Encompass World Partners

Auburn Grace Community Church in Northern California draws our attention to an important question we often forget to ask: What is my role in global missions? Missions isn’t just about those who goit’s about those who give and those who send. Encouraging those around us to ask, What is my role? is an important step in mobilizing more global workers for the Great Commission.... Enjoy this discussion from GraceConnect, the eNewsletter for the Charis Fellowship, about how we can discover our place in global missions: http://ow.ly/WWjM50DVwKU

Over half of Chad’s 16 million people are unreached. Embroiled in political unrest and violence, they long for peace. We can bring the hope of Jesus to this land. By serving in community development, education, and medical outreach, Encompass staff and partners are bringing the peace and love of Jesus to this north African country. Pray for these outreach efforts. Pray that the people of Chad will experience the true peace of knowing Christ. If God calls you to join us in sharing His gospel with the people of Chad, will you come? Learn More: http://ow.ly/Ahnj50E6CSu

Shout out to the Mobilization Team at Grace Church, Medina East Campus for taking the Path Challenge to get equipped for the task of mobilizing the church for missions! It's not too late for your church to take on the Path Challenge in 2021. By using the books in our Path Series you'll see your church's vision and engagement in God's global mission grow! Sign up now! https://mailchi.mp/encompassworld/pathchallenge Path Series: https://www.pathseries.com/

This month, during Ramadan, we are uniting in prayer for Muslims around the globe. Ramadan is a special 30-day period every year when Muslims of every ethnicity, language, and level of devotion earnestly seek Allah. Our Crisis Response Network is organizing a time of corporate prayer during this crucial month. Let’s pray together that the One True God would reveal Himself to Muslims and draw them to Christ. Learn how you can get involved! http://ow.ly/FZT350E0oZO

In Nigeria, Encompass partners with the Charis Alliance in several agricultural projects that support Nigerian evangelists, pastors, and church planters in their work of sharing the gospel in this least-reached country. Farming and fishing initiatives generate resources that help sustain the local communities and Charis church leaders, supporting evangelism, church planting, and disciple making. Pray that these endeavors are successful and that they further the gospel in Nigeria. You can support these projects! Nigeria Farming: http://ow.ly/3S3i50DTjqS Nigeria Fishing: http://ow.ly/HEfM50DTjsh

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Did you know that Patrick first arrived in Ireland as a slave? Six years later, he escaped and returned to his home in Britainbut not for long. Deeply moved by the spiritual needs of the Irish, he decided to go back. Despite the threat of persecution, he preached the gospel and baptized new believers throughout the nation, obeying Jesus’ mandate to make disciples among the least reached in Ireland. Want to learn more about this beautiful island? Check out this opportunity to explore Dublin: http://ow.ly/vbd850DU9uI

Central African Republic Urgent Prayer Requests The rumblings of war that have been growing in intensity in Bangui came to a head yesterday morning at 4AM Bangui-time (10PM eastern). The following messages are from trusted people on the ground to help inform your prayers: "Please mobilize people to intercede for the CAR. People will starve because the roads to Bangui are closed more than three weeks now and there is a lack of food and daily living items. Things become so ...expensive. Pray that God will bring solutions to the situation we are going through now. Pray that the UN represented in CAR with the Blue Helmut, will help stop the advancing of the armed groups and bring peace." Doctor Augustin Hibaile director of CIDEL & Encompass's Bangui ministry center "Early [yesterday] morning we awoke to heavy gunfire. We have stayed inside all morning. It subsided a little bit but is increasing again this afternoon. This is how they have fought throughout all the provinces. in the C.A.R.-- they fight hard then rest a little before returning to fight again. The main thing is to pray for God's protection." Pastor Cyriaque Kpakpa-Ngate "Please pray for us right now. At this very moment I am writing there is a lot of gunfire at the northern entrance to Bangui at PK12. Pray that God will be merciful to us during this evil time. Thank you for your prayers and messages of comfort during this difficult time." Pastor Isno "It is very difficult for us living near PK12 right now. Since before 5AM [yesterday] morning there is very heavy gunfire and really loud booming noises. We stayed in our house until things quieted down, but then they resurged strongly. It's quiet again so we are sitting outside. Thank you for your prayers for us. Do not worry, my friend." Hand-in-Hand Coordinator Marie-Claire

Merry Christmas from Encompass World Partners! As we reflect on this season’s joys and the wonderful gift we’ve received in Christ, we are spurred on to pursue the Great Commission with even greater fervor as we desire that the whole world experience the hope and joy we have in Jesus. Thank you for your partnership in this endeavor. We wish you the merriest Christmas as you rejoice in our Savior’s love today.

