Mary N. - Health

"Prayers for a safe drive home would be greatly appreciated! I woke up with a sore throat and not feeling my best."

CS Youth Retreat

Please continue to pray for our Cascade Youth Retreat happening now (this weekend) at Camp Kuratli. Pray for leaders and volunteers. Pray for our young people that they will draw closer to our Lord! Bless them and may God keep them safe as they travel home tomorrow.

Jeannette - Joni Erickson Tada

"For those who schooled with me.. we all remember fondly Joni & Mr. Ken Tada... Joni is suffering from complications from a second go round with breast cancer. Having pain & difficulty breathing.. Her ministry has asked that we pray. In honor of @joni.eareckson.tada read JAMES 5:16
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Amen"

Jeff P. - Healing

"Stepped in a hole on Saturday while I was running with some traffic cones and jolted my back and hip.  Dang!  It is so painful today.  Can't believe how much a small portion of your body can cause so much grief to the whole body.  It reminds me how, as Christians,  we are all connected.  The pain a portion of our body experiences is felt by, and affects, the whole body.  Or at least it should if we are mirroring the image of Christ with our lives and showing empathy and compassion to our fellow believers.  How cool is it to belong to the family of God and to be a part of that body.  I am grateful for all of you that have been a part of my life over the years.  Thank you!  I love you guys!"

Raymond E.K. ‐ Health

"Dealing with a major sinus infection.  Traveling today, prayers appreciated."

Pray for Chinese Brothers and Sisters

FOURTH LARGE HOUSE CHURCH IN CHINA SHUT DOWN, BANNED

March 28, 2019 by Lindy Lowry in Asia, Stories of Persecution

1,000-member Shouwang Church faces continued persecution

Another large house church in China has been raided. Shouwang Church in Beijing—one of the largest in the city—makes the fourth major underground congregation shut down by the Communist government since September 2018.

The church, which draws more than 1,000 attendees, has been formally banned. On Saturday, March 23, at around 1:50 p.m., more than 20 police officers and other Chinese government officials reportedly raided a Bible school class at  Shouwang Church.
Locks were switched out to prevent church members from returning. An unspecified number of branches across the city have been shuttered, ChinaAid’s Brynne Lawrence told Open Doors USA.
Shouwang Church members refused to sign a document pledging to never attend the church again, and leaders said the house church will continue to worship by adjusting meeting times and locations.
Church leaders issued a statement to its members, saying it does not accept the authorities’ decision to ban their church and that it will continue to operate “while adjusting its meeting venues and methods.”

A RENEWED EFFORT TO QUASH SHOUWANG CHURCH

Members of Shouwang Church after police halted Bible classses
The church had been charged with violating the country’s Regulations of Religious Affairs and Regulations on the Registration and Management of Social Organizations by operating without government registration.
Christianity Today reported that throughout Shouwang Church’s 26-year history, Shouwang members have refused to come under Communist authority and persevered despite persecution, with their “underground” services forced outside when evicted from their buildings in 2009 and with their founding pastor Jin Tianming under house arrest since 2011.
Lawrence noted that Pastor Tianming’s situation has recently worsened. “Before, he was allowed to do things like go to the downstairs portion of his apartment complex,” she said,  “but now, he cannot leave at all.” 
This recent raid represents a “renewed effort to quash Shouwang Church,” Lawerence said.

STANDING IN UNITY WITH SHOUWANG CHURCH

Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church remain under arrest and detained since the December 2018 raid.
The raid on Shouwang Church echoes recent incidents focused on large underground churches in China such as Early Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan, Zion Church in Beijing and Rongguli Church in Guangzhou. Members of Early Rain, who have maintained visibility and a public voice since the December 2018 raid on their church, issued a statement of solidarity with Shouwang.
“When we heard that Shouwang Church is being persecuted again, […] and other churches facing various pressure from the government, we kneeled down to pray to give thanks and praises to our God, because we are delighted that the bride of Christ is closely following her husband.”
Early Rain’s pastor Wang Yi remains detained with a dozen church leaders. He and others were extremely vocal about their opinion on China’s new religious regulations implemented in February of this year. The rules restrict proselytizing and charitable work, crack down on religious education for minors, limit the collection of donations, and forbid posting some faith-based content online. They also require churches to register with the government, which empowers officials to censor sermons, choose or reject pastors, and otherwise interfere with worship. The government has also begun installing facial-recognition technology in many registered churches.
In a letter Wang wrote anticipating his arrest,Pastor Wang observed: “the persecution of the Lord’s Church and all Chinese who believe in Jesus Christ is the most evil and terrible sin of Chinese society. This is not only a crime against Christians, but also a crime against all non-Christians. Because the government violently and cruelly threatened them and prevented them from coming to Jesus, there is nothing more sinful than this.”
Yet earlier this month, leaders of state-run churches shared more vocal support for the government’s “sinicization” plan, to infuse sectors of society with more cultural and party alignment. “[We] must recognize that Chinese churches are surnamed ‘China’, not ‘the West,’” the head of the state-run Protestant body said. “The actions by anti-China forces that attempt to affect our social stability or even subvert the regime of our country are doomed to fail.”

