June 2024 Prayer Letter

June 1…PRAY for both Bobby and Linnet as they deal with some health issues: that Bobby’s diabetic condition and Linnet’s high blood pressure would come down and stay under control as both these conditions are contributing to other health issues…specifically, please pray for healing of the Macular Edema plaguing Bobby and healing for Linnet’s eye trouble as well.

June 2…PRAY for Bobby and Linnet as they return to India and for the safety and protection of their home here while they are away for an extended period of time.

June 3…PRAY for Bobby’s visits to other areas as we seek to expand opportunities for ministry.

June 4…PRAY for our new office manager, Robyn, as she navigates the new software and learns the “ins and outs” of the ministry! She has, for this past month, been in training with Debbie, our recently retired office manager, and, while she is learning well and taking to it all excellently, please remember her as all her “lifeline” folks will be out of reach this month!

June 5…PRAY for Craig, our Director of National Mobilization, as his travels take him to western New York this month and then beyond to at least 13 states over the course of the year, some multiple times:

1)…for divine connections throughout the U.S. – that God would arrange unscheduled appointments to discover new partnerships.
2)…for doors to open with Uber drivers and people in airplanes and airports – that the seeds of the gospel would be shared and received. PRAISE GOD for a divine appointment with a taxi driver recently that led to Craig sharing the Gospel.
3)…for the Lord to bless Craig’s ability to maintain rest and exercise in order to build the strength and stamina that would allow him to be able “run the course…”

June 6… PRAY for the leading of the Holy Spirit as Craig seeks to add two additional mobilizers to work alongside him to serve the local church in the U.S. developing relationships in order to partner with HBI to fulfill the great commission in India and beyond. PRAY that the Lord will send His chosen people to fill these roles.

June 7… PRAY for the building of 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 seven churches that are considering partnership with HBI Global Partners and for Craig as he develops possibilities with them.

June 8…PRAY for God to bless student recruitment for HBI for the upcoming academic year of 2024-2025. May those called of God to serve Him come and be better prepared for His work among the lost of India!

June 9…PRAY for the orientation and training that will take place this month within the formal context on the campus and for the seniors needing to ensure their course requirement is complete.

June 10…PRAY for the speakers at the Spiritual Life Conference this summer and for the spiritual growth of the students and the staff that will be attending.

June 11…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.

June 12…PRAY for the construction of our new Education Center, as progress has been slowed recently by the seasonal rains. PLEASE PRAY for the rains to hold off and that the Lord would allow construction 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.

June 13…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 for the new Education Center.

June 14…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!

June 15…PRAISE GOD that 3,000 churches have been established since a year ago, 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. PRAY that we reach 20,000 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

June 16…PRAY specifically for the provision of $565,000 to continue the ongoing training of the church planting recruits AND specifically for a direct appeal we are making to our partnership churches to increase their giving this year for the training of church planters. PRAY for the funding of the annual Pastors’ Conference, held in August AND specifically for a direct mail appeal to supporters this month asking for contributions toward the Pastors’ Conference.

June 17…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

June 18…PRAY for the village church planters, often beginning with little formal education, to be drawn to opportunities to take advantage of the formal courses and thereby gain knowledge that can help to build transformation leaders with solid theology to greatly impact the church planting process! PRAY for the various training going on right now of church planters and pastors, both those associated with HBI and those from other denominations and networks who are also seeking training with HBI.

June 19…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! PRAY THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST…” Mt 9:38

June 20…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.

June 21…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.

June 22…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.

June 23…PRAY for the Drop in Center (DIC) run by an RTC and 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. The DICs at all the RTCs are being used by the Lord to serve and transform these communities, from which we pray there will develop a new generation of church leaders!

June 24…PRAY for this 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!

June 25…PRAY for the Mobilizing Women of Church Growth (MWCG) training program, where women are given vision and training to actively reach women for Christ. By the grace of God we were able to complete training with 120 women in two of the RTCs in 2023!

June 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.

June 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

June 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!!

June 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!

June 30…Reflection:

“From of old no one has heard…no eye has seen a God besides You, who acts for those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 64:4

May we faithfully seek, pray, and hope in Him