Blog

By David Prairie

---

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.

---

            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)

Happy New Year to you all. It seems like an appropriate time to provide an update, given that much has happened in a relatively short amount of time.

A quick recap:

In October, our family transitioned from the ABWE CeeMed (central/eastern Europe and Mediterranean) team to the ABWE Live Global team. This decision means that we are putting our original plans of moving to that region on the back burner. Instead, we can continue to raise support from the US while beginning certain key ministry opportunities more quickly. It also broadens our potential for impact to places that likely would not have been possible otherwise.

With those things now clarified, Brandi has begun the process of renewing her nursing license. In December she was able (after several weeks of refresher courses) to begin some clinical hours for a pediatrician for whom she had worked previously, filling in for other nurses who were out with Covid related illnesses.

New Opportunities:

Brandi will finish up clinical hours in January, and then likely work for the pediatrician on an “as needed” basis until she finds more permanent work. She is excited to begin again in the healthcare field, which will also provide her with outreach opportunities.

My first official assignment with Live Global begins in about 24 hours. I have been asked to teach a class (over Zoom) for an accredited Bible college/seminary in southern India. For nine weeks, three late nights a week (early morning for them), we will cover Romans and Galatians. There are 19 students, many of whom are preparing to help plant/lead churches among unreached people groups in India. Consider the following statistics for the country of India (according to Operation World).

-Out of a population of over 1.2 billion people, just over 2% are evangelical believers.

-India has over 2,500 distinct people groups, and 88% are considered unreached.

-There is, on average, one trained pastor for every six evangelical congregations.

How can you pray?

Pray for Brandi as she completes the clinical hours this month and begins to seek future employment as a nurse.

Pray for this spring class. Pray that I will be helpful to the students. Pray that they will be well-equipped for current and future ministry opportunities. Pray that whatever good I am able to pass along to them will be multiplied as they pass it on to others.

Pray that we will continue to raise our level of support.

Pray for me as I seek to phase out of my role as youth pastor at Grace Baptist in Chattanooga.

Thank you for interceding for us and for your many generous gifts and kind words.

By David Prairie

 

O Righteous Father,

You are good. Your steadfast love endures forever, as does your faithfulness and truth to all generations. Glorify your name in all the earth with the glory you had with your Son before the world existed, especially by giving eternal life to all you have given to your Son. Eternal life is knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. As your children, your people, and the flock of your pasture, we fear not, knowing that it is your good pleasure to grant your kingdom as an inheritance to us.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever.

O God, our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, which you commanded by your servants, the prophets. Forgive us, Lord.

And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved. You, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which you loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins, have made us alive together with Christ—by grace we have been saved—and have raised us up together with him, and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ, so that in the coming ages you might show the immeasurable riches of your grace in kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

We come to you now at a time where we, looking around, recognize that things are out of our control. But we gladly confess that nothing ever has been, nor is, nor ever will be out of your control. We don’t need you now more than ever, because there has never been a time when we have not fully needed you, but perhaps we are now more in tune with and aware of our great need for you, and our lack of control. We look to you. We truly have no other place to look. To whom else shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.

Grant us, Lord, that we would not be anxious about anything, but that in everything, with all thanksgiving, we would make our requests known to you. And may your peace which surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, the one who took our illnesses and bore our diseases. In making our requests known to you, we submit the following:

• Please help us to express our love for you by continually seeking you and your kingdom first, by having no other gods before you, and by not being ruled by a spirit of fear, but by letting the peace of God rule in our hearts.
• Please help us to follow the example of Jesus as we seek to love our neighbors well by caring for the sick, the poor, the outcast, and the vulnerable. Let us humbly count others more significant than ourselves. Let each of us look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. Give to your servants discernment to know whether to express our affections for one another in person or from a distance.
• Teach us, during these uncertain times, to love our families well. If we have extra time at home with our spouses and children, let us relish the opportunity to endure such historic times together. Give us patience with one another, especially as we navigate what we don’t yet know.
• Provide wisdom, endurance, and strength to the countless healthcare workers who are logging tireless shifts responding to increased demands. Protect their health and reward their efforts. For those studying the virus and seeking to provide cures, we pray hasten their research and clarify their thoughts.
• Cause journalists, reporters, and media outlets to broadcast and publish information truthfully and without bias. Give consumers and viewers clear judgment as we take in statistics and stories. Let us filter all things with logic, reason, common sense, and prudence. Let us not politicize, downplay, or overreact to such issues.
• Equip us, not with fear, but with sound minds, fully aware of your power and love. Help us that we would not be overcome with panic, but with assurance of your presence.
• For those who have been diagnosed with this illness, we ask you that you would grant healing. We pray for the spread of the virus to stop, and for the afflicted to recover.
• For those who have lost loved ones as a result of this sickness, we pray for comfort, and we ask that you would grant to them the hope of eternal life that is found only in you.
• We pray that, when we or others we know and love fall ill and test positive, you would let us face these trials with our confidence not ultimately in the healing of the body in this life, but in the promise of a resurrection from the dead. Remind us that the last enemy to be defeated is death itself, and that the grave will have no more success holding the bodies of Christians than it did holding the body of Christ.
• During these uncertainties, let us cross paths with others who need the hope that is only found in the gospel of Jesus, and let us boldly and transparently share that good news with them. Draw many who do not yet believe to yourself, reveal your Son to them, call them by your grace, put your Spirit within them, and adopt them as your children.
• Give abundant measures of grace to missionaries scattered among the nations. Make them to bear much fruit in this season. And when travel bans are lifted, send more workers into such places, that the glory of God may cover the dry lands as the waters cover the sea.

We pray all this and more, longing for the day when a great and innumerable multitude from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages are standing before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes which have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Hasten the day when God dwells with all his people, and they with him, and when he wipes away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things will have passed away.

Amen.

By David Prairie

My wife (Brandi) and I love the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The main protagonist, George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart), is one of the most admirable characters I’ve ever come across in a film. He’s not perfect, which makes him especially relatable. At various points he’s sarcastic, selfish, angry, hateful, condescending, and even suicidal. But throughout the story, he’s also generous, patient, and hardworking. He stands up for decency against Henry Potter and his greedy attempts to monopolize the town. In all, George is a class act who, although seemingly down on his luck most of the time, ends up gaining perspective and some good karma for the way he treated his fellow man along the way.

But one thing you must understand about George is that he spends the whole movie trying to leave his hometown of Bedford Falls. He has dreams and plans to attend college, see the world, run a big business, and make lots of money. And he knows that the only way he can do any of those things is to get out of Bedford Falls, where everyone has known him since he was a child. To be sure, George was doing great (though small, in his mind at least) things while still based in Bedford Falls. He developed a reputation as a reliable, trustworthy, and honorable man. But he wanted more.

I don’t claim to possess all (or even most) of the positive traits displayed by George Bailey. But I do find myself relating to the character in his desire to begin a new adventure in another part of the world. I’ve lived my whole life up to this point in Chattanooga. The church in which I currently serve I’ve attended since age 5. I had plans of moving away for college, seminary, and other jobs, but none of that ever materialized. Our ongoing pre-field ministry often makes me wonder if, like George, maybe we never will leave home. I trust that we’re being faithful while we’re here. Still, I can’t help but long for and hope for the day to come when we are able to relocate and plant our roots in Moldova.

Would you pray that God will do the work of supplying what is needed through his people so that we can see these plans become a reality? Pray that as we continue to seek partnerships with churches, individuals, and businesses, God would direct us to those that can invest in the work to which he has called us. Perhaps you could be a part of the answer to that prayer, either by committing to monthly support, or by helping connect us with others who could do so.

To discuss these things further with us, contact me at dprairie@abwe.cc. To learn more about our opportunity and how you can be a part of it, visit https://www.abwe.org/work/missionaries/david-and-brandi-prairie.

I recently had an opportunity to post a blog on the ABWE site on the topic, “What is a healthy sermon?” Please click here to read my thoughts on the question and how it relates to missions and the life of a local church.

By David Prairie

In God’s kind provision, he provided an opportunity for our family to spend a week in Chisinau, Moldova a couple of weeks ago. While Brandi and I had visited there previously for a survey trip, this was the first chance that our children had to experience Moldova, which was something that our boys had especially been hoping for. As a result of our week there, they (and we) are all the more eager to live there and serve the Lord alongside Imago Dei Church.

