In a recent quarterly prayer update, Mark Prater writes,

‘The author of Hebrews reminds us of the access we have to God because of the finished work of our great high priest, Jesus Christ. He writes, "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). Because of Jesus, we can actually enter the throne room of God when we pray. In his commentary, Matthew Harmon says this, "Prayer is one of God’s greatest gifts to His people. Who are we to enter the very throne room of the God of the universe? Yet because of the work of Christ we are able to do so.” Prayer is a gift from God because when we pray, we enter the very throne room of God because of Christ, and God leans in to hear our prayers.’

Friends, how incredible is that! As we pray, we are able to enter into the very throne room of God, who will hear and answer our requests according to His good will. What a wonder! So with that in mind, here’s some requests you could take in on our behalf over this next month…

1. Please pray for our current US Pastors College class, who will graduate on May 30th, asking God to give them grace for their transition back home, and to use their training to serve their church in any way that is needed.

2. Please pray for the 19 brothers in the Philippines who are beginning the 10 month ordination track this month. They represent the many candidate churches that have been pursuing Sovereign Grace for some time. Please pray for them and for all those in the Philippines, Australia and US involved in the SGC Adhoc Philippines Ordination Committee, serving in this important and strategic endeavour.  

3. Please pray for Juan Solano, a Sovereign Grace ordained elder from San Jose, Costa Rica, and his family who were commissioned to Lebanon to reach Muslims with the gospel a year ago. Pray for their ongoing protection and safety during the military engagement in the Middle East. Pray also that Juanjo can plant a Sovereign Grace church sometime in the next few years and eventually equip and ordain Lebanese pastors to lead the church.

4. Please pray for Carlos Contreras, Sr. Pastor of Iglesia Gracia Soberana in Juárez, Mexico, and National Leader of SGC Mexico, and he leads the Mexico National Assembly of Elders meeting, May 11th-14th, in Guadalajara, Mexico asking God to empower his leadership, and to give the pastors in Mexico wisdom for the decisions they will make to serve the churches in their nation.

5. Please pray for Joel Shorey, our Director of Church Planting, as he heads to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to teach at the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College, 24th-31st May on Church Planting. Please pray this is a wonderful time for each of the nine PC students and that they’ll be encouraged and strengthened for the days ahead.

6. Please pray that wherever we find ourselves in the world, that God would give the members of Sovereign Grace Churches a renewed desire, and opportunities to share the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with the unbelievers in our communities, colleges and workplaces.

7. Please pray that God would continue to provide financially for Sovereign Grace Churches so that we can continue to fund the gospel opportunities that He is giving us throughout the world. And also, for wisdom for the various Global Development Fund Committees that will begin to gather this month to discuss the many global opportunities in the financial year ahead.

… As we approach Him in these things, may His grace abound!

The NE Region of the United States recently gathered together as a region to run through the Antioch Project together and i went exceptionally well! Here’s a comment from Joel Shorey, our Director of Church Planting…

The US Northeast region had our National Church Planting Group in for their regional assembly in order to attend the Antioch Project together.

Many thanks to Ricky Alcantar and Mike Seaver for helping me lead through this. It was a WONDERFUL time of fellowship, of having their hearts stirred towards mission, and of praying for hours together to the Lord of the harvest.

They even had some friendly competition! (congrats to our Executive Director Mark Prater for taking home the trophy!)

if you’d like to hear more about this fantastic time together, then listen in as Ben Kreps interviews Mark and the Antioch Team on the Mark Prater Podcast. So good!!

An update from Joselo Mercado, Lead Pastor of Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, and SGC Key Leader for our work in LATAM…

I recently had the joy of traveling to Colombia for several days of ministry, fellowship, and encouragement alongside dear brothers serving the Lord. This trip included time in Apartadó, Sincelejo, and Barranquilla, and it was deeply encouraging to witness what God is doing through local churches and church planting efforts in these regions. Throughout the trip, I was especially grateful to serve together with Jacobis Aldana, Ángel, and other pastors and leaders who are laboring faithfully for the advance of the gospel.

Our first stop was Apartadó, a growing city in the northwest corner of Colombia. Apartadó is especially significant because it serves as a gateway to the Darién Gap, a region known not only for its geographic importance but also for the many human needs that surround it. The city itself is growing, and with that growth comes many opportunities for gospel ministry. We spent a day there with Pastor Brayan, and it was a very meaningful time.

The church in Apartadó is about seven years old, and it is encouraging to see that it is growing steadily. Even in the short time we had there, it was evident that the Lord is building his church. One of the greatest blessings of that visit was being able to encourage Pastor Brayan personally. Pastoral ministry can often feel lonely, especially in younger churches or in places where leaders carry many burdens. It was a privilege to listen, to pray, and to strengthen his hands in the work.

In addition to spending time with Pastor Brayan, we were also able to meet with ten of his leaders. This was a particularly valuable time because our conversation centered on adoption and walking together. These discussions were important not only because of the practical implications for partnership, but because they reflected a shared desire for healthy church life, sound doctrine, and meaningful accountability. It was encouraging to see the seriousness with which these leaders are thinking about the future of the church and the possibility of deeper relationships within a broader family of churches. There was openness, humility, and a genuine desire to grow in wisdom and faithfulness.

From Apartadó, we traveled to Sincelejo, the capital city of Sucre. This part of the trip was also especially meaningful because Sincelejo is where Ángel planted the first Sovereign Grace Churches church in Colombia about two years ago. It was a joy to see firsthand what the Lord has been doing there in such a relatively short period of time. The church is growing, and there is a clear sense of excitement and gratitude among the people.

One of the most encouraging aspects of our time in Sincelejo was seeing how much the congregation was looking forward to Ángel’s ordination. There was real joy among the members, not merely because of the event itself, but because of what it represented: the Lord’s faithfulness over time, the maturing of a local church, and the public recognition of a man who has served and labored among them. Ordination services can sometimes feel formal or procedural, but in Sincelejo there was a warmth and anticipation that made it clear this was a moment of genuine thanksgiving to God.

On Wednesday, we held a workshop on crisis and the gospel. This was an especially important time because crisis often reveals what we truly believe and where we instinctively turn for hope. The workshop gave us opportunity to reflect on how the gospel not only saves sinners but also sustains believers in seasons of suffering, confusion, pressure, and weakness. We sought to show that the gospel is not merely the entry point into the Christian life; it is the foundation for endurance, wisdom, humility, and hope in the midst of crisis. The interaction was encouraging, and it was clear that this was a topic of real relevance to those present.

