were no known believers within the 50 or so Hidden people villages, but God drew several Hidden people to Himself on our first outreach. The first Hidden believers were baptized during the winter of 2010-2011.  Since then, the number of believers has grown and an indigenous pastor has been growing the church and making disciples. The church is small and based on land that was given to the pastor by his chief; he and his family serve and live there. School to the Nations is aiding this young pastor in finishing Bible school so that he is even better equipped to spread the Gospel among the villages. He is in need of a motorbike so that he can travel throughout the villages efficiently.

Pray.

-That the funds needed for a motorbike for the indigenous pastor will be provided. Contact Randy at schooltothenations@gmail.com if you’d like to learn more about this need.

- For the elections in July to produce new national leadership that will stabilize the nation.

- For the current believers to be strengthened and begin a church-planting movement among the villages.

- For a continued and strengthened Intercessory Prayer Movement. This movement is at the forefront of our efforts and the Hidden people are a key group in our prayers. If you’d like more information about this movement, please contact us at stn.intercession@gmail.com

Stories from the Field: Real Compassion

This post comes from a personal newsletter from a STN Staff Member. 

A lady from the village hobbled towards our camp with her husband. As she lifted her shirt, we could see that she suffered severe burns down the entire right side of her body. Our medical team began to uncover the damage and found that the wounds exceeded our capabilities. The team did all they could medically and shared the peace of Christ with the couple.

Nearby a group of believers met for discipleship. By divine appointment, our team leader had decided to share on the story of the Good Samaritan. As he shared and discussed how the church should respond to the needs of the hurting around them, he turned to see the woman who had come and called the church to be the “good Samaritan”. Out of their nothingness, the church pulled their resources to get the woman the treatment she needed. Overwhelmed by Christ’s story and the love she had experienced, her and her husband gave their life to Christ. 

Jesus asked "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

Luke 10 (NASB)

Rain In The Desert

As Tom* entered the village deep in the Sub-Sahara desert the reality of his surroundings caused his heart to beat faster. The eyes of the Kagoro people watched as his team's bus arrived and the village children greeted them with, "Tubabu! Tubabu!" (which means white person in their native tongue).  According to tribal customs he led the team to greet the elders of the village who then led them to the Chief. After the normal exchange of greetings, he discovered the extreme hardship that this village currently faced. 

Drought. 

For months it had not rained, and now in the middle of March still three months away from their rainy season the people had little hope of a refreshing rain anytime soon.  The anguish relayed in the conversations he had with the Chief about the drought spoke of a life seeped in folk Islam and Animism. Here was a village full of people who had no hope. 

"How can we pray for you and your village?" he asked the Chief. 

The Chief replied, "We know that you are followers of Jesus. We would also choose to follow Him if He could make it rain."

Struggling not with the question of could God make it rain, Tom stepped back spent time in prayer and asked the question, "Will God make it rain?" Amazingly enough earlier that morning as he was reading Scripture a verse in Psalms jumped out of his page, "May He come down like rain upon mown grass, like showers that water the Earth." 

Notes in his Bible found at Psalms 72:6 

With little faith, he and his team were in agreement that they would pray together and leave the results to God. They were challenged in a new way, would God send rain among the Kagoro? 

"God make it rain, please." 

Continuing on their travel to another unreached people group, Tom and his team traveled eight more hours to a remote village deeper in the Sub-Sahara to set up camp and sleep for the night. As he laid down to sleep he mentioned to his team, "I smell rain in the air," and it was the truth! He immediately began to wonder if it was just him wanting to believe or if God truly was sending rain. 

As he fell asleep Tom was awaken to the drops of rain, and not just a few drops but a full-on downpour. For fifteen minutes it rained, then stopped, then continued on for another fifteen minutes. 

God sent rain! Had the Kagoro, who were eight hours away, witnessed this miracle?

A year would pass before he was able to return to that Kagoro village. He spent the entire year praying for that village Chief, wondering if he remembered the miracle of rain and his promise to follow Jesus as a result. During that year in his own Bible study Tom came across Jeremiah 14:22, "Are there any among the idols of the nations who give rain? Or can the heavens grant showers? Is it not You, O Lord our God? Therefore we hope in you, for You are the One who has done all these things." It was this verse that he shared with the Chief when he returned a year later. 

"Do you remember what you said to us on that day a year ago?" he asked the Chief. 