The primary purpose of our visit was to assist IDC with a children’s camp (ages 10-15). This was to be the biggest evangelistic outreach by the church in its brief history. Pastor Mihai Chisari had promoted and advertised the camp throughout the city in hopes that many children would come and hear the gospel for the first time.

In all, about 60 campers attended Speranta Camp (about 45 minutes northwest of Chisinau), and very few of them had any Christian background. I was able to speak twice at the camp. Mihai spoke twice as well. We worked through the Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration storyline of the Bible, and were able to explain the gospel clearly each time. Brandi and I each participated in small group discussions after the chapels, and realized that many of the campers were hearing these truths for the first time. They asked simple, but serious questions about God, the Bible, church, and Christianity.

Please pray for the members and leaders of Imago Dei Church to have wisdom to know how best to follow up with campers in the coming weeks. Pray that they will be able to strengthen relationships with students as well as to establish connections with parents. Pray for the gospel to be continually and clearly explained and that God would draw people to himself.

We were especially encouraged by brothers and sisters in Christ from Imago Dei Church and from partnering churches in Chisinau. They formed a great team of leaders for the campers. They led discussions, singing, skits, games, and provided help with the language barriers for those of who are still beginners in Romanian. Pray for these Moldovan believers to continue to be united together in service to the Lord and to others. We also enjoyed meeting and working with Daniel, an ABWE appointee to Romania. Daniel helped Brandi lead a workshop on conversational English. Finally, we were privileged to work alongside the Sokol family, missionaries to Ukraine (from our home church in Chattanooga) who made the trip to Moldova for the week. They are exceptional missionaries who are remarkably gifted and faithful.

I was able to lead a baseball workshop, teaching several boys about the game, its rules, how its played, and the fundamentals. Judah and Asher were able to assist me with this, and each day the boys learned more and enjoyed playing the game.

I also led the camp staff in devotions throughout the week from 1 Corinthians 12-13, talking about how to use our gifts in a loving way. I also preached at Imago Dei Church on the Sunday before camp, talking about the attributes of God found in Exodus 34:6-7, and what it means to worship him based on how he reveals himself.

Our kids traveled well, and we anticipate being able to move there and minister together among the people of Moldova. Please pray that our visit will have ongoing effects, and that we will soon be fully supported so that we can serve there full time.

We continue to seek ministry partners who will pray for us and who can come alongside this ministry opportunity financially. If you would like to learn more or become a regular supporter, please click here.

By David Prairie

At the beginning of the month, we asked you to pray with us about seeing our support level increase to 50% by the end of the NCAA “March Madness” Tournament, which actually ends April 8 (see the post here). Now that we are nearly half way through the month, I thought I would share the progress we have seen so far.

As of now, we have seen an increase in $218/month in support. Our goal for this time frame is $1,200, so we are still praying for an additional $982 in monthly commitments between now and April 8. But we are extremely encouraged by the $218 that has been pledged. Praise the Lord!

We have also learned recently that you can make a pledge without actually giving immediately, and the pledge still counts toward our current support level. So let’s say that you want to support our mission but can’t actually begin giving until September. If you will go ahead and visit the support page, you can set up your commitment to begin in September, but our support level will increase now! That could still help us to reach our goals for this month.

Pray about a few upcoming opportunities to share our work with others:

-There is the possibility of a meeting with several pastors in Virginia next Tuesday, March 19. Pray for that meeting to happen and for a fruitful presentation and time with those brothers.

-We will be sharing in the morning service at a church just north of Chattanooga on Sunday, May 5. Pray again for others to catch the vision of what God is doing in Eastern Europe and our role there.

-We have contacted several churches via e-mail over the past couple of weeks, and have applied for support at one. Pray for more meetings with churches who can partner with us.

Pray also for continued meetings with individuals and families, that God would help us to make quick connections with those he has already ordained to give.

Thanks to you all who read these updates and pray for us regularly. We are humbled that you would intercede for us before the Lord, and we ask you to keep it up. John Piper has said, “Sometimes, the prayer you prayed 999 times is answered in attempt 1,000. Don’t give up.”

As always, if you can help us make connections with others with whom we could share our story, we would be extremely grateful.