On Thursday, we spent time with Ángel, Jacobis, and also the two pastors from Barranquilla, Alejo and Rodolfo. That day included good conversation, mutual encouragement, and time to think together about ministry, pastoral faithfulness, and the needs of the churches. We also had lunch with leaders, which provided another opportunity to strengthen relationships and reflect on the work the Lord is doing in the region. Shared meals in these kinds of trips are often more significant than they may appear at first glance. Around the table, trust deepens, burdens are shared, and vision is reinforced.

Later that same day, we had the ordination service. It was a beautiful time and a reminder that ordination is not simply about recognizing giftedness, but about affirming character, doctrine, calling, and proven service. It is one of the ways the church publicly acknowledges the grace of God at work in a man’s life and ministry. The service was marked by joy, seriousness, and gratitude to the Lord.

On Friday, we traveled to Barranquilla, where Bob Wright and his son-in-law Tercer joined us. Their presence added to the sense of partnership and shared mission that marked the whole trip. In Barranquilla we had another wonderful ordination service, this time for Ángel and Rodolfo. It was deeply encouraging to witness these moments and to see local churches strengthened through the recognition of faithful men set apart for pastoral ministry.

The ordination service in Barranquilla was especially meaningful because it reflected both the local and broader dimensions of church life. On the one hand, these were men known and loved by the congregations they serve. On the other hand, the presence of pastors and leaders from different cities highlighted the blessing of walking together in shared doctrine, mutual support, and gospel partnership. That kind of unity is not automatic; it is something the Lord gives and something that must be cultivated carefully over time.

Looking back on the entire trip, I am deeply grateful. It was encouraging to see churches growing, pastors being strengthened, leaders asking good questions, and congregations rejoicing in the faithfulness of God. From Apartadó to Sincelejo to Barranquilla, the Lord gave us tangible reminders that he is at work in Colombia. He is raising up leaders, establishing churches, deepening partnerships, and giving his people joy in the gospel.

I was also reminded again that ministry trips like this are not only about events, workshops, or meetings. They are about encouraging men on the field, building trust, strengthening churches, and helping foster long-term faithfulness. Our day in Apartadó with Pastor Brayan and his leaders was important. Our time in Sincelejo with Ángel and the growing church there was important. The workshop on crisis and the gospel was important. The fellowship with Alejo, Rodolfo, Bob Wright, Tercer, and others was important. And certainly, the ordination services were important. But taken together, these moments tell a larger story: God is building his church, and it is a privilege to walk alongside brothers who are giving themselves to that work.

Please continue praying for Pastor Brayan in Apartadó, for Ángel and the church in Sincelejo, for Alejo and Rodolfo in Barranquilla, and for all the leaders involved. Pray that the Lord would keep these men humble, faithful, courageous, and full of love for Christ and his people. Pray also that the churches would continue to grow not only numerically, but in sound doctrine, holiness, unity, and mission. This trip left me thankful, strengthened, and hopeful for what the Lord will continue to do in Colombia.

An update from Mark Prater, Executive Director of Sovereign Grace Churches…

As Sovereign Grace Churches expands globally, we see the need to establish strategic centers throughout the world that provide theological training to equip men for pastoral ministry and that can serve as a mission base from which we send pastors to plant new churches. Over the past 6 years, God has used the leadership of Michael Granger, Sr. Pastor of Trinity Fellowship, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Josh Pannell, Dean of the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College to establish a strategic center for Sovereign Grace on the continent of Africa. Since 2022, the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College has equipped and graduated 21 men (11 in 2022, and 10 in 2024), ordained 4 pastors (1 from Kenya, 3 from Ethiopia), planted a church in Nairobi, Kenya, and started a third PC class (2026).

I had the privilege of being in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 23-April 2, 2026, to teach two courses to our 2026 Trinity Fellowship Pastors College class, one on pneumatology, and one on continuationism. The class has 9 men from 3 different nations; 1 from Pakistan, 3 from Kenya, and 5 from Ethiopia. Because these men come from different church backgrounds, some Pentecostal, some Orthodox (Ethiopian Coptic), some cessationist, they had good questions regarding our pneumatology and continuationist convictions.

After every teaching session, we had good, even lively discussion that helped them fortify their theological convictions in these two important areas. The men in this class not only asked good theological questions, but they also asked good methodological questions especially as it relates to the use of the spiritual gifts in the local church. They wanted to know how the gifts could be used in a way that honors Scripture, serves the church, and brings glory to Christ. Their questions were answered, and again their convictions were solidified not only by our discussion, but through a time of ministry for them.

Four members of my church, Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA, joined me in Addis Ababa the weekend after I taught pneumatology, and before I taught continuationism giving us an opportunity to pray for each of the men in the class. They were not only encouraged, but they saw how the gifts can be used to serve others and glorify God. In other words, they saw our theological convictions put into practice in a way that removed skepticism, answered their questions, and built their faith. One of the married PC students told me that his wife was reluctant to come to the ministry time on Saturday because of some bad experiences from her Pentecostal past. As we prayed for this couple, she was in tears and later told her husband that she was not only encouraged, but she also wants to pursue her gifts to serve the church.

After spending two weeks with these 9 students, I found it hard to leave. I told them I would miss them, and I still do because I grew to appreciate and love these men for many reasons. They are sincere, godly men who want to be theologically and pastorally equipped to serve Christ and His church. They are also all younger men (everybody is younger than me these days!), and therefore, represent the future for Sovereign Grace in East Africa and beyond. After being with Michael Granger, Josh Pannell, recently ordained Ethiopian pastors (Amanuel Yehuwalashet and Yeabtsega Hailie), and the 9 Pastors College students, I flew home with great hope for our future because of the godly men who are devoted to advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ on the continent of Africa for the glory of God alone.

An update from Ed O’Mara, Lead Pastor of Chiesa Grazia Sovrana di Torino, Italy and SGC Area Leader for Europe…

Acts 28:12 says “Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.” It seems like a fairly minor contribution in Paul’s journey from Malta to Rome. Church tradition tells us that during the three days in which Paul was in Siracusa, he preached the gospel in a catacomb under what is now Saint John’s Church. These are not merely historical tidbits. The preaching of the gospel formed and strengthened the Christian community in this once-pagan part of Sicily. In Sovereign Grace, our heartbeat is to seek churches formed and strengthened through the apostolic preaching of the cross and to do so in every nation and city to which the Lord directs us.

