August 2024 Prayer Letter

Aug 1…PRAY for Bobby and Linnet serving at HBI India as they adapt and cope with so much change in their lives and ministry over this last year. PRAY also, that doctors will have wisdom and know the source and proper medical care for some specific health issues for Bobby. PRAISE GOD that an angiogram recently conducted showed that he has no major blockages.

Aug 2…PRAY for the $90,000 needed to support the PASTORS’ CONFERENCE this month. PRAY for the expected 800 pastors that “will gather and call on the name of the Lord, some under the threat of imprisonment due to preaching of the gospel, some having been stoned or thrown out of town only to return, obeying the Lord’s call to impact that village region. Some will have unbelievable stories of God’s miraculous power and grace…there will be inspiring reports of many hundreds of churches planted in the past year all over India…” PRAY for their safe travel coming and going. PRAY for this truly historic gathering.

Aug 3…PRAY for Malini, and the HBI staff as they make plans and prepare for the venue of the Pastors’ Conference for which the theme is: Serving Christ and His Kingdom: United…Unhindered…Unashamed! PRAY for an extra measure of security on campus throughout this month.

Aug 4…PRAISE GOD for Craig, our Director of National Mobilization, and God’s provision and blessing on his travels throughout July. PRAY for the Lord 1) to continue to build new partnerships in the U.S. with individuals and churches for the purpose of expanding prayer and support of the mission. PLEASE PRAY specifically for six churches that are considering partnership with HBI Global Partners

Aug 5…PRAY for Craig, and others traveling with him this month, for strength, stamina, safety and abundant opportunities to serve.

Aug 6…PRAY for the leading of the Holy Spirit as Craig seeks to add two additional mobilizers to work alongside him to build relationships with the local U.S.churches toward the goal of partnering with HBI to fulfill the great commission in India and beyond. PRAY that the Lord will send His chosen people to fill these roles.

Aug. 7…PRAISE GOD that both the Executive Board meeting and Annual General Body meeting in India went very well last month. All Directors presented their Annual reports and goals for 2024-2025. PRAISE GOD for His provision in the month of July to meet the regular operation and administrative expenses. PRAY for His continued provision in this area for the month of August. PRAY God will keep the doors open for funds to keep flowing into HBI as regulations continue to become stricter, and for the freedom to do ministry as God leads.

Aug 8…Continue to PRAY for the pastors attending the Pastor’s Conference,“that need to gather…that need one another… that need encouragement…that need further training…that need to be “shaken” by the power of the Holy Spirit, filled with God’s presence and His word, strengthened and ready for the next challenge.”

Aug 9…PRAISE for the progress being made on the construction of our new Education Center. PLEASE PRAY for the weather to cooperate and that the Lord would allow construction to continue to progress well, making up for lost time and getting back on track for a timely completion of the foundation. PRAY for the safety of the entire campus and all the construction workers.

Aug 10…PRAY for the concrete work on the foundation to be completed this week as part of the Education Center construction process. Additionally, PRAY specifically for the preparation work and the completion of the concrete RC wall and the moving of the mud filling to the construction site.

Aug 11…PRAY for the fundraising effort for the Education Center to bring results and generate the funds needed to complete the project. PRAY that we meet a matching fund challenge of $1.7 million and for the LORD’S provision for the entire $5,000,000.

Aug 12…PRAY for New Calvary Church, which is on the campus of HBI and provides a church fellowship for students as well as for people from the community. PRAY for their continued outreach and impact for Christ in the area and nation-wide!

Aug 13…PRAY that we reach our goal of 20,000 new churches planted in the next few years! “And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations…” Mt 24:14 PRAISE GOD that 3,000 churches have been established, which brings us currently to 17,500 church plants! When churches are planted, we know that first generation believers are coming to Christ and being discipled in the local church.

Aug 14…PRAY for the provision of $565,000 to continue the ongoing training of the church planting recruits AND specifically for our partnership churches to increase their giving this year for the training of church planters.

