Major Earthquake in Turkey and Syria, NAMB Leadership Institute & Evangelism Needs Prayers

A pair of earthquakes and a series of aftershocks have devastated portions of Turkey and Syria.

According to the BBC, more than 2,300 people were known to have been killed by the quakes by noon CST on Monday (Feb. 6).

The significant quakes registered at 7.8 and 7.5 on the Richter Scale. The quake center was in southern Turkey. Aftershocks could be felt in Israel, more than 600 miles away.

Send Relief, the compassion ministry of the SBC, has set up an information and donation page at SendRelief.org.
IMB President Paul Chitwood urges Christians to pray.

1. Pray for local search teams

2. Pray for those needing shelter

3. Pray for those grieving the loss of loved

4. Pray for those displaced during the cold of winter

5. Pray for believers to have ministry opportunities

6. Pray for Send Relief and responding partners as they have opportunities to help
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Dozens of pastors came together Jan. 24-25 for a two-day coaching session through the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) Leadership Institute. The twice annual event provides in-person time for pastors and coaches who are participating in year-round cohorts with eight to twelve other pastors led by a more tenured pastor.

NAMB launched the institute in early 2020, right before the pandemic upset the flow of how churches operate. During that stretch, groups of pastors were able to communicate during monthly calls to help one another navigate that unprecedented season.

NAMB Leadership Institute cohorts last for two years, and participants meet in person twice a year in Alpharetta where they worship, listen to sermons and panels as well as meet for much of the time with their cohort for group coaching.
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Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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In a First Person on Baptist Press, Texas pastor Todd Kaunitz says believers need prayer more than they need pragmatic strategies when it comes to evangelism.

Drawing from Luke and Acts he says:

Jesus’ life and ministry were empowered by the Holy Spirit through prayer.
We see Jesus consistently withdrawing to pray. One significant moment happened when Jesus was fasting and praying for 40 days. Upon His return, Jesus begins His ministry. Every time Jesus went away to pray, He was then led by the Spirit to proclaim the gospel. Life on mission is never accomplished by human effort, but by the Holy Spirit as we seek Him in prayer.

Prayer mobilizes people toward evangelism.

The effectiveness of evangelism happens through the Holy Spirit in prayer.

In Luke 24:46–49, Jesus calls His disciples to be gospel witnesses to all nations. But in v.49, He tells them they must wait before they go. Wait for what? For the Holy Spirit to “clothe them with power from on high.” Luke recalls this in Acts 1 when Jesus says they need to receive the power of the Holy Spirit to become His witnesses (v.8) and, again, in Acts 2 when the result of their 10-day prayer meeting was receiving the gift and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Our methods might be helpful, but they are not powerful. They may be useful, but they are not substitutes for the Holy Spirit.

Praying for the lost leads to sharing with the lost.

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