In light of this, it was a particular blessing for the SG European Pastors to gather in Sicily, where Paul once laid foundations on which we continue to build as elders in Sovereign Grace. Though the SG European Area is nascent and forming, the Lord is doing good things among us. Our annual retreat occurred from 17-21 March and 17 men joined together in Viagrande, Sicily (about 80 km north of Siracusa) to study eldership and partnership. Pastors and pastoral candidates came from Ireland, Wales, England, Spain, Italy, and Belarus. We were hosted by Grazia e Verità, which is an SG candidate church led by Giuseppe Fortuna. Dave Taylor, our friend and SGC Director of Global Strategy & Development, joined us to lead much of the teaching.

We are deeply grateful that God is solidifying our commitment to SG partnership and because of the high value we place on pastoral ministry, we decided to focus our time on the nuts and bolts of our ecclesiastical union. We focused on the role and office of elders, the importance of plurality and team ministry, the commission to raise future elders, and the shape of our partnership. Through the teachings and subsequent discussions, we were sharpened and encouraged, and those exploring next steps toward SG partnership were helped to understand how we function together as a family of churches. 

Of course, no visit to Sicily would be complete without experiencing Sicilian hospitality, which means Sicilian food! We were very well fed and in fact one of the highlights was joining together with Grazia e Verità for an evening service. The ladies of the church provided a full-spread of local specialties. The real blessing, though, was that the local church members and our SG Europe pastors were able to get to know each other. In moments like these we see that partnership is not mere association, but a relational reality! It is good to be part of a family like ours!

Similarly, we made sure to have time to relate together as pastors, both over meals and breaks and through exploring various places of local importance. We had the opportunity to take a drive up Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. We also visited the city of Siracusa where we toured the catacomb in which Paul preached the gospel, saw the port in which his ship docked, and visited other ancient Siracusan sites. This was topped with a seemingly-unending Sicilian meal and lots of great conversations and fellowship. Again, as wonderful as it was to have the opportunity to visit these locations and eat great food, being together and strengthening our relationships and our partnership was the real highlight and value of the retreat! 

Moving forward, we are seeking to continue to grow the SG Europe Area into an identifiable group who are committed to working together in meaningful partnership. We are continuing to work with churches interested in joining SG in Europe, and we are regularly meeting through zoom calls to strengthen one another in the pastoral task and in our partnership. This will be an ongoing work, but it is well worth it because partnership matters and is valuable. As we identify, strengthen, and form elders who are committed to preaching the gospel and building churches and partnership on that preaching, we are confident that the Lord will use these few days in Sicily to contribute to the testimony of His glory in Europe.

C.H. Spurgeon writes,

‘For we must steadfastly set our faces, if by any means we may save some, resolving that whatever happens, we will leave no stone unturned to effect the salvation of those around us.’

That’s our eager desire in Sovereign Grace Churches, to ‘leave no stone unturned to effect the salvation of those around us’, and that’s the very reason that we seek to plant and strengthen churches.

This video highlights the efforts of one of our local churches, Cross of Grace Church in Santa Ana, CA. As a city with one of the largest Hispanic populations in the U.S., mission is inherently cross-cultural. In this video, you will hear stories of how God is working through the bold efforts of one small local church, for which we give thanks.

May this be one of many missional effort stories, as we seek to leave ‘no stone unturned’.

Psalm 121.1-2 says,  ‘I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.'

As we pray, that’s who's listening and that’s who we get to come to! The LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. The One who was and is and is to come, who will not let our foot be moved, who is our shade at our right hand, and who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The LORD is the One who will help us and so as we pray, what a privilege and what an opportunity this really is!!

So, with that in mind, here are some ways that you can be praying for all things Global Missions in the month ahead…

1. Please pray that wherever we find ourselves in this big world, that God would give the members of Sovereign Grace Churches a renewed desire, and opportunities to share the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with the unbelievers in our communities, colleges and workplaces. With Easter this weekend, may we seize this moment in our nations and neighbourhoods to make much of Jesus.

2. Please pray for the many Bridge Courses that will be starting after Easter. Such wonderful opportunities for people to explore faith in Christ. Please pray that many would be invited, many would come, and many would come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

3. Please pray for the 14 brothers in the Philippines who are beginning the 12 month ordination track. It’s so important that we strengthen the work there in this way, and with so many brothers having either been through the Philippines Pastors Institute or had in-house training in Manila, this is an exciting development for them. Please pray that grace would abound as they work through this season as a cohort.

4. Please pray for the Antioch Retreat, April 24-25th, for the US NE Region. Please pray that the Lord would use it to give pastoral teams a common vision and unity in the area of mission, and that He’d use it to build up and encourage any pastors or teams that feel weary or weak in this area of mission. This will be the biggest group yet for the Antioch Team, and so please pray it’s a wonderful time for everyone involved.

5. Please continue to pray for our SGC Commissioned Pastor in Lebanon, Juan Solano, and his family. Since the war broke out things have escalated a great deal in Beirut, with evacuation orders in place. Juan and his family are safe, but let’s please be praying for them, for favour as they seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around them, and for wisdom as to what to do next in the days ahead.

 … Thank you so much for praying. May His grace abound to us all!

An update from Jeffrey Jo, Lead Pastor of CCSGM in Manila, and National Leader for SGC Philippines…

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"For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God". 1 Thessalonians 1:9

It was more than 15 years ago when the Lord opened the door for us to reach the Manobo tribe on the mountain of Cabangahan, Surigao del Su, Mindanao, Philippines. I can still remember hiking for 7 hours, and crossing through a river. With jungle bolos in our hands, we paved the way in the forest for an easier path to reach this warrior tribe. In a very miraculous way, the tribe welcomed us and welcomed the gospel of Christ that we preached to them. We stayed with them for the next 5 days, patiently teaching them how the resurrected Christ broke the walls of hostility.

“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” Ephesians 2:14-16.

Such message of love, justice, mercy and reconciliation with God through the finished work of Christ brought peace among the warring tribes in their region.

After a year of monthly visits, we were able to raise up a pastor, Rolando Agyang, and some men who served as elders in the first local church in their tribal community. But as we trained them to do works of the ministry, we were also planting churches among the Manobo tribes in the other mountains, in places like Pantukan, Gacub and Nangka. As our “base church”, we also planted a church in Gamuton, in a downtown area in Carascal, Surigao del Sur, whom the late Oscar Tagyam stood as the lead pastor. He himself was a former Manobo tribal leader in that region.