"Yes, I do," the Chief replied. 

"Did you witness the rain that day?" he continued to ask. 

"Yes, we did," the Chief again replied. 

An open door was created and before the team left that day new believers came to Christ and the village now has Christ followers among them for the first time. 

Just like rain brings life to dry ground, God's rain brought eternal life to those without hope among the Kagoro people! 

**If you'd like to hear more stories from the field subscribe to our blog and to our monthly newsletter. 

Email theabicopeland(at)gmail(dot)com for more information.**

*Name changed to maintain security and protection of our School to the Nations team member

Lifting the Fog: A New Field in Southeast Asia

A new adventure and a new day are beginning for School to the Nations as we live out our mission statement to “Penetrate the final frontiers for the glory of Jesus by mobilizing the next generation to the Nations.” Recently, we sent a group of twelve people to Asia for two purposes, one to work with University Students and two to explore a new mission field in L country. Three of our leadership staff, partnering with the IMB traveled into this country in order to find possible inroads for future efforts to penetrate the unengaged, unreached people in this region. They were told that they were the first Caucasians that these people had ever seen! We believe that these are God-ordained relationships with the people here and our team was captivated by the surreal environment they experienced:

“Nestled on the side of a mountain in the extreme upper highlands, is a long house, living in this house are precious people created in the image of God. Shut off completely to any knowledge of God and the access to even hearing of the mercy of their Creator found in Jesus. These people live in fear and seek to appease the spirits and because of some communist ideology, extreme mountainous terrain, animistic worldview, and Buddhism permeating every aspect of their lives a fog covers their eyes that must be lifted, much like the fog rises each morning from the valleys.”

Our team was successful in creating lasting relationships with key figures in this region and potential creative access inroads with the government. The future is hopeful, as this new field has opened up! During their visit they came in contact with two specific unengaged people groups that we will identify as "the mountain people." Both of these people groups are in desperate need of the Gospel, and School to the Nations along with a local church are fully engaged into a strategic long-term church planting movement among these precious people.

In the midst of the first contact they were able to clearly see the governing hand of God by giving them favor with key contacts and government approval to be in this region, something that cannot be handled carelessly. We must be as strategic and as creative as we have ever been to continue a healthy relationship with those in L country. So where do we go from here?

As with any unengaged, unreached people group the mountain people will not be reached unless the church marshals a strong prayer strategy. We, the body of Christ, the church must pray that the fog that blurs their spiritual eyes be lifted, and only by the power of the Cross. Missions among the unengaged and unreached are more about prayer than they are about strategy; prayer produces strategy, but prayer must supersede all efforts.

Will you join School to the Nations in praying Ephesians 1:18, as we begin a prayer movement for the mountain people in L country?

 “I pray that the eyes of you heart will be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his  glorious inheritance in his holy people and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV

**For more on what an “unengaged & unreached” people group is, read this article from the latest issue of Mission Frontier: “The Most Abomidable “Word”.”

Botswana Outreach 2012 Recap - "In that day the deaf will hear..."

"In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, 

and out of doom and darkness the 

eyes of the blind will see." 

Isaiah 29:18 

After many days of traveling, dirt, long days, and more dirt our Botswana team returned to the States full of amazing stories of all that the Lord did during their mission. It would be impossible to share each and every story, but hopefully by highlighting some of the major ones you will see a glimpse of what it is like to be on the field, and to see those who have never heard, hear for the first time and decide to follow Christ. 

It is important to highlight that this team did not fly overseas to work in a different culture completely unprepared. In fact, this team completed 6 months of missional training at the School to the Nations Training Center where they were trained in every aspect from cross-cultural living to storying the Bible with non-believers. The high quality training was evident once in Botswana as the team worked hard, stayed unified, and were prepared for the shock of being in a different culture. 

Here is a brief recap of their trip...

The first city they worked in was a smaller one outside of the capitol city, Gaborone. Here they shared the Gospel with hundreds of deaf children and teenagers along with teachers and staff members at a residential deaf school. Our team was creative with their presentation of the Gospel and shared in many unique ways. Not only did they share with the students but they also had a chance to bless and honor the teachers who sacrifice so much to work with these students each day. Our team included two educators and they were able to connect and relate in many ways in order to bring hope and encouragement in the Word of God. 

