Standing Stone shepherds care for thousands of pastors every month.
In nations like India, where being a Christian–let alone being a pastor–often comes with serious persecution, caring for ministry leaders has become more important than ever.
Last year, religious and ethnic violence in Manipur, India rose precipitously. One of our faithful Standing Stone shepherds was on the scene, providing care and meeting practical needs in Jesus’ name. Here’s what he reported…
“In December I personally travelled with a team of people to Manipur (where many churches and houses of Christians were burned in 2023) . We had been sending financial support during the last few months to a few pastors who lost their houses and family members.
During our December trip we were able to help many children who are in relief camps with shoes as the winter weather is quite cold in that state. We also gave warm bed sheets to many families, and I preached in a few churches.
But the best part of my trip was to conduct couples retreats for pastors and their wives. More than 220 pastor couples attended the one-day seminars and shared moving testimonies of the impact of these meetings on their marriages and ministry.
At Standing Stone, we are grateful to be part of God’s work of healing, redemption, and restoration around the world. Thank you for partnering with us in this Kingdom work.
WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
More people than ever before report feeling “hopeless” about the state of world affairs. People have lost faith in systems and programs, in “facts” and “promises.” For many, 2024 began with a bleak prospect.
For the Christian, this need not be so!
In gathering darkness, the Gospel truth shines brighter than ever:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed…
Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:8, 15-18
In this new year, may we fix our eyes–deliberately and consistently–on the eternal glory of our risen Lord Jesus, who is coming again. He sustains us whether we are perplexed, despairing, persecuted, abandoned, or struck down. Because of Him, we are NOT DESTROYED and never will be.
And that is good news to start a year with!