Rolando Agyang passed away in March 26, 2023 but the work of the Lord continues. God has been so kind to call to ministry one of Rolando’s sons, Lewes. Lewes was a maritime engineer with big dreams for his future, and yet when he heeded God’s call on his life, he gave up his dream and pursued serving the Lord and His church. Lewes is one of the PPI (Philippine Pastors Institute) graduates of our Foundational Theology course, and he is presently one of the PPI students in our Pastoral Theology course.

Today, the church is growing through the kindness of God in Lewes’ leadership. He is now raising 3 more elders as he pursues exercising plurality of leadership, which is one SGC’s seven-shared values. Lewes is also one of 14 candidates who will go through SGC’s ordination process this year.

Every time I think and pray for them, I cannot hold back my joy for God’s kindness and mercy towards them. Formerly these people worshipped stones, trees and stars but now they worship the Creator, the One and only true God as they continue to grow in the faithful teaching of God’s word.

The apostle John saw these things taking place and penned it this way:

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 7:9-12

May we all say “Amen” as we consider all that the Lord has done.

An update from Jaya Prakash Ravuri, Lead Pastor of Calvary Gospel Church, Gundugolanu, Andhra Pradesh, India….

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am Jaya Prakash, pastor of Calvary Gospel Church. On behalf of our entire church family, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Sovereign Grace Church for your precious gospel partnership, and especially for your generous partnership with us toward our church extension project.

I would like to briefly share our story.

We live in an orthodox Hindu community. My father, Mr. Subbarao, was a faithful believer and a local evangelist. In the 1990s, he started a small house church, which continued faithfully until 2015. I grew up in this fellowship, where we were about 20 members.

In 2015, my father went to be with the Lord. By God’s grace, I had received formal pastoral training, and I continued the ministry. As the Lord graciously brought new believers, our church began to grow steadily. Soon, we felt a deep need for a larger place of worship.

However, living in a community that is often resistant to the gospel, it was very difficult to acquire land for a church building, or have anyone willing to let us rent off them. In 2016, we added another floor to our house to accommodate around 70 people. By 2025, our congregation had grown to 80, and the space became too small. At times, people had to stand outside during the service due to lack of space.

Finding new land remained extremely difficult, so expanding our existing building became our only option. Our plan was to extend the church by an additional 500 square feet, which would allow space for about 70 more people, along with a pastor’s office and a guest room on the upper floor.

The estimated cost of this project was around $30,000. Most of our church members are daily wage earners with limited financial means, and we were only able to raise about 20% of the required funds.

I shared this need with Sovereign Grace through Dave Taylor and Todd Peterson of Cross of Grace Church in El Paso, Texas. We were not expecting what we received, and were deeply moved by the sacrificial giving of so many brothers and sisters from Sovereign Grace Churches and Cross of Grace Church. Our hearts were filled with joy and gratitude when we learned that Sovereign Grace was willing to support the remaining financial need.

By God’s grace, the construction was completed in about six months. Today, we have a much larger space where our congregation can gather comfortably. No longer do people need to stand outside. Truly, the Lord has done great things for us, and we give all glory and praise to His name.

On behalf of our entire church family, I extend our heartfelt thanks to each one of you who generously and sacrificially contributed to this project. Thank you for partnering with us in the gospel.

Looking ahead, we hope to acquire a nearby place where we can host special programs such as Christmas celebrations, church conferences, and Christian weddings. We humbly request you to keep us in your prayers.

With gratitude in Christ,
Jaya Prakash

An update from Juan Solano, our SGC Commissioned Pastor in Lebanon. Since the war broke out we’ve been keeping in regular contact, and just recently he wrote Mark Prater and I with the following. I asked him if I could share it here… I trust it encourages you as it did us. How kind of the Lord that we get to serve alongside brothers and sisters like this…

Dear Brothers,

First of all, both Lau and I would like to thank you for the great love you have shown to us by following up with us in this situation and being willing to support us in any circumstance. Every message has been a great encouragement to us and every prayer has contributed to our confidence in the Lord. We truly thank God for each one of you as friends, but also for the extended family of Sovereign Grace.

After Hezbollah became involved in the current war, Action — the missionary organization that we work with— recommended that we consider leaving Lebanon while the situation stabilized, although they understood if we chose to stay. We obviously took this recommendation seriously and spent several days considering what was best for our family at this time and praying about it. In the end, we decided to stay.

We are aware that the war is escalating significantly fast, both in the region and here in Lebanon, and we understand the risks of remaining in the country. But we are also convinced that God wants us here at this moment. Our children are still young and although we speak openly with them about the war — without giving details — they still do not understand what is happening. My wife and I are enjoying peace and even joy that only the Lord can give. We do not feel any kind of fear, anxiety, or stress.

One of the reasons we decided to stay is that over the past month we have been able to connect with some families in our area, and we have been intentional about growing those relationships. This past Saturday one of them asked me whether we were going to leave the country. My response was that we had come to live like them and that we wanted to be here to serve them because we love them. This man was extremely glad and told me he felt very loved by us. We see that there is greater value and purpose in staying at this moment.

The other reason is that we want to live out the theology that our lips profess. We want to live for Him who died for us (2 Cor 5:15). We know that our days have been determined by the Lord regardless of where we are (Psalm 90). We long to live for Christ and at this moment we do not fear death (Philippians 1:21). We are convinced that our souls belong to God and that we will never be separated from him (Romans 8).

For many years we have preached these truths in our church, and now is the time to live them and model them ourselves. We trust that God will give us grace as we depend on Him. And we ask you to pray so that our faith may not fail. If we die here, rejoice that we will have reached the goal. But until that happens, we will continue moving forward with the objectives we have.

Jude 24-25.

For Christ,
Juanjo and Lau

Joselo Mercado is the Lead Pastor of Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, and is the SGC Key Leader for our work in LATAM. He brings us this update from a recent trip to Bolivia and Colombia…

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From February 13–20, I had the joy of traveling to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and Medellín, Colombia, for a time of pastoral encouragement, teaching, and relational strengthening with churches connected to Sovereign Grace. This trip was especially meaningful to me personally, as it marked my first return to Santa Cruz in several years due to prior health challenges. Being able to resume this kind of ministry travel was itself a testimony to God’s sustaining grace.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (February 14–17)

From February 14–17, I had the privilege of spending time with Gracia Soberana Santa Cruz, pastored by David del Castillo alongside his father, Jorge del Castillo. It was a deep joy to reconnect with this church family after several years.