In Cambodia, a land scarred by civil war and genocide and permeated with Buddhism, Christians introduce university students to Jesus. Kakda is the house father of the Grace Center, a dormitory where university students live, work, and learn about Jesus, and a community center where people can study English and experience the hope of the gospel. In this video, Kakda sings a worship song in Englisha beautiful example of the tangible light of faith shining in a dark country. If you would like to help the Grace Center staff continue to impact their community with the light of Jesus, click below to bless them with a financial gift! Give Now: http://ow.ly/ALn750CAMJR

Country Highlight: Brazil After World War II, Protestantism grew rapidly in the historically Catholic country of Brazil. But most Protestant missions didn’t focus on northern Brazil, the first region Encompass World Partners targeted. In 1949, Pastor Keith Altig left his church in Whittier, California, to pioneer work along the Amazon River. Early efforts were slow but successful. As church planting, literacy, and camp programs bore fruit, churches grew and soon extended to ...the more highly populated regions of central and south Brazil. Currently, the Charis Alliance has 32 churches and 26 points of light in Brazil, which is now 24.5% evangelical. Churches are sending out workers to plant more churches, and Encompass is partnering with key leaders in an initiative to extend the gospel up the Amazon River. Pray for unity among churches and leaders as they cooperate in sending workers to least-reached areas of Brazil. Pray for success in raising up Brazilians as workers to other parts of the world.

Christmas Around the World // Poland People in Poland celebrate Christmas, but they don’t understand Jesus’ significance. Despite Catholic influence, less than one in 5,000 people profess Jesus. And even though the Polish word for Christmas means Birth of God, it is more difficult to talk about Christ at Christmas because it is harder to engage people in general. Christmas is an isolated holidayonly family is invited to celebrationsand people begin to withdraw well befor...e Christmas Day. They can invite people to Christmas church services, however, and they use this opportunity to evangelize. Pray that the church in Poland can celebrate in a healthy, connected way. Pray that those encountering Jesus will receive His salvation. For more Christmas traditions and prayer prompts, subscribe to our weekly PrayNow Newsletter! >> http://ow.ly/Xw8c50CI4gx

"We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God." John Stott Our mission is to mobilize, equip, deploy, and nurture multinational teams of disciple-makers who live and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ through engaging in sacrificial service, intentional evangelism, and whole-life discipleship, resulting in the creation of healthy spiritual communities. Learn more about who we are: http://ow.ly/MrYC50CHVZC

Looking for books and resources to read in 2021? Check out our list of resources for training, prayer, missions, stewardship and other relevant topics: http://ow.ly/oZXk50CR0HV

Christmas Around the World // Brazil In Brazil, there are fireworks on Christmas Eve. When Brazilians are happy, they set off fireworksand they have their biggest Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve. Our global teammates share that because people in Brazil are so open, it is easy to start conversations about Jesus. Christmas can present an especially good opportunity to ask them outright, Do you know who Jesus is? Pray that our partners in Brazil will have the chance to share Christ in this season. Pray that Brazilians will encounter Jesus. For more Christmas traditions and prayer prompts, subscribe to our weekly PrayNow Newsletter! >> http://ow.ly/pUaD50CG9E8

The situation in CAR continues to develop. One of our partners there writes: Panic is ensuing in the city [Bangui]. People are running in all directions since the rebels have taken Boali on the west side. We don't know what will happen from the East and the South today. ... Boali is only 90 kilometers outside of Bangui. Your prayers are much needed. Please pray God would protect and give wisdom to our CAR partners in ministry.

Has your church’s unique, God-given potential to reach the nations been UNLOCKED? Join Sixteen:Fifteen for our interactive experienceThe Mobilized Church! Together we will explore SEVEN KEYS to help your church and missions leaders cultivate a vibrant missions culture, unlocking your church’s potential to reach the nations. Learn More: https://1615.org/tmc/