Blog

Watch this 5-minute video from my friend, Rick, to see how you can help provide so that believers in a largely-unreached country can have a place to meet together. If you are interested in learning how you can give to this need, please reach out to me: david.prairie@liveglobal.org

Our family is now fully-immersed in our summer routine. As hot as it’s been here in Chattanooga lately, we’ve been spending as much time in the water as we can. Here’s what else we’ve been up to the past month or so.

Our sons (Judah, 14 and Asher, 12) participated in spring football practice for Grace Academy in mid-May.

I was invited to attend the International Theological Education Summit in Harrisburg, PA hosted by ABWE on May 17-18. I gave a breakout session talk entitled “A Pastoral Approach to Global Theological Training.” For those interested, I can send along the transcript.

My home church allowed me to preach and give an update on our ministry on May 22. I was able to share stories from my travels to Europe earlier this year. The sermon was from Genesis 14, and you can watch it here (it begins at about the 26:00 mark).

In addition, I have been teaching a weekly elective class for fellow church members on the topic of biblical theology. We started on April 24 and will conclude with one final discussion this week (June 26).

All four of our children finished out the school year the week of May 23-27.

We took a family vacation to the Gulf Shores, AL area from May 29 – June 3.

Judah has been participating in basketball camps for the past couple of weeks. One of the ways the Lord has seen fit to help offset some of our support shortage is to provide opportunities for teaching and coaching at GBA, so I expect to be doing more of that this coming school year.

Our girls (Eva, 8 and Tori, 5) are participating in Camp Grace this summer, and are enjoying daily field trips and other activities with fellow campers and counselors.

I have continued regular meetings and calls with teammates and partners from around the world, as well as interviews and conversations with potential future teammates.

In early July (2nd through 11th), I will travel to Michigan where the Lord has graciously provided meetings with THREE churches and their leaders. Please pray for these opportunities. I will preach and present our ministry at one church on July 3, then I will meet with another pastor on July 7, and finally I will present at another service on July 10. We are hopeful that the Lord will use these conversations to provide some of the financial support that we still lack, and to connect us with other like-minded brothers and sisters who can join with us as we attempt to connect North American churches and believers with what God is doing around the world.

If you would like to give toward the expenses of this trip (I’ll be doing a lot of driving), please contact me at david.prairie@liveglobal.org or visit our page to donate online. Many of you have been so kind as to generously give one-time gifts in the past, and this is another case where those would be greatly appreciated. Maybe you’re ready to become a monthly partner with us, in which case we want to hear from you as well.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and ongoing encouragement. Thank you for obeying the great commission with us.

I am grateful to ABWE for giving me the chance to talk about my role with Live Global on the Missions Podcast while at the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, KY in April 2022. Take 11 minutes to watch or listen.

https://missionspodcast.com/podcast/t4g22-why-national-partnerships-david-prairie-on-live-global/

Hamilton Jr., James M. Typology–Understanding the Bible’s Promise-Shaped Patterns: How Old Testament Expectations are Fulfilled in Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2022.

By David Prairie

I was about four years into my tenure as a youth pastor when I told a pastor whom I greatly respected that I was teaching through the book of Leviticus with my students. He responded, “I just don’t know how you preach through Leviticus without doing a whole bunch of typology.” His tone made it clear that this was not exactly a glowing endorsement of such methods.

This was a common sentiment in my circles, and not just about Leviticus. Many teachers and mentors were afraid of calling something a type that the Bible did not explicitly call a type (such as in Rom 5:14). They seemed to loosely associate typology with allegory and feared missing the grammatical-historical meaning of texts. I knew there was continuity between the Old and New Testaments, but I was also hesitant because I did not want to read into a text something that wasn’t there. This hesitancy was relieved when I enrolled at Southern Seminary to study biblical theology under Jim Hamilton.

Dr. Hamilton’s approach to reading the Bible intertextually affirmed some suspicions I already had about the way the whole Bible fits together, but he also opened my thinking to connections that I had not seen before. His ability to recognize patterns intended by the biblical authors is on display in his new book Typology. The book serves as an extension of his teaching and preaching ministry and builds on some of the themes from his previous books, especially God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment and What is Biblical Theology?

Typology is a book that needed to be written because of the cloud of mysteries that seem to surround the subject. And Dr. Hamilton is the author who needed to write this book because of his knack for clarifying muddled theological discussions. There are a few things that Hamilton does especially well in this book.