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH IN CHINA

Photo: Early Rain Covenant Church
God has given the global Body of Christ the privilege and responsibility to get on our knees and join in fervent prayer around the church in China. The situation in China is likely to continue to escalate as the Chinese Communist Party increases its power and focus on Chinese nationalism, says Open Doors CEO David Curry.
“There will be even more pressure on the Body of Christ in China,” Curry said. ”The government is trying to force out unregistered churches. Those churches that are registered, they approve sermons, these kinds of things, slowly turning up the heat and making it a ‘Chinese’ church, not a church of Jesus.” 
The church in China needs our prayers and encouragement to stand strong. Conversely, we can also learn from these stalwart Christians who are now risking their lives to stand up for the gospel.
A few months ago, one of Open Doors’ indigenous ministry partners who works to equip church leaders in China offered this insight: “The situation on the ground [in China] is always changing. Don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions about what China needs. Pray for wisdom for the leaders. Pray with us.” She shared specific prayer needs for church leaders and churches in China:

Fortitude. Pray with Chinese Christians and church leaders for the fortitude to withstand increasing pressure and violent acts of persecution.

Empowerment. Pray that God would empower His church in China to reach the next generation.

Wisdom. Pray that leaders in China’s churches would have the wisdom to know how to handle the pressure they are coming under.

Workers for the harvest. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers to plant and nurture seeds that will ultimately bring forth an abundance of Kingdom fruit

Nancy D. - Child’s Health

Team Cascade,

 

Would you please join in prayer for a young child in Boise. Tennleigh attends their Wednesday youth programs and is in surgery now for severe infection. Her medical team anticipates a 2 week hospital stay and Mom has 6 other kids to care for as well. The corps family is supporting the family with meals.

 

This will be a rough stretch for this family and the Boise team will appreciate your prayer support for Tennleigh and family.

 

Thanks. Be blessed this weekend!

Men's Group

1. Dan and Kathy R. going today to France
2. Dan C. - Family going through grieve (brother Barry PTG). Pray for his wife Luci's health.
3. Al H. - His girlfriend's health and her goal to getting to Oregon from California.
4. Al Z. - Praise the Lord for the birth of his great granddaughter. Praise the Lord that he and Dave W. went for breakfast. Continue to pray for Dave and his health.
5. Orlando's nephew coming to live with him and his mom in two weeks. Pray for a smooth transition.
6. Praise the Lord for Ross, Orlando for helping Dorthy clean and fix her house, so that she won't be evicted.  Her home passed the inspection. 

Pray for Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe - 300 confirmed deaths

-Most of the port city of Beira is under water (bbc.com)


WITH wind speeds reaching 124 miles per hour (200 km/hour), Cyclone Idai has caused widespread devastation across a large swathe of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Local media reports suggest that 1,000 people have lost their lives in Mozambique alone. With roads flooded and the regional airport closed, 500,000 people have been cut off in Beira, one of Mozambique’s largest cities. Reports suggest that up to 90 per cent of the region has been destroyed. The Salvation Army is implementing emergency responses in each of the three countries.

For more info: https://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/inr200319

Nancy D. - Prayers

"There are several concerns that we can be praying over this week:

 Captain Angel Marquez’ grandmother passed away Sunday morning. Please be in prayer from Angel and her Mom Nellie.

Major John Horgen (retired officer) is celebrating in heaven this morning also. He leaves behind a legacy of love for his family and the people he served in many corps appointments. Please be in prayer for his daughters Gaylene, Sue and Jane and the extended family.

There are a number of officers struggling with health concerns. God knows there specific need. Would you please join the DHQ team in praying for these unspoken concerns?

Travel safety for the Business Roundtables and for Major Dan as he leads them. Our work has gotten very complicated and these times together are important to stay up to date with new opportunities and challenges. My prayer is that your Board members will be inspired as they engage in these meetings."

Tami S. - Throat Surgery

Please pray for one of our staff - Tami.  Her surgery occurred and is in recovery.  Please pray for comfort as she heals from this surgery. 