What I witnessed was profoundly encouraging. The church has grown numerically and spiritually. There are more leaders being raised up, a new meeting facility that better serves the congregation, and—most importantly—a visible hunger for the gospel. The maturity and clarity with which they are pursuing Christ reflect faithful pastoral labor over time.

This season also represents an important transition in leadership. Due to ongoing health challenges, Jorge has experienced significant vision loss, limiting his ability to carry the same pastoral responsibilities he once did. In light of this, David has stepped more fully into primary leadership. During my time there, it was evident that he is serving with humility, conviction, and growing pastoral strength. The congregation clearly respects him, and there is continuity rather than disruption. This transition, though born out of difficulty, is being handled with wisdom and grace. It was encouraging to witness both the honor given to Jorge’s longstanding ministry and the steady affirmation of David’s leadership in this new chapter.

Another highlight was seeing how the church has welcomed and integrated Cuban refugees into the life of the congregation. Several families who arrived in Bolivia seeking stability and opportunity have not only been received with compassion but have become active participants in the church’s mission. They are serving, building relationships, and growing in the faith. This visible expression of hospitality reflects the transforming power of the gospel. Part of this connection has come through relationships David has cultivated through the Simeon Trust ministry, which has strengthened pastoral networks and opened doors for meaningful gospel partnerships across borders. It was deeply moving to see displaced families find both spiritual homes and purpose within this church community.

Saturday provided a sweet opportunity to spend time with David’s family, strengthening relational bonds that are vital to long-term partnership. That evening, we gathered with the church’s leaders for an open Q&A session. The primary topics centered on parenting and marriage—particularly cultivating Christ-centered homes in an increasingly complex cultural environment. The leaders asked thoughtful, probing questions that revealed both humility and seriousness about shepherding their families and the church well.

From Sunday through Tuesday, I had the honor of serving at the church’s annual retreat. This retreat takes place during Carnival, one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Santa Cruz. While much of the city is immersed in festivities often marked by excess and spiritual darkness, this church intentionally withdraws to pursue light, growth, and holiness. It was powerful to see such a countercultural commitment.

The retreat theme was God’s Design for Man and Woman. Over several sessions, we explored biblical anthropology, the goodness of God’s created order, and the beauty of complementarity in marriage and the church. In a cultural moment filled with confusion about identity and gender, the church’s eagerness to understand and apply Scripture was deeply encouraging. Beyond the formal sessions, what stood out most was the growing sense of communion and friendship among the members. The gospel is not only being preached—it is shaping relationships.

I left Santa Cruz strengthened by their faith and grateful to witness tangible fruit from years of faithful ministry, even in the midst of pastoral transition.

Medellín, Colombia (February 18–20)

After concluding the retreat, I met my wife Kathy at the airport in Panama on Tuesday as we traveled together to Medellín, Colombia. Our purpose was to visit Iglesia Bíblica de Antioquía, a church currently considering entering the adoption process with Sovereign Grace Churches.

This visit was filled with encouragement from start to finish. On Wednesday, we spent time with Pastor Felipe Trujillo and his family in the Guatapé area, just outside Medellín. Sharing meals and extended conversation allowed us to better understand their vision, convictions, and heart for pastoral ministry. Relational trust is foundational in any potential partnership, and this time together was invaluable.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to teach on the Seven Shared Values of Sovereign Grace Churches. We walked through theological convictions such as Reformed soteriology, gospel centrality, continuationism, complementarian leadership, elder governance, church planting, and interdependence among churches. The congregation listened attentively and engaged meaningfully.

The church is located in Envigado—an area historically associated with the criminal operations of Pablo Escobar during the 1980s. In a place once marked by extortion and violence, the light of the gospel is now being proclaimed with clarity and hope. That contrast was not lost on us. Where darkness once dominated, Christ is building His church.

We left Medellín encouraged by the seriousness with which this church is evaluating partnership and by the evident work of grace among them. The gospel is bearing fruit, and their desire for theological clarity and relational accountability is a strong sign of health.

Concluding Reflections

This week of ministry was marked by gratitude and renewed strength. Personally, it was a joy to resume travel in a more sustained way after past health limitations. Ministerially, it was deeply encouraging to see churches in two different countries growing in leadership, conviction, compassion, and gospel hunger.

In Santa Cruz, we witnessed a church flourishing in unity and clarity amid cultural darkness, navigating leadership transition with maturity, and extending Christ-like hospitality to refugees now serving among them. In Medellín, we saw a congregation thoughtfully pursuing partnership and standing as a testimony to the transforming power of Christ in a city with a complicated history.

Above all, this trip reaffirmed a central truth: the gospel continues to advance. Across nations, cultures, and contexts—even amid health trials, migration, and cultural upheaval—God is building His church. And it is a profound privilege to participate in that work.

Just two weeks ago, I had the privilege of being with Chiesa Grazia Sovrana di Torino, in Italy, and what a wonderful time it was! There are unique challenges of church planting in this area so deeply rooted in cultural tradition. There’s no doubting that Ed O'Mara and Rocco Dalia face difficult work - but God is faithful, and that was clear and on full display during my visit.

The following video highlights these wonderful endeavours. Soli Deo Gloria!

Baptist Pastor and Evangelist, A.C.Dixon, writes,

‘When we depend upon organisations, we get what organisations can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; and when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do.’

As we seek to attempt great things for the Lord across the world, we so need what God can do, don’t we? The One who stills the storms and heals the sick and raises the dead and opens blind eyes. It is Him that we need, above every other name, and so with that in mind here’s how you can be praying for our global endeavours in the month ahead...

1. Please pray for Greg and Laurie Dirnberger and their assessment team as they evaluate three couples who are desirous of planting churches in the future. The Church Planter Assessment will be held in Charleston, SC March 12-14.  Pray for each of the couples being assessed and that God's will would be confirmed through this process as the assessment covers: preaching, envisioning, marriage, evangelism, and self-awareness.

2. Please pray for Dave Taylor as he heads over to Italy, 16th-22nd March, to help lead the SGC Europe Pastors Retreat, alongside of our SGC Area Leader for Europe, Ed O’Mara, and then transitions to Ethiopia, 23rd-28th March, to lead our very first SGC Africa Pastors Retreat. As men gather from all over Europe and Africa for these two gatherings, please pray that relationships would be strengthened, good memories would be made, and that there’d be great faith, joy and unity as we continue to move forward together.