First, he carefully, thoroughly, and straightforwardly defines typology, leaving no doubt in the readers mind what he is (and is not) doing as he reads the Bible. In doing so, he helpfully distinguishes between typology and allegory, and attempts to show that the types he recognizes are intended by the Bible’s human authors and its divine author (17-28).

Second, he gives “indicators for determining authorial intent” (taken from the titles of the first and last chapters) both on the “micro-level” (chapter 1) and on the “macro-level” (chapter 11). The “micro-level indicators” require the reader to recognize what Hamilton calls the “two essential features of typology:” historical correspondence and escalation in significance (19). These features become especially evident as words and phrases are repeated by authors to establish connections between narratives or the poetic/prophetic commentary on them. As the connections build, they are picked up by New Testament authors who show the anti-types to which the types point.

The “macro-level indicators” show up when the reader “zooms out” from the words and phrases to see what patterns emerge from the key grammatical features. In other words, to what is the repetition of significant terms and phrases pointing? What themes and literary structures do the authors employ to draw attention to the promises that are being made in the text? Hamilton’s answers to questions like these illustrate the description of typology given in the book’s subtitle: “promise-shaped patterns.”

Third, Dr. Hamilton creatively arranges the content of the book as an example of the teaching method that he argues many biblical authors regularly employ. The themes covered early in the book (examining typological persons) correspond to related themes found later in the book (examining typological events and institutions). At its center, the book highlights the “Righteous Sufferer” who, like the types before him, encounters “rejection then exaltation” (174-176).

The fourth helpful aspect of this book is arguably the most important. Hamilton shows readers how to read the Bible. Once the reader is taught to identify intertextual connections, he is unleashed to observe and celebrate how the biblical authors quote and allude to one another throughout Scripture.

Typology urges and enables careful and meditative readings of the Bible. In that sense, it is both rigorously theological and refreshingly devotional. It marries typology firmly to grammatical-historical hermeneutics. I would especially urge those who teach and preach the Bible are skeptical of typology to read this book and see if that skepticism is put to rest. This book is a rich resource for studying the Bible, and I’m grateful for it.

Order the book from the publisher by visiting https://zondervanacademic.com/products/typology-understanding-the-bibles-promise-shaped-patterns.

Upcoming events:

April 6: Speaking at Grace Baptist Academy chapel (“Why do the nations rage?” from Psalm 2)

April 14: Speaking at Grace Baptist Academy’s Easter Assembly (“Foolish or Faithful? It depends on if Jesus rose from the dead” from 1 Corinthians 15:12-23)

April 19-21: Representing Live Global and ABWE at the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, KY

May 17-18: Leading a breakout session entitled “A Pastoral Approach to Global Theological Training” and participating in a related panel discussion at the International Theological Education summit hosted by ABWE in Harrisburg, PA

May 22: Preaching at Grace Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN

July 3: Speaking at West Rome Baptist Church in Manitou Beach, MI

July 10: Speaking at Cornerstone Community Church in Brooklyn, MI

Ongoing or upcoming classes:

January – May: “Biblical Worldview” at Grace Baptist Academy

March 20 – May 7: “Ecclesiology and Church Administration” (over zoom) for B. A. and M. Div. students in south Asia

Beginning April 24: “Biblical Theology” discipleship elective at Grace Baptist Church

We are always looking for ways to share with others about our efforts to make God known among the nations. If you are interested in hosting us for any meetings, please email david.prairie@liveglobal.org.

I recently had the opportunity to travel to eastern Europe with some Live Global teammates. It was a little bit of a whirlwind trip, and I won’t attempt to give a day-by-day account here. (If you are interested in that approach, you may view my Facebook profile where I provided updates in real time.) Instead, I will only give an overview of the trip so that you can grasp what we did, why we did it, and what it means for the future.

Before getting into those details, I wish to first thank all of you who prayed for me while I travelled and for my family who stayed behind. The Lord was good and kind to provide all that was needed for us. Speaking of provisions, thank you especially to those who generously supported this trip with financial gifts, and to those who continue to provide support for my work on a monthly basis. If the amount given as one-time gifts for my trip was added to our current monthly support, it would increase our support by 20% (from 60% where we stand now to 80%). Would you pray about becoming a monthly supporter so that we can have even more opportunities to assist our brothers and sisters around the world as they make Christ known among the nations? Contact me at david.prairie@liveglobal.org or visit https://www.abwe.org/work/missionaries/david-and-brandi-prairie.