Aug 15…PRAY for our present church-planters/pastors on the frontlines who faithfully serve the Lord in 23 states doing ministry even in the midst of difficulties. Pray for their health, protection, and courage to stand firm in the Lord that they may be “strong and courageous” and “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” 1 Chr 16:24

Aug 16…PRAY for the Village church planters, both those associated with HBI and those from other denominations and networks who are also seeking training with HBI, often beginning with little formal education, to be drawn to opportunities to take advantage of the formal courses thereby gaining knowledge that can help to build transformational leaders with solid theology in order to greatly impact the church planting process!

Aug 17…PRAISE GOD that we have identified an unreached people group that has been selected to be discipled to Christ and have funds available to begin this outreach. PRAY for trained church-planters to hear God’s call for cross cultural ministry!

Aug 18…PRAY THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST” Mt 9:38

Aug 19…PRAISE GOD for our Regional Training Centers (RTC) established by HBI throughout the nation! This is where church planters are trained, pastors are educated, children’s ministry is developed, local schools are built, and practical community needs are met! These “exist as a strategic hub to develop God class transformational indigenous leaders so that every man, woman, boy and girl will have an opportunity to hear, understand and respond to the gospel and be discipled to make disciples”! PRAY for the various training programs – both non-formal and informal – in all our RTCs. PRAY for God’s empowerment for our directors, staff, and teachers, and that their lives and their teaching would magnify Christ.

Aug 20…PRAY that we might identify and establish a staff team of at least 5 persons, in 3 of our currently existing RTCs. PRAY that churches in the U.S. will adopt these centers through sponsorship to ensure their success.

Aug 21…PRAISE GOD for the RTC in northeast India, working among the most unreached people group in this area of the country. PRAY for this RTC and their vision to reach children for Christ through the Dr. Gupta School, as they strive by the grace of God, to develop in both quality of education and in administration as well. PRAY for their outreach and ministry to the 230 students (and their families) who currently attend! PRAY also for the construction currently going on at the Dr Gupta School, for safety and good progress.

Aug 22…PRAY for the Drop in Center (DIC) run by this RTC, held in the slums, where currently they are touching the lives of children by providing quality education, skill development and character formation to poor, underprivileged and downtrodden children.

Aug 23…PRAISE GOD that the DICs at all the RTCs are being used by the Lord to transform these communities, from which we pray there will develop a new generation of church leaders!

Aug 24…PRAY for the above referenced RTC as they seek to minister, not only to children, but also to the poor and unemployed women, so they will have some income to support their families. Right now we are training 15 women to make jewelry and house decorating items, along with teaching them to read and write!

Aug 25…PRAY for the Mobilizing Women of Church Growth (MWCG) training program, where women are given vision and training to actively reach other women for Christ.

Aug 26…PRAY for the increasing enrollment and success in promoting children’s programs at all the RTCs. PRAY for protection for the children at our children’s ministries, and PRAY for the recruitment of reliable, committed staff and teachers. PRAY for new Child Development Centers (CDC) in various locations.

Aug 27….PRAY for the parents of these children to be drawn to the Lord as their children are ministered to through the above programs. “But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'” Luke 18:16

Aug 28…PRAISE GOD that He is expanding the sphere of influence of HBI into the context of Christ-followers in the marketplace by training professionals to become God-class transformational leaders able to disciple other professionals in the marketplace. PRAY that we may be equipped to engage these Christian professionals to become disciple-makers in the marketplace!!

Aug 29…PRAY for HBI India staff and the leadership team, as well as their families, for all our board members and families, in various nations for 1) spiritual and physical health and protection, 2) Strength and stamina to persevere, 3) Wise and fruitful use of time, and 4) Unity in serving the Lord. PRAY for HBI GP office staff to function efficiently as a team to serve the supporters of HBI. PRAY for our efforts to add additional supporters and to keep our current supporters informed. Thank you for your prayers – we feel them!

Aug 30…PRAY for the HBI GP Staff churches that are struggling.

Aug 31…REFLECTION  

“How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14