The next stop was in the city of Maun which is in northern Botswana. A school of 900 children (deaf and hearing) sat here, and the team was welcomed with a song from the students: 

During their time in Maun, the team met a 17 year old boy (far left in this picture) who was deaf due to the medication he was given to treat HIV. After hearing the Gospel message, this boy gave his life to Christ! Also at this school, the headmaster gave his life to Christ as well. He told the team that his family had been praying for him to receive Christ, and that prayer was answered and the team was honored to be a part of his decision! Our team also hosted a dinner to honor the teachers and staff members at this school and it was a special time of encouragement for each of these teachers. 

After finishing in Maun, they traveled a LONG days travel in 110 degree weather (missions are not for the weak!) on a bus to Francistown with no air conditioning. Once they arrived they were welcomed into Francistown Center for Deaf Education where they were able to share the Gospel and show the children's version of the Jesus Film. Many children heard the Gospel for the first time and many seeds were planted! One 23 year old man gave his life to Christ! 

Their next stop was back to the capitol, Gaborone, where at a bus stop they saw some men standing around playing pool. One of the team members started a conversation with them, shared the Gospel, and 11 of these men accepted Christ right there at the bus stop! What a wonderful picture illustrating that God orchestrates divine appointments! These men were not even from Botswana, they had crossed the border from Zimbabwe. Praise God for bringing our team to these men at just the right time. 

Overall SIXTEEN people came to Christ during the teams trip in Botswana and many seeds were planted among children, teenagers, and adults that will hopefully be the beginning of many coming to Christ among the deaf community. The future is bright for our partnership in Botswana. Our team met with the President of the Baptist Convention in Botswana, Benjamin Kabika, who is excited about the future partnering of School to the Nations and Ridgecrest Baptist Church among the deaf in his country. This trip established clear and strategic inroads for future work to evangelize and disciple the deaf. 

Thank you to our wonderful team, who worked hard, stayed positive, and made lasting impacts on the children and adults they met. Thank you to Ridgecrest Baptist Church for partnering with us in taking the Gospel to the deaf. Thank you to our prayer partners and financial supporters who were a part of this team as they lifted us in prayer each day! 

To God be the glory for all that He has done and will continue to do among the deaf around the world! 

Outreach Update: The deaf shall hear...

Our team is doing well and as of today have had three come to Christ through their sharing, storying, and showing the Jesus film! Praise the Lord for seeds that have been planted and for all that He is beginning to do among the deaf in Southern Africa. These are the most unreached of the unreached, and the Lord is beginning a new work among these people so in need of God's love. 

Please continue joining us in prayer for the team and that God will continue to grant them favor among the leaders in the schools they are working in and that many more will come to Christ as they tell students, teachers, and the community about Jesus for the first time. 

The deaf are hearing of God's love and gift of salvation!!

Students hearing the Gospel message for the first time! Pray that these seeds will take root and that mighty oaks of righteousness will begin to grow among the deaf in Southern Africa. 

For daily updates via email please email theabicopeland(at)gmail(dot)com. 

Training Report: Botswana Team

Last Saturday we spent the day training our team headed to Southern Africa (Botswana) to work with the deaf people in that area later this month! Our Extreme Adventure Challenge Course is a great way to build team unity, learn each other's strengths and weaknesses, and come together as one unit in preparation for the upcoming trip.

Many of our team members are deaf, and we are excited to see how God uses their gifts to cross cultural barriers and minister to the deaf in Botswana, who in many ways are just like them. We saw clearly as they conquered the ropes course on Saturday that communication comes in many different forms, and when a team has a unified goal, anything can be accomplished.

Please join us in prayer for the team as they prepare to leave. Pray for their families they are leaving at home, for their jobs, for their protection, and for their ministry while they are in Africa.

If you would like to join the prayer update list please email theabicopeland(at)gmail(dot)com or visit here for a specific prayer guide for the trip: Prayer Guide 

October Outreach Prayer Guide

Join us in praying for team partnering with us from Ridgecrest Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Midland, TX traveling to South Africa in October. 

If you would like to be on the email list for trip updates and prayer request please email: theabicopeland(at)gmail(dot)com

Click Here to View & Download the Prayer Guide 

“Strengthen the feeble hands,

steady the knees that give way, say

to those with fearful hearts, “Be

strong, do not fear; your God will

come … Then will the eyes of the

blind be opened and the ears of

the deaf unstopped.”

~Isaiah 35:3-5