My goal going into this trip was simply to learn as much as I could about the work God is already doing among some of our national partners so that I can wisely proceed in assisting them in their work. I asked a lot of questions and did a lot of listening. Thankfully, I was able to travel with and visit with other veteran missionaries along the way, who also helped educate me as needed. Here’s what I learned and observed:

In Hungary, a young couple is preparing for full-time local church ministry. He is preparing for pastoral work and she for a counseling ministry. Both have a Bible college education, and they have a two-year-old son. They are faithful members in a local church where they participate in teaching and discipleship. Pray for God to provide further theological training for him, and wisdom and clarity in counseling for her. Both are remarkably gifted and intelligent, and we want to serve them well as they proceed in these works.

In Bosnia, a veteran pastor leads a church of 45 members in the only Muslim-majority country in Europe. Like-minded churches are scarce in his country. Yet he and his team provide theological lectures, school outreaches, youth and children’s ministries, housing for migrants from central Asia, and mid-week Bible studies in addition to Sunday services. There are plans in place for a new church building (they currently rent a workable but not ideal space). Pastor Z also hopes to establish a theological school that would enable him and others to train men for gospel ministry in a country where it is desperately needed. Pray for the growth of this church and for the Lord’s help as we partner with them for these future projects.

In Serbia, a couple evangelizes in their city by giving away Bibles and other Christian literature as a way to begin conversations with people about the gospel. They also have a radio and podcast ministry in which they broadcast Bible studies, sermons, and readings from Scripture and Christian books for a wide listening audience. Additionally, the brother assists in preaching for at least three churches in his region. Finally, they have connections to a school which offers degrees in Biblical and Theological studies and specializes in training pastors and missionaries. Pray for their ongoing outreaches, and for wisdom as I explore the possibility of assisting with future teaching opportunities.

In Romania, a pastor of a small church in a poor village feeds his people spiritually through preaching and discipleship and he feeds them physically by providing groceries for those who have little or no income. His church was planted by another congregation formerly led by his older brother. Together, these men strategize about how to reach their country through church planting, which requires training men who will lead these congregations. Pray that we can learn from them and also guide them well through these processes.

As you can see, God is already at work in these places. We are simply attempting to stand in the gap for these brothers and sisters so that they can have all of the resources necessary to continue in fruitfulness and faithfulness. Your prayers and financial support enable us to do this well. Please continue to hold us up in this way.

By David Prairie

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Author’s Note: This article is the result of a Bible study I taught to college students at Grace Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN on Sunday, December 5, 2021 as part of their study of the Psalms. Much of my understanding of the nature of the Psalms is informed by Dr. Jim Hamilton, under whom I studied at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and from whose teaching I continue to benefit greatly. Rather than cite every instance where I have been shaped by his influence, I will simply point readers to James M. Hamilton, Jr., God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010), 275-83, where they can see his comments on the role the Psalms play in the overall storyline of Scripture. He also has a new commentary on the Psalms published by Lexham Press that I have not yet accessed.

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            My sons and I occasionally play a game where the Lord of the Rings soundtrack is playing in the car, and each of us tries to be the first one to name the scene associated with the music. We’ve seen the movies enough times to recognize certain elements in the music and those sounds conjure up what happens on the screen when those notes are struck. Some tunes elicit joy or exultation, others fear or even sadness.

            The Psalms of the Bible function like a musical soundtrack to a movie. They aren’t included primarily to carry the story forward, but rather to help us know how to feel about what is happening. They are the poetic commentary on the narrative sections of Scripture.

            Some Psalms give us textual clues to show us which narratives are being sung about. For example, Psalm 18 (written by David) matches 2 Samuel 22, showing that the Psalm is meant to help us think about that point in David’s life.

            In Psalm 18, David frequently identifies God as his “rock” (vv. 2, 31, 46) who delivers and rescues him (vv. 2-3, 16-19, 43, 46-48, 50). In Psalm 19, David says that Yahweh is “my rock and my redeemer” (v. 14). These two Psalms are bracketed with that description of God as a rock. Psalm 18 shows that God is the rock who rescues. Psalm 19 shows that God is the rock who reveals himself through the world (vv. 1-6) and through his Word (vv. 7-12).

