Things To Pray For In September
 

A.C. Dixon once said,

“When we depend upon organisations, we get what organisations can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do.”

There’s no doubt given the size and number of opportunities that we have before us in Sovereign Grace, that we need only “what God can do”. Prayer, by very nature, is the translation into a thousand different words of a single sentence: “For apart from me (Christ) you can do nothing” (John 15.5). So with dependant hearts, and in a thousand different words, here’s how you can be praying for our global endeavours over the next month...

  1. Please pray for our 2026