Open Doors USA - N. Korean Christians

Critical need: mass food shortages in North Korea are significantly impacting secret believers in the region. Leaders of the church in North Korea tell us that without food and other urgent aid, the North Korean church isn’t able to function.

As the Body of Christ, we are His hands and feet, caring for the needs of our brothers and sisters throughout North Korea—and the rest of the world. Open Doors brings aid to believers, equipping and empowering them to be the church. Learn more on our site about how you can help.

For more info: www.opendoorsusa.org

Marcos M. - Wife's Grandma PTG

"Angel’s grandma passed away a few hours ago. Please keep the family in prayer. Thank You."

Pray for Nigeria - 120 Christians death

Nigerian Muslim Militants Kill 120 Christians in Three Weeks 

THOMAS D. WILLIAMS, PH.D. 16 Mar 2019

The recent death toll of Christians in Nigeria has reached 120 with this week’s slaughter of more than 50 by Fulani Muslim militants in the Kaduna state of Nigeria, the Christian Post reported.

The Fulani jihadists, who have become a greater threat to Nigerian Christians than the Islamist terror group Boko Haram, stormed the villages of Inkirimi, Dogonnoma, and Ungwan Gora in the Kajuru Local Government Area last Monday, destroying 143 homes, killing 52 people, and wounding dozen more. 

For More Info: https://www.breitbart.com/africa/2019/03/16/nigerian-muslim-militants-kill-120-christians-three-weeks/

Janet S. - Son's Health

"Pray for my son. We are at the emergency room and he is sick"

Pray for New Zealand - 49 Deaths

BREAKING: New Zealand’s leader vows its “gun laws will change.” Suspect had license to carry the types of guns used in deadly attacks. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke one day after 49 people were killed and dozens more injured in shootings at two mosques. According to the prime minister, investigators at the scene found five guns allegedly used by the primary suspect: Two semi-automatic weapons, two shotguns and a lever-action firearm.

• Authorities said they had three people in custody. One man in his late 20s, an Australian national whom the authorities declined to name, was charged with murder and is expected in court on Saturday morning.

• Authorities are calling the attack an act of terrorism that made for “one of New Zealand’s darkest days,” according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

• The shooter had five guns; two semi-automatic rifles and two shotguns, as well as a level-action firearm that officials believe were purchased legally.

• A live video that appeared to be of one of the shootings was streamed on Facebook and uploaded to other sites like Twitter and YouTube, raising questions about the role social media plays in radicalization.

• Police also said they were investigating a 74-page manifesto that had been left behind after the shooting and that railed against Muslims and immigrants and cites other right-wing extremists who have committed mass acts of violence.

For more info: https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/nation/2019/03/15/shootings-reported-mosques-christchurch-new-zealand/

Dan C. - Brother Barry PTG

Please pray for Dan and his family during this difficult time. His brother, Barrry, died this morning after his battle with pneumonia. May God's peace and comfort be upon this family. May everything fall in place as they prepare and arrange for Barry's funeral and celebration of life service.

Dan W. - Health

Please continue to pray for Dan. He has been sick since Saturday and today, he didn't make it to work. Pray for healing and restoration. May God's healing hand and comfort be upon Him!

Pray for Brazil - School Shooting

SAO PAULO — Two armed men wearing face masks entered a Brazilian elementary school Wednesday and shot and killed at least six children who were on their snack break, as well as two school officials, before fatally turning their guns on themselves, police said.

Ten people, including the gunmen, were killed in total, Sao Paulo police said.
The unidentified gunmen, who appeared to be between 20 and 25 years of age, shot and killed a worker at a nearby car wash before their attack at the Raul Brasil school, police said. More than 1,000 children, ages 11 to 15, attend classes there.

For more info: https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0LNvRST3?s=a99&pd=70993952

Andree A. - Brother PTG

"My brother died this morning in Tennessee."

May God comfort Andree and her family during this time. May His peace be upon them during this difficult time.

Chris G. - Health Update (Needs Kidney)

"So I thought I would give an update regarding my #kidneytransplant. I just got my numbers back today and they are good, in fact they are better than good and I am grateful for my medical team who are treating me with this major health challenge. I still need a #kidney and if your would consider #kidneytransplant for me, please PM and I can tell you the steps to take that would help me live a longer life. I still need to have my heart test as my medical team at UC Irvine want to consider giving me a pancreas as well. Overall I am in better spirits, I am no longer dealing with the flu that I had for 6 weeks, not dealing with high blood pressure and I am having more "good" days. I am grateful for my family, my friends, and my classmates/ changemakers University of Redlands School of Business who keep me grounded and forward thinking. I look forward to returning to work full time as I work through this process of improving my health."