            Psalms 20-21 also comprise a unit because they are battle songs. Psalm 20 would be sung by the armies of Israel as they marched toward battle with their enemies, and Psalm 21 would be sung as a victory song after defeating their enemies in battle. Notice how Psalm 21 celebrates the answers to the requests made in Psalm 20.

“May he grant you your heart’s desire” (20:4).	“You have given him his heart’s desire” (21:2).
“Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand” (20:6).	“Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you” (21:8).
“We trust in the name of the LORD our God” (20:7).	“The king trusts in the LORD” (21:7).
“O LORD, save the king!” (20:9).	“O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!” (21:1)

            The order of these Psalms (18-21) seems to follow the order of the events in David’s life as described in 2 Samuel. After David’s song in 2 Samuel 22, his “last words” are recorded in which David is presented as both an anointed and exalted king and as a psalmist (23:1). God is shown to be the “Rock of Israel” who reveals himself through words given by his Spirit (23:2-3). Chapter 23 concludes with accounts of battles won by David and his “mighty men” as the Lord worked to bring about great victories for them (23:8-39).

            When viewed together, we can see how the poetry of Psalms 18-21 corresponds to the prose of 2 Samuel 22-23.

2 Sam 22 – God, the Rock, delivers David	Psalm 18 – God, the Rock, delivers David
2 Sam 23:1-7 – God, the Rock, reveals himself through his Word	Psalm 19 – God, the Rock, reveals himself through his Word.
2 Sam 23:8-39 – Stories from battle	Psalms 20-21 – Songs from battle

It’s possible that the parallels expand beyond these sections. For example, 2 Samuel 24 records David’s sin against the Lord in taking an unauthorized census and the ensuing judgment and death that resulted in Israel. David intervenes for the people by purchasing offerings to the Lord so that the people are spared from God’s wrath (24:18-25). This event may correspond to Psalm 22, where David speaks as one who has been forsaken to death (22:1, 15), and to Psalm 23 where David describes how the Lord shepherds him “through the valley of the shadow of death” (23:4). While 2 Samuel ends with chapter 24, those who continue to read encounter David’s final instructions and his own physical death in 1 Kings 1-2, thus continuing the theme in the larger narrative.

This small sample shows the intentionality with which the individual Psalms were structured and arranged into the Psalter as a whole. There may even be a discernable flow throughout the entire Psalter. At the very least, there seem to be self-contained sections that make up a unit, similar to the way that many modern hymnals are arranged categorically. It could be that Psalms 18-21 fit into such a unit comprised of Psalms 15-24. This unit begins and concludes with Psalms that ask questions about those who can stand on the hill of the Lord, where he dwells. The material contained within the unit also aligns with other themes in a chiastic formula. If this structure is present, it intentionally places God’s self-revelation at the center.

Who shall dwell on the Lord’s holy hill? (Psalm 15)

            The Lord does not abandon to Sheol, but makes known the path of life (Psalm 16)

                        Soul delivered from the wicked by the Lord’s sword (Psalm 17)

                                    God delivers David from Saul and other enemies (Psalm 18)

                                                God reveals himself through the world and his Word (Psalm 19)

                                    God delivers Israel from battle with their enemies (Psalm 20-21)

                        Soul delivered from the sword of the wicked (Psalm 22)

            The Lord shepherds in paths of righteousness through the shadow of death (Psalm 23)

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? (Psalm 24)

            There is much more that could be said about the content of these Psalms, particularly the way they point forward to Christ and are fulfilled in him. For now, let the combined sounds of the Psalms and the images from Samuel (and others) enhance the beauty of the poetry and the One of whom they ultimately speak.

By David Prairie

Introduction: Two Strategies for Missions

All Christians and churches care about obeying Jesus’ great commission to make disciples of all nations. But there is more than one way to engage in cross-cultural ministry.

• The “Traditional” Model

Many of us think of missions in terms of an individual or family crossing a culture, learning a language, and investing deeply in a place where there are few, if any believers. These missionaries typically seek to begin new ministries by launching churches, schools, hospitals, or other organizations over which they become the leader. Through these avenues, the missionary is often viewed as the “expert” and the ministry rises and falls on him.

There are times where this kind of approach may be necessary, such as if a people group is entirely unreached with the gospel. And there is certainly value when missionaries establish long-term roots in one place and adapt to their host culture. But there is another approach as well.

