The Diaspora Missions Collective, ‘City Of Prayer’ Conference & Why Pastors Struggle To Ask For Help

Refugees and immigrants from all over the world are coming to the U-S.

“The nations are on the move,” John Barnett with Send Relief. “The U.S. has never been more interconnected to other people groups, yet we remain culturally apart.”

Not only is a good time to care for these folks, but it’s a great time to share the hope of Jesus Christ, he says.

Training is a key role of the ministry, he says. Barnett is helping to lead The Diaspora Missions Collective is building a collaborative platform of videos, webinars, training tools and best practices that churches and individuals can access free of charge. It is also offering regional, in-person training events and opportunities for dedicated groups to join cohorts who will unify around the purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with internationals.

Learn more at SendRelief.org.
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Imagine if churches from across your city or community came together to pray for God to stir spiritual awakening in your hometown. That happened in Clarksville, Tennessee this past weekend.

Organizers say more than 100 people attended the event, representing 12 churches and including 10 pastors.

The churches would each dedicate a specific number of people to fill spots during a set period of time. They would all focus on praying that God would bring revival and renewal to their city as they lift up the city’s leaders and the churches within the community.

Kie Bowman led the training for the event. He’s helped lead similar events in his hometown of Austin, Texas.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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Maybe you struggle to get help. Pastors can be guilty of that. In a Baptist Press Toolbox piece, Sam Rainer says pastors can struggle because of:

* The fear of vulnerability. Insecurity can cause someone to think receiving help is a sign of weakness. This fear of being perceived as weak will prompt a pastor to keep others at a distance.

* The veneer of control. When pastors believe they are self-sufficient, asking for help signals they no longer have the strength to be independent.

* The concern of rejection. When you have anxiety, a negative experience can decimate your self-confidence. Asking for help becomes a potential catalyst for a deep sense of rejection.

* The excessiveness of empathy. Some pastors find their value in how well they relate with others. However, excessive empathy causes you to assume the emotions of others before they even have a chance to respond. This pastor does not ask for help, believing the request will burden others.

* The past experiences of being burned. Unfortunately, many pastors have asked for help previously, only to receive poor treatment from their churches. Why risk getting burned again?

* The discouragement of perceived failure. When you don’t believe your leadership has been successful, asking for help can feel like another thing to pile on the heap of failure.

In the piece, he offers ways you might be able to help your pastor. Find them at Baptist Press.com.