Praise and Prayer for January 29, 2010

Thank you for praying for the business meeting and pastoral vote held at our church last Sunday. We praise the Lord for His answers to prayer at the meeting, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There was an excellent turnout for the meeting. There was peace and calm throughout the business that was conducted and as the vote took place. Although it was apparent that nobody was eager to see the Farrells leave the church (to the contrary, many voiced wishes that the Farrells would remain!), the Lord must have made it clear to the congregation that they were ready for this huge step for the church.

The congregation was to vote on the recommendation of the Church Counsel/Board to call Emmanuel Fischer as the first French pastor of the church. The pastoral vote resulted in a strong majority vote to accept the recommendation and call Emmanuel Fischer as the new Pastor of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Reims. After completing an internship for the past year and a half, the Fischers, pictured here with Mike Farrell, will now begin serving the church in their new official roles as Pastor and Pastor's wife. There will be an installation service on February 28, though his ministry will immediately change from pastoral intern to Pastor. Thank you for your continued prayers for the Fischers, for the Farrells and for the church during this time of transition.

We will continue to serve in the same support role that we have been doing, assisting the pastor of the church. Our family needs your prayer as we strive to help the transition to be smooth and as we work to strengthen several church ministries: Sango outreach, Sunday school, worship and music. Our goal is to see the ministries we are doing become nationalized as church members and leaders assume the leadership for them by the time we are scheduled for home ministry in the summer of 2011.

Praise for:
- the good business meeting Sunday, and the unity evident in the vote to call Emmanuel Fischer as the first French pastor.
- the Farrells ministry here in Reims and for the way the Lord has blessed.
- the safe arrival in the CAR of the container that transported the Sango hymnal “Bia ti Sepala Nzapa”.
- Josiah’s good report in his 3-month checkup this week and for his good health.
- an encouraging telephone call from a Bambari, CAR pastor and for a good report of the Bible school and church ministries.

Pray for:
- Emmanuel and Sylvie Fischer as they begin their new ministries as Pastor and Pastor’s wife of the Reims Evangelical Baptist Church.
- Elva Farrell’s continued recovery at home after total hip replacement and for the Lord’s guidance and grace for the transition from this ministry to the next one He has for them.
- the Sango hymnal’s use in the CAR to be a tool of blessing and edification to the church throughout the country.
- Cherith and Adrianna who are suffering with sinus colds.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our future ministry (after home ministry in 2011).