• The “Partnership” Model

Partnership ministries begin not with a project, but with a relationship. The first step is not, “Let’s set out to establish a ministry center in this region.” Instead, it’s, “Let find out who already lives in the region and is serving the Lord there, and maybe we can come alongside him to assist in what he is already doing.”

What is Partnership?

Partnership is a strategy for missions that prioritizes relationships with in-country national believers who are citizens of the land where the ministry is being done. The goal is not to take over or run the partner’s ministry, but rather to assist the partner in his efforts in whatever ways are best for him.

For example, if the partner is a church planter or pastor, he may need books and resources for preaching and discipleship that he doesn’t have access to in his home country. If he is training others for ministry in a Bible school, he may need fellow workers who can provide theological education. If he is working on behalf of orphans and widows, then he may need help with facilities and staffing. If he is seeking to provide physical needs for his community, then he may need funds for groceries or firewood during the winter months.

The possibilities are nearly endless, and they vary based on location, time of year, and type of primary ministry. This means that there is something for everyone. No matter your skill set or preferred location, there are always opportunities to serve partners around the world.

Some may ask, “What if you don’t see eye-to-eye with the partner?” Certainly, this could happen. But before an official partnership is formed, a relationship of trust is built with the partner to ensure that values and philosophy align. Partners become friends, not just co-laborers.

Why Partnership?

In partnership ministry, the primary connection to the ministry base is native to the land. There is no “learning curve” for the partner. He already knows the language and cultural distinctives of the region because it is home for him.

Reliance on the partner requires humility because it implies that we don’t have all the answers or solutions. It also helps to ensure that the ministry will continue long into the future as investments are made into more national partners. The ministry won’t fade when the missionary retires or dies. It will be carried on with the national partners who are on the ground.

Additionally, partners have access into places where westerners do not. Their citizenship often allows them to move about and work more freely in regions where visitors could not go. In this way, the unreached are often more likely to be reached by partners than by western missionaries.

Partnership in the Bible

Admittedly, there are examples of solo workers called by God to speak as a lone voice for a time. This was the case for certain Old Testament prophets, such as Isaiah in Judah (see Isa 6:8-13) and Daniel in Babylon (see Dan 6). Even in the New Testament, Philip on the road to Gaza (Acts 8:26-40) and John during his exile to Patmos (Rev 1:9-11) were called to proclaim Christ while alone.

But the overwhelmingly predominant pattern throughout Scripture involves relational partnerships both locally and globally for the purpose of making God known. Moses was instructed by his father-in-law to surround himself with a plurality of godly and capable leaders to oversee Israel (Exod 18). David recruited the help of an Egyptian man to overthrow God’s enemies and win back his people from capture (1 Sam 30:11-15). Mordecai allied with the Persian king so that God’s covenant people would be preserved from annihilation (Esther 9). Jesus chose twelve followers (Mark 3:13-19) and invested in them for the work they would continue after he returned to heaven. Peter and John joined together with other disciples for the growth of the multi-ethnic church, including establishing a team of deacons (Acts 6:1-7). Paul modeled best how cross-cultural partnerships work, particularly at Philippi. And the pattern of church leadership promoted by the NT authors involved a plurality of elders (rather than a solo pastor) for each local church as it was planted in new places (see Titus 1:5).

Conclusion: The Goal of Partnership

The end goal of these partnerships is the same as the goal is in more “traditional” models: disciples made among every people group on the planet. The vision of every tribe, language, people, and nation around the throne of God giving glory to the Lamb will become a reality (see Rev 5:9; 7:9). Partnering with other believers toward this end deepens our connections with the global church and broadens our opportunities to obey Christ’s great commission.

Authors Note: This article was written on behalf of the leadership team of Live Global, which exists primarily to connect the North American church with partners around the globe for the purpose of joining them as they reach the nations with the gospel. For more information on how Live Global facilitates the kinds of partnership ministries described here, please visit liveglobal.org.

In a likely feeble attempt at creativity, I’m retitling these updates “Prairie Quests” for two reasons.

First, we view our work as a “quest,” a series of adventures. Merriam-Webster defines a quest as a “search” or “a long and difficult effort to find or do something.” Our efforts are to serve the Lord and our national partners through the opportunities he gives.

Second, it is a play on words with “prayer requests,” and we want to express our thanks to you for your continued prayers and to make you aware of more ways that you can pray for us.

