12 Words calendars – out now

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Jeremy

If you’ve ordered our Christmas cards, you’ll already have noticed the offer on the back: all those who receive a card from you can order a free 2012 calendar from us. It’s a little gift from us to your friends and family, and a creative way of starting conversations about the Bible.

The calendars are inspired by our 12 Words project, which challenges people to tell the story of the Bible in just 12 words. It’s a real conversation starter and we’ve had a number of events based around the challenge, including the Bible trail at Bristol Cathedral, and an artist in residence at the Christian Resources Exhibition last year.

With 12 words, and the year 2012, the project lends itself to a calendar. Each month has a word from the series, a striking image illustrating that word, and a verse that places the word in the context of the Bible’s story.

You don’t have to receive a Christmas card to get a calendar – you can order them from us too. Just call 020 7730 2155, or email uk@sgmlifewords.com, and we’ll get them in the post to you.

(If you’d like to order SGM Lifewords Christmas cards, act fast – we’re now halfway through our limited edition run. Click here to order yours today.)

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Pavement Project on UCB Radio

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Jeremy

Pavement Project director Clenir Dos Santos visited from Brazil recently. While in the UK she managed a speaking tour around several churches, and also recorded an interview or two for the radio.

Here is Clenir on Paul Hammond’s show on UCB, talking about her experiences working with children at risk.

Click here to play the interview, or right click to download it and play it later.

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Building Pavement Project in East Africa

Posted on November 13, 2011 by James
Pavement Project workshop in the DRC

Pavement Project workshop in the DRC

Peter Mkolesia, General Director for Lifewords in Africa writes “We are humbled by the way God has continued to bless the work of Pavement Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This week, please join us in praying for all those working to improve the lives of children in this country.”

  • Since Pavement Project was launched in the DRC, over forty Congolese children have been counselled using the unique Picture Me process. Please pray that these children will commit their lives to Christ and experience the transformation that can come only through him.
  • Last month, Lifewords’ staff conducted a follow up visit to Pavement Project partners in Uganda to check on their progress and discuss their plans for the future. Please pray for all the new organisations that will be partnering with Lifewords in Africa over the coming year.
  • Since July, Lifewords’ staff have conducted Pavement Project Training Workshops in Kinshasa, Nairobi and Kisumi, adding an extra 32 workers to the work of the mission. Please keep these new workers in your prayers over the coming months.
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Literature ministry update

Posted on November 6, 2011 by James
Taping up boxes of booklets

Taping up boxes of booklets

SGM Lifewords’ Bible booklets and leaflets are being used every day, all around the world; please pray for the witness of God’s Word wherever it’s shared.

  • Last month we wrote about a Lifewords’ partner who was using our booklets in their work with Somalian refugees. In addition to those from Somalia, the workers are now reporting they are encountering refugees from the Congo,Rwanda and the Sudan. Please pray that God’s Word will bring light and hope to those in such a desperate situation.
  • In the UK we’ve had great response to our new Christmas cards, and it’s been exciting to hear how supporters intend to use them in outreach, alongside older seasonal favourites such as Meet The Cast and The Christmas Story. Pray that they would be used to introduce a wider audience to God’s Word this Christmas.
  • Also in the UK, we have a new calendar available for 2012, exploring the whole story of the Bible through 12 words. The calendars will be available to order in the next few weeks. Please pray that will inspire fresh perspective on the Bible, inspire enthusiasm for Scripture, and get people talking about God’s Word. (For more on the calendar, see www.12words.org)
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Following the good shepherd: a prayer reflection for November

Posted on October 30, 2011 by James

“Then Jesus told them, ’This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Matthew 26:31 (NIV)

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reading through the accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection. One of the things that has struck me is the contribution of the disciple’s behaviour to the story. Firstly, we have the betrayal by Judas, then the scattering of the disciples and finally Peter’s denial whilst Jesus’ is being questioned.

The truth is that despite all our protestations to the contrary, we’re all exactly like Peter. One minute we’re promising to walk beside Jesus to the end of our days, the next we’re denying we even know him. Whether it’s before friends, family or co-workers, we can all find our faith wilting under the intensity of their questions.  And yet help is always at hand.

In his letter to the Hebrews, the author shares the following encouragement with his readers: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.” Hebrew 4:15 (NIV). In Jesus, we have someone who understands our human condition and is able to able to help us overcome our failings and live whole heartedly for him. Restored and utterly forgiven we are then fit to strike out together in the service of our Lord.

Peter Mkolesia
Lifewords in Africa. 

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Lifewords in India

Posted on October 30, 2011 by James

Serah Thomas, Pavement Project Coordinator for India writes, “With several new training sessions planned for the next few weeks, please join us in praying for the work of the mission and the wider church in India.