3. Please pray for our SGC Commissioned Pastor in Lebanon, Juan Solano, and his family. Since the war broke out a week ago, things have escalated a great deal in Beirut, with evacuation orders in place. Juan and his family are safe, living around 50 minutes away from Beirut, but let’s please be praying for them, for favour as they seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around them, and for wisdom as to what to do next in the days ahead.

4. Please pray for Solomon Chala, a graduate of the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College in Ethiopia, as he spends three months with our candidate church in Sierra Leone, from 20th March. Please pray for great favour and wisdom for Solomon, as we continue to discern the best way ahead for these dear churches that are eager to partner with us.

5. Finally, please pray for Marty Machowski, Pastor in Covenant Fellowship Church, Glen Mills, USA, as he heads to South Korea 21st-31st March, to visit Lord's Grace church in South Korea. Marty and his wife (Lois) will spend a few days with Pastor Songhwan and his wife, Miran, to strengthen their friendship. He will meet with the church's team of deacons for a training session and discussion on their role and the exciting transition to a plurality of elders. He will also lead a family seminar that he hopes will strengthen marriages and parenting relationships within the church. He will then finish his time in Korea by preaching on the power of forgiveness for the Sunday message.  Please pray for his time and that the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon the fine members of Lord's Grace Church.

… Let’s cry out to the Lord in dependent prayer, and then let’s watch and see all that He will do!

Sovereign Grace has long existed to plant and strengthen churches for the glory of God, and in His kindness, we are presently in a season of many Church Plants taking place around the world.

Joel Shorey, the SGC Director of Church Planting was able to bring the following update at our Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference in late 2025. These updates highlight the partnership we share among our churches, and the joy we have of fulfilling our gospel mission together…. Enjoy!!

An update from Carlos Contreras, National Leader of SGC Mexico…

Just a few weeks ago I had the privilege of being part of the teaching team at a Preaching Workshop in La Habana, Cuba. As part of The Charles Simeon Trust, we get the opportunity to serve pastors throughout Latin America to train pastors in Expositional Preaching. Teaching this in Cuba was a truly humbling and inspiring experience.

For the last 6 years several pastors from SGC Mexico have been visiting the island nation twice a year to serve 3 local churches in Habana who want to be equipped to build per SG values and virtues. As a nation, we have adopted Cuba as our main global mission focus. All 3 pastors we serve were part of this workshop as well as more than 50 other pastors from different denominations and Cuban regions.

It was humbling and inspiring to see the dedication of so many young and old pastors with a deep desire to grow in faithfulness in Biblical exposition. They came with much sacrifice and in the midst of a severe crisis in their country due to a lack of fuel and energy throughout their country because of an extensive embargo imposed on their country. Pastors of certain areas were experiencing power blackouts that lasted several days. Others had significant problems with transportation and food supply. And yet they were committed to come and work on their progress and growth in faithful preaching of the Word of God for the benefit of their congregations. 

I was able to spend nights talking for long hours with young men desirous to ask questions about pastoral practice, theological applications and church planting. Their country is in severe crisis but their heart is focused on the pastoral mission that God has called them into. It was humbling to see their zeal and compare it to my own while I was so conscious of all the benefits and provision that I enjoy in Mexico. A couple of times I had to teach in the dark because of a power outage. And a day before I was scheduled to leave, the government announced the cancellation of foreign travel due to a lack of fuel. Some pastors didn't know how they were going to travel back to their homes. I was blessed that my airline did not cancel my flight back due to a special arrangement they made for their airplanes.

We are planning a trip to Cuba by the end of March in order to continue to help and encourage the churches we serve, as well as to take needed medical supplies and other essentials even though travel has become much more expensive because of the special circumstances. We pray that negotiations progress and the embargo will be lifted soon as their situation grows darker day by day.

Please pray for the church and people of Cuba. Pray that God will pour out His grace on them in multiple and diverse forms. Pray that the church remains strong and faithful and that He will open a way for us to serve them in this critical time. Pray that their love and joy will not diminish in spite of this severe crisis and that soon God will grant them the freedom that they have not had for decades of significant hardships.

I want to thank all in Sovereign Grace globally that partner with the Mexican churches to serve the wonderful churches in Cuba. Your prayers and generosity make it possible for us to serve and help our brothers and sisters in Cuba.

Joyful fellowship with Jader and his wife Andressa.

Last month Bert Turner (Pastor at Covenant of Grace Church, Copley, Ohio, USA and SGC Representative to Brazil) travelled to Brazil with his wife Karen. Bert brings us this update below…

Overview

“Deepened relationships” best summarizes the precious fruit of our most recent trip to Brazil. Karen, my wife, and I sensed the Lord weaving our lives more closely together with those of our dear friends. While agreement on Scriptural truth is foundational, it is through deepened relationships that those truths become truly transformative.

I am deeply grateful to travel alongside Karen. She is a delight and connects naturally and warmly with everyone. We had the privilege of visiting four cities in three states.

It was also a joy to have Hope Tumino, a budding missionary from our church, join us for ten days. Hope previously completed a ten-month internship at Rancho3M in Mexico, which strengthened her desire to pursue missions with Sovereign Grace Churches. Hope was a big hit with the Yamashiro kids and pets.

Bert & Karen Turner.

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Igreja Cidade Cinco – Pastor Fábio Leal

São Paulo

It was a joy to preach and spend time in fellowship with the leaders. I have enjoyed a warm relationship with Fábio since 2021. The church is vibrant and clearly reflects Gospel values and virtues.

In 2024, Fábio expressed interest in exploring partnership with Sovereign Grace Churches. He is interested in Gospel Coaching and hopes to attend the Pastors Conference this year. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance in our developing relationship and for favor in the U.S. visa process.

Pastor Fábio with his wife Ani and family at Igreja Cidade Cinco.

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Igreja CasaVide – Pastors Rafael Yamashiro & André Casamiro

São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo

CasaVide is a loving church marked by rich Gospel culture and values. Rafael and I began meeting monthly in January 2024, and in July he and André signed a letter of intent to pursue partnership with Sovereign Grace Churches.

Our long-time friend and Sovereign Grace pastor, Fabiano Medeiros, attends CasaVide. During this trip, we enjoyed excellent fellowship and meaningful conversations about partnership. It was a privilege to preach at the Sunday service.

André and his wife, Deanna, are eager to attend the Pastors Conference in November. Please pray for continued growth in our relationship and wisdom in serving this church well.

Hope Tumino and the Yamashiro kids.

