Changes can be scary, challenging or overwhelming. However, changes can also be exciting, bringing new things and new understanding. Pentecost Sunday was celebrated by the church last month. We can imagine the disciples and followers of Christ experienced many changes at Pentecost!
The Tower of Babel story in Genesis 11 tells us how people decided to come up with a plan to unify society and ignore God’s plans for them to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” (Gen. 1:28 ESV) They wanted to settle in one place and do things their own way. Instead, God gave them different languages and scattered them around the world.
At Pentecost, God made it possible for many peoples to hear the same Gospel in many different languages. Under God’s new plan, he brought us back together. He unified us all with the same message of the Cross by sending his Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ disciples rejoiced having Jesus physically with them for forty days before his ascension, living in hope and anticipation of Jesus’ promise to send them the Holy Spirit. They knew that changes were coming but they did not know all the details. They probably felt uncertain, but they trusted and waited on Jesus’ promise.
As we continue to serve in the World Mission Prayer League, we look back at all the challenges we have endured and the great things the Lord has done throughout the years. We also look with anticipation into the future and the new plans the Lord has for the Prayer League. We are experiencing various changes. Some started a long time ago. Others are more recent. Some are small, others are big. While we do not completely know the details regarding how these changes will be implemented, we pray and trust that the Lord has provided all the resources, gifts, and tools that we need to step in confidence knowing that he goes before us. Above all, we want to glorify God and let Him do his plans, not ours, for the World Mission Prayer League.
We praise the Lord for his faithfulness and provision for the month of May. As I write this we do not have enough funds from regular donations to pay full allowances. The Board of Directors approved the use of Estate Funds to maintain allowances at 100 percent through June. We will use between $10,000 and $15,000 to supplement for this shortage. Thank you for your generous and prayerful partnership towards the Lord’s calling for the World Mission Prayer League.
GOD’S PROVISION – APRIL 2023
| ALLOWANCE: Designated Support Funds: | $37,025 |
| General Support Fund: | $30,454 |
| Transfer from General Fund: | $0 |
| BENEFITS: Designated Support Funds: | $32,971 |
| Transfer from Estate Fund: | $8,840 |
| Donations to Benefits Fund: | $75 |
| Number of full-time worker units: | 26 |
| Worker Units with 100% allowance | 26 |
| Minimum allowance provided: | 100% |