  • Give thanks for the latest Pavement Project training in partnership with Caruna Bal Vikas, the India wing of Compassion. Please join us in praying for the 11 new workers, that God will strengthen them as they integrate Pavement Project into their work with children-at-risk.
  • Please continue to pray for the work of Pavement Project in India. Pray that God will grant us the partners and the provisions to expand our work in this region, for “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:2 (NIV)
  • The persecution of Christians in India is once again showing signs of being on the rise. Many pastors have been arrested and some house churches have been threatened with closure. Pray that all our brothers and sisters inIndiamight remain free to worship the Lord in peace.
Posted in Partners, Pavement Project, Prayer news, Transform | 2 Comments

Resourcing refugee ministry in East Africa

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Jeremy

Sammy Kamore from Lifewords in Africa writes, “The ongoing drought in Sub-Saharan Africa continues to have a huge impact on the surrounding region, with over 400,000 Somalians and other nationals displaced from their homes. This week, please join us in praying for those affected by the crisis, and also for the wider work of Lifewords in Africa.”

  • In September we received requests for material in languages for Somalia and Sudan, especially for use with refugees. One missionary came to collect a large supply of booklets as she was returning to work in camps in Northern Kenya and just across the border in Somalia. Please pray that she will be able to bring light and hope to those who are suffering, through the comfort of God’s Word.
  • Last month, 160 people were killed when petrol leaking from a damaged pipe set fire to a slum in an industrial region of Nairobi. Many people were hospitalised and a large number lost friends, homes and families. Please join us in praying for all those affected by this tragedy, that they would come to know the comfort of God.
  • We have had so many opportunities to minister God’s Word to children and young people through our Pavement Project and Choose Life programmes this year – in Kenya, Uganda, and DRC. Praise God for this faithfulness. And please pray that through this work, young people would experience the power of God in their lives.
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Looking ahead to 2012

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Jeremy

Pray with us as we look ahead to Christmas, and to 2012 and beyond.

  • This week SGM Lifewords’ global leadership team (drawn from around the world) is meeting in the UK. The team will be meeting with the UK Council for a time, and praying and planning for 2012 and beyond. Please pray for wisdom, unity, and a clear sense of God’s leading.
  • In the UK, adverts will be in Christian publications this month and next, featuring SGM Lifewords’ Christmas material. This year’s range includes Christmas cards (as well as booklets, and downloadable resources). Please pray that the adverts will catch people’s eye, and encourage some to share the Bible with a friend for the first time.
  • In the latest issue of Interact, you may have seen the sketches for the updated version of You Matter – telling the story of the prodigal son. With the artist just finishing his work, please pray for the final stages of design and print of this booklet, and pray ahead for its impact as it’s made available and put to use.
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New opportunities for global ordering

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Jeremy
Stacks of booklets

Zbiginew Szalbot from SGM Lifewordsin Europe writes: “We are thankful to God for all that we continue to receive from his hand. With our new Global Bible Resources website now up and running, we are looking forward to the opportunities it offers us to share God’s Word and equip Christians around the world.”

  • Since the launch of the Global Bible Resources website, we’ve been greatly encouraged to see new orders coming from countries as far afield as Australia, Sri Lanka and Paraguay. Pray that through this initiative God’s Word will be shared with others who have never heard it before.
  • As part of the Global Bible Resources Project, SGM Lifewords is committed to producing new resources in a range of strategic languages. Last month we told you that we’d translated two resources (Jesus: An Introduction and Day by Day) into Portuguese, Chinese and Ukrainian. Now both booklets have also been completed in Vietnamese. Pray that those who order these booklets will find great opportunities to share them, and use them to bring a ’word in season’.
  • In last month’s edition of Interact, we asked for help in finding translators for several key languages. We’d had an overwhelming response to the request, so thank you to all who replied. We still need someone to work on some French translations, so please pray that God would provide the right person for the role.
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The challenge of Mexico

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Jeremy

Cleisse Andrade, Pavement Project Coordinator for Latin America writes, “Mexico is one of the biggest challenges for Pavement Project, and a context where we’re praying to see a real work of the gospel. 22% of the population is under 19 years old; domestic violence is reported in more than 50% of households; and more than 2.3 million children between 6 and 14 years are out of school. We would like to invite you to pray this week for the development of Pavement Project in Mexico”

  • Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world. Lifewords is running our first Pavement Project Worker Training Workshop there next month (7th to 11th November). Please pray for the organisations that will partner with us; for God’s blessing on the workers who will be trained; and for the children who will hear the message of Jesus’ love and welcome for them through the Bible stories workers tell.
  • In Acapulco, Pavement Project partners are facing a lot of problems with violence and insecurity caused by drug dealers. A few weeks ago a youth attending the Sobre el Puente (‘On the bridge’) project, where our facilitator works, was killed. Please pray for protection for all children, adolescents and young people living on the streets, many of whom are the most vulnerable to attack.
  • Please continue to pray for the impact of Pavement Project in Acapulco, Pray that children will find hope, self-worth, and healing through the Picture Me process. And join us in praying that, as children are introduced to Jesus, they will put their faith in him and trust him to care for their lives.
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