Here’s the latest:

• I continue to teach Hermeneutics three nights a week through a partner school in south Asia. In addition to the class meetings, lectures, and discussions, I have been able to have conversations with students outside of class as we discuss what the Bible has to say about specific issues facing their churches. This class continues through the first week of December.
• My weekly meetings with Pastor Alexe in Romania have been a surprising encouragement. Two other men from his church (one member and one unbelieving but interested attender) join us for these discussions on biblical manhood. Please pray for “Constantine” that he will repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord. You can read more about Alexe’s ministry, and you can donate to some specific ministry needs that he has. He is looking to raise $2,000 to supply firewood for 15 families and food and medicine for 25 families during the winter months. Your generosity can help.
• One of our teammates (Ed) invited me to participate in an online prayer meeting with a congregation in south Asia as they heard from a pastor in east Asia and prayed for his ministry. It was enriching to hear one local church (who is facing some obstacles) pray for another church family (whose challenges are even greater). Please pray for these churches.
• A new assignment I was given recently was to conduct two different doctrinal interviews for new teammates who are joining Live Global. We praise the Lord for the growth of our team.
• Two teammates and I have launched a new Theological Training team and are meeting regularly to implement some strategies for how we connect teaching and training needs with those who can meet them. Pray for wisdom as we have these discussions.
• I was able to collaborate with our Moldovan partner (Mihai) on a video interview about the importance of the Bible in the lives of believers around the world. Pray for students who watch the video to be convinced of their constant need for the Scriptures.
• We are still seeking connections for new financial supporters. Because of some upcoming changes to our account, we are in need of about $500/month in new support before January 1. We are in conversations with some out-of-state churches and I am hoping to meet with a new contact soon. Please pray that the Lord will continue to show his faithfulness as he has at every step so far. You can click here to give, and any suggested contacts you can send me would be greatly appreciated.
• Finally, many have asked about when we might travel again. There are two potential obstacles: finances (see above) and pandemic restrictions. However, we are currently working on an itinerary for a trip to visit several partners in eastern Europe, probably in February or March 2022. There are other trips we hope to take as well, but this first one will be key. Please pray that we can make it happen.

We are grateful for you and we hope you are encouraged by all that God is doing in our midst. Let us know how we can pray for you as well.

-David (and Brandi, Judah, Asher, Eva, and Tori) Prairie

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I want to begin with a word of thanks for your continued prayers and sacrificial gifts on our behalf. We are humbled at every reminder (and there are many) of your intercession and generosity towards our family and the work God has given to us.

Here are a few highlights of the past couple of months.

-A family vacation that included a few days at Virginia Beach and a couple more in the DC area.

-Brandi and I celebrated our 15^th wedding anniversary.

-A retreat in Harrisburg, PA with many of our Live Global teammates.

-The start of a new school year for our four children at Grace Academy.

-Judah and Asher are both playing football for GBA’s middle school team.

-Tori’s fifth birthday.

The retreat was especially helpful as it gave Brandi and me some clarity about our roles on the team and how to proceed in them.

Coming up, the Lord is providing two teaching opportunities for me. The first is a two-week (8 total teaching hours) seminar for a network of church leaders among a largely unreached people group in Asia. About 60 pastors, deacons, and other members are expected to participate (online). They will take the material and then translate it and use it to disciple their people. My topic is “Holiness in the Midst of Troubled Times.” My part is one of six seminars in which these leaders will participate.

There is a need for some financial assistance for those who will attend. One of my teammates has written to say, “For the three-month leadership training, we have budgeted approximately $8,000. We will have three centers spread throughout the Odissa area. In each Center, 20 students will be attending for a total of 60. In each group, Pastors, Deacons, Women’s Ministry, and Youth ministry leaders will participate. Each student will have to stay at their respective Centers. Along with the costs of staying at the Centers, each Center will be equipped with a new laptop, a new projector, snacks, food, and bedding. Travel funds for the students to attend as some must come by overnight buses.”

Funds should be sent to the ABWE Soura account #0822141.

The second opportunity I will have is with a partnering Bible college in south Asia. I will teach an 8-week course on Hermeneutics (online) for students training for pastoral ministry and missions. Please pray that both of these opportunities bear much fruit.

We continue to have some support shortages and we are praying for additional monthly partners. If you are able to commit to a regular gift, please reach out, or put me in contact with others who might be interested.

For the glory of Christ and the growth of his church,

-David Prairie (and family)