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Igreja Horizonte – Pastor Jader Bitencourt – Campus Outreach – Jeff Dowdy

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

In 2021, Jader began exploring partnership with Sovereign Grace Churches in connection with a church plant in Porto Alegre. In 2025, he relocated to Belo Horizonte to join the pastoral team at Igreja Horizonte, a Reformed and continuationist church.

Jader indicated that the church may have interest in partnership with Sovereign Grace Churches. We had excellent fellowship with Jader and his wife, Andressa. I also met with Jeff Dowdy, the lead pastor, over lunch. We had a productive conversation and identified potential opportunities for future collaboration.

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Igreja Graça Soberana de Rio Grande – Pastor Emerson Soares

Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul

It was a joy to make my ninth visit to this Sovereign Grace partner church. I have come to know personally and love many of the members.

We shared dinner on Friday evening with the leadership team, which was deeply encouraging. These leaders have faithfully served the church in sacrificial ways, including shepherding the congregation for nine months while Emerson and Tati were in Louisville attending the Pastors College.

On Sunday, I preached from Psalm 139 during the main service and taught a Biblical Counseling class during the adult discipleship hour. The church was full and highly engaged. We also met several new members, including some who had recently been converted and baptized. This is encouraging fruit! The church concluded the day with a joyful congregational meal together.

Please pray for the Lord to strengthen and supply the needs of the church.

Preaching at Igreja Graça Soberana de Rio Grande.

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Igreja Cristã Nova Vida – Bishop Walter McAlister

Rio de Janeiro

The Igreja Cristã Nova Vida denomination includes approximately 140 Reformed and continuationist churches throughout Brazil, as well as several in Portugal. Notably, they have adopted the Sovereign Grace Statement of Faith, with minor adjustments related to church polity.

I attended a weekly pastors’ gathering and later shared an extended lunch with Walter, the Presiding Bishop. He is a thoughtful and insightful leader with a strong grasp of church history and ecclesiology. I am grateful for the growing relationship and look forward to seeing how the Lord may develop it further!

Deepening friendships with Rafael, André and Emerson.

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We are so excited to see all that the Lord is doing in Brazil! Please continue to pray for Bert and Karen as they serve the churches there; that the Lord would continue to establish the work of their hands, and that many would come to know the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ in Brazil and beyond!

An update from our SGC Pastor and Church Planter in Thailand…

Many of us who have grown up in the West have had the privilege of being impacted by a rich theological diet, a portion of which comes from solid, doctrinally sound books. God’s used books by Piper, Packer, Powlison, Bridges, Carson, Sproul (to name a few) and even a few titles from our small denomination SGC to ultimately help us better understand The Book, the Author, and the glorious gospel of Christ. And books like these collectively help strengthen and nourish churches for the long haul. Have you ever wondered where you or our churches would be without these resources that God has so graciously given to us?

In many countries in the 10-40 window where the vast majority of the unreached people groups reside, books like these are often scarce. They’re scarce because they need to be translated and translated accurately, with theological precision and with cultural & linguistic awareness and tact. Our family has been serving among the unreached in Thailand since 2016. Over that time we noticed that there were very few resources available to the Thai church that we and so many others have personally benefited from whether it be Sovereign Grace books or books that have profoundly influenced churches in Sovereign Grace. With our hearts burdened to see the Thai church strengthened by doctrinally rich, gospel-centered books we prayed that the Lord would open a door. And He did!

Three years ago we partnered with our former language teacher and dear sister in Christ, Wat, and a newly formed gospel-centered, non-profit publisher, Grace Bannasan, in Chiang Mai, Thailand to translate and publish several SGC books and other great titles. To date the following books have been translated and published in Thai: 

1.     The Cross Centered Life, CJ Mahaney

2.     True Life, Carolyn Mahaney & Nicole Whitacre

3.     True Beauty, Carolyn Mahaney & Nicole Whitacre

4.     Love That Lasts, Gary & Betsy Ricucci

5.     True Worshipers, Bob Kauflin

6.     When People are Big and God is Small, Edward Welch

7.     The Biggest Story, Kevin DeYoung (helped fund the reprint only)

We as well as our publisher have received encouraging feedback from folks who have read these works. God is opening eyes to see Jesus more clearly and giving practical help to His saints in Thailand to apply the truths in their lives.

Looking forward, our goal is to continue to translate & publish 3-4 books a year to equip pastors and nourish churches throughout Thailand. We want to give the Thai church at least 30 solid books over the next 10 years. We want to help add a shelf of nutritious, life-transforming works in the “church library” of Thailand. We know these books will go places and reach people we’ll never meet, and Lord willing they’ll outlive us. This is our hope and prayer. Potential books on the lineup that we’d like to translate and publish in 2026 are:  

1.        The Big Book of Questions & Answers about Jesus, Sinclair Ferguson

2.        Humility, CJ Mahaney

3.        The Disciplines of Grace, Jerry Bridges

4.        Feminine Appeal, Carolyn Mahaney

In addition to these books, Wat has also translated a number of SGC documents to help sustain long-term fidelity of Sovereign Grace churches planted in Thailand like Family of Grace Church in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand which we had the privilege to see the Lord birth over 1 year ago. Wat has already translated the following SGC documents into Thai:

•       Statement of Faith

•       Book of Church Order

•       Seven Shared Values

•       Seven Shaping Virtues

•       The SGC Catechism

•       “Watch Your Doctrine”

•       “The Mission of the Church”

•       “Who Governs the Church?”

These distinctive, doctrinal documents are laying a firm foundation for Family of Grace Church and future Sovereign Grace churches that could be planted or adopted in Thailand.

All of this work so far has been made possible by the generosity of the SGC US Mid South Region, the SGC Asia Pacific Region, and a few SGC churches, as well as by the gracious administrative support of the SGC Global Finance Team. We are truly grateful for their sacrifice and partnership to bless and strengthen the church of Thailand.

Going forward we do need more help. It costs about $6900 to translate and publish 2000 copies of a given title. Our wonderful, non-profit partner publisher uses the sales of a given published book to reprint that same title, so they have a good self-sustaining model. With that, we still need help to finance upcoming translations and keep new titles rolling off the printing press. If you or your church are interested in supporting this Thai gospel publication project and perhaps want to “adopt a book,” you can send support online through Mercy Hill Community Church, the Sovereign Grace Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia here and select “Thai Publishing.” Or if you have any further questions on how to partner with this effort feel free to contact Melissa Goins at melissa@mercyhillcc.org. We ask for your prayers that the Lord would continue to prosper this work to strengthen and equip His precious church in Thailand.

One of the big reasons that we are so passionate about planting and strengthening churches around the world, is so that more people can come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

All around the world the Lord is building His choir, from people from every tribe and language and nation, and what a privilege we have to give out the invites. Jesus is not hemmed in by geography, He holds the whole world in His hands, and so listen in and delight in the testimony of Leyn Jarin. A former lesbian, but now saved and transformed by the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and a member of CCSGM in Manila, Philippines.

In a recent prayer request email, Mark Prater, our Executive Director, wrote the following...

             ‘The Apostle Paul writes to the Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) It is amazing that we can bring EVERYTHING to God. There are no limitations, there is nothing that we can’t bring to God in prayer. But what is more amazing is that God Himself INVITES us to bring everything to Him. In his commentary on Philippians, Matthew Harmon writes, “When Paul urges Christians to make their requests known to God, we must see this as God Himself moving the apostle to issue this invitation. In Paul, God Himself beckons his children to come to Him swiftly, continually, insistently, and confidently.” 

As His children, God Himself invites us to come to Him swiftly, continually, insistently, and confidently. It’s such an incredible opportunity for us and so here’s how you can be praying for our global endeavours over the next month...

1.  Please continue to pray for Bert Turner (Pastor at Covenant of Grace Church, Akron, USA) & his wife Karen as they travel to Brazil, 15th January – 5th February. Please pray that they’ll be a blessing to all of the Pastors and Churches they’re visiting during their time – Igreja Cidade Cinco, Igreja Casa Vide, Igraja Horizonte, and Igreja Graca Soberana, and that God would sustain them for the remainder of this trip.

2. Please pray for our three SGC representatives, from two different countries, that are presently in Pakistan serving our partners in that country over the next two weeks. It will be a very full few weeks of ministry, which includes speaking at a one day youth seminar, a one day marriage seminar during their visit,  two or more prayer services (think short church services) in the villages and brick factories most evenings.  They will then split up on Sunday and be preaching at 4 - 6 churches that day.  They also have planned a half day to gather with all the pastors (21 of them) for a time of encouragement and instruction specifically for them and will then be proctoring the Bible Knowledge exam for the six pastors who are working towards ordination followed by a discussion on how to move forward with the ordination standards.  It will be a busy time, so please be praying for them!

3. Please pray for the Sovereign Grace Leadership Team as we lead a retreat, 2nd – 6th February, that will include our US Regional Leaders, asking God to envision, strengthen and equip our leaders as they serve our churches in the US.

4. Please pray for Todd Peterson (Pastor at Cross of Grace Church, EL Paso, US) and Eric Rangel (Pastor at Legacy Church, Yuma, US) as they head to India, 16th-27th February, to strengthen our work there in both the north and south of the country. Please pray that all their meetings would be filled with grace and wisdom, and that Todd’s meeting with the EMI Engineering Team, as they continue to explore the possibility of starting a school in Andhra Pradesh, would go really well.

5. Please pray for Ron Boomsma (Pastor at Emmaus Road Church, Bozeman, US), Chris Oswald (Pastor at Providence Community Church, Lenexa, USA) and Josh Montague (Pastoral Resident at Cross of Grace Church in Chaska, US), as they head to the Philippines this month to teach on “Understanding & Communicating OT Prophecy (Isaiah)”. Please pray for all the students involved in this, that it’ll be a strengthening and encouraging time for them as they continue to learn how to handle God’s Word.

6. Please pray for our US Pastor’s College students as they prepare to travel to various Sovereign Grace churches around the country to preach. Please pray for them as they prepare, that the congregations they serve would be edified, and that as they return back to the PC that God would give them and their families good health and endurance as they prepare for the home stretch of the semester, before heading home to serve the Lord in their various contexts.

7. Please pray that God would give the members and pastors of Sovereign Grace Churches a renewed desire, and opportunities, to share the gospel with unbelievers in our communities and workplaces. You don’t have to go overseas to be involved in missions, you simply have to walk across the room... May this be our story as we together brandish the Gospel and tell it to all that will hear it.

   … Thank you so much for praying for us. May His grace abound to us all!

An update from Jonathan Leslie (Co-Planter at Sovereign Grace Church Nairobi, Kenya)…

On January 4, 2026, we celebrated a joyful and humbling milestone: one year since Sovereign Grace Church Nairobi began gathering as a local church. The day was marked in a way that vividly reminded us that He is the one building His church. Every seat was filled, with some standing at the back, and the 100 communion elements we had prepared—normally enough for two services—were all used. It was a simple but powerful picture of growth, hunger for Christ, and the grace of God among us.

The celebration was made richer by the love and partnership of the wider Sovereign Grace family and like-minded churches here in Nairobi. We were deeply encouraged by five video greetings from Sovereign Grace churches around the world, and by the presence of Pastor Ken Mbugua and his family from Emmanuel Baptist Church, along with representatives from other gospel-centered congregations in the city. Their prayers and words of encouragement reminded us that we are not laboring alone, but are part of a broader work God is doing through faithful churches committed to His Word.

Brian preached from John 17, calling us to marvel at the unity Christ has secured for His people. He reminded us that our oneness with one another does not originate in shared culture, background, or effort, but flows from our shared union with the Father and the Son. It was a fitting word for a young, diverse church being knit together by grace in a city where the gospel is often distorted, yet where God is clearly at work gathering His people.

One of the great joys of the day was welcoming thirty-one men and women into membership, our first formal members as a church. To see so many publicly commit themselves to Christ and to one another in covenant love was a powerful testimony to God’s faithfulness over this first year. After the service, we returned to the Leslie home, where the church first began meeting, and there we had the privilege of baptizing three believers, declaring again through water and Word the saving work of Christ.

The day concluded the way many good gospel celebrations do— in laughter and fellowship, sharing a meal, giving thanks for all the Lord has done. From a small gathering in a living room to a growing congregation that has added a full time Pastoral Resident for Worship and sent three men to Pastors College in Ethiopia, the past twelve months have been a living reminder that “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

We are profoundly grateful for the prayers, encouragement, and partnership of the pastors and churches of Sovereign Grace. Your support, counsel, and shared vision for planting healthy, gospel-centered churches have been a means of grace to us. As we look ahead, we do so with humble dependence on the Lord and hopeful expectation that He will continue to establish His church in Nairobi, raise up leaders, and make His saving glory known among the nations.