#lifefromthechair #kidney #kidneytransplant #socalfamilynorcalfriends #lifeisgood #itisgoodtobegolden

Plane Crash - 157 deaths

Prayers Needed: Plane Carrying 157 People Crashes Minutes After Takeoff, No Survivors Reported

Tragic news shook the world on Sunday morning, March 10th. A plane carrying 157 people — 149 passengers and 8 crew members — crashed just a few minutes after takeoff in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, there were no survivors.

Eight of the people on board were Americans. The other passengers on board were from 1 of 32 other countries across the globe. The identities of the American passengers have not been revealed to the public as of 12:15 PM ET.

BentaMkenyabingwa@mkenya_bingwa

BREAKING NEWS: No survivors in Ethiopia plane crash; 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, 6 Egyptians, 9 Ethiopians, 7 French, 8 Americans and 7 Britons among the 157 dead in the crash.

More Info: https://www.faithfamilyamerica.com/ethiopia_plane_crash

Roxanne's Husband - Health

We got a message today that one of our church member's husband has been hospitalized due to a heart attack. He has been moved to Portland hospital. Pray for healing and pray for Roxanne and her family.

Plane Crash - 12 Dead

Claims the Lives of 12 People, Prayers Needed

MAR 09, 2019

Prayers are needed following a tragic plane crash that took place on Saturday morning, March 9th. The crash sadly claimed the lives of all 12 people on board.

More info: https://www.faithfamilyamerica.com/colombia_plane_crash?

Carrie H. - health update

She is feeling hopeful.

"❤️❤️❤️ I am truly so deeply grateful to ALL who continue to PRAY & ENCOURAGE me to keep hanging in here❣️❣️❣️ As I continue to battle extreme abdominal & stomach pains along with the heavy mucus that gets stuck in my throat continually, I am awaiting MORE test results & try hard to deal with my daily struggles with the pain and feeling so sick. I know many want me to see other drs but most recently I’ve started with a New Natural Medicine Dr., a great acupuncturist, and a nutritionist. But so far no healing or answers! 💔 So I kindly request added PRAYER PLEASE as I am struggling to get through my days and nights. Is it ok to share I’m getting REALLY scared??? My acupuncturist has started me on a new mixture of Chinese Herbal Tea to help get my gut to heal. 🙏🙏🙏 No help yet. 😭 I’ve also been put on a diet of white rice porridge, cooked carrots, cooked zucchini, and a little baked chicken for each meal. No fruits or raw veggies. With only water or tea. That’s it!!!!"

Rachel J. - Health Update

"Health update – first let me say thank you to all of you who have supported me through prayers, Facebook messages, and truly awesome cards!  And a huge thank you to my champion Mike J., who is my love and best supporter.

We still do no know what is the cause of my lungs filling up and causing me pain and the inability to breathe, but we are currently leaning towards autoimmune.  I have some breathing tests, follow up appointments, and steroids for the next couple of weeks, so hopefully we may figure it out.  Even if we don’t though, God’s still in control.  Please continue to pray for me."

Karen G. - Health

Please continue to pray for Karen's health. Pray that the right medication will be given to her and pray for healing. Pray for her daughter as she comes to help her. Above all, may God's hand be upon her during this time.

Terrence G. -Mom's Health

"I am heading home from a week in Phoenix visiting my mom who is still hospitalized. I have some good and bad news to share about her health. The good news is that she seems to be recovering well after the surgeries to repair two brain aneurysms, despite the mini-stroke she suffered. Both her cognitive and her right side physical functions are almost back to normal. This week however, due to some unusual bleeding caused by the many blood thinners she is taking, her doctors discovered that she has endometrial cancer. Her team of doctors are working to figure out the best course of treatment for her, which will likely mean surgery. In the mean time, they are focused on getting her well before dealing with her new diagnosis. Thank you everyone that have prayed, called, texted and sent their regards. Please continue to keep my mom and my family in your prayers."

Lisa S. - Family

"Hello prayer warriors please pray for my family! Thanks"

Foster Care - In the News

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — A large drug bust by the Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team put 65 adults in four eastern Oregon counties behind bars, but also sent 38 children into the foster care system overnight.
The East Oregonian reported Friday that the sudden influx of children needing foster care in January sent caseworkers scrambling and courtrooms working overtime.
The families impacted were in Umatilla, Morrow, Union and Gilliam counties.
Jesus Rome, the director of Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, says he's never seen that many children enter the foster care system in a single month in his seven years on the job.
Some of the children impacted by the drug sting still haven't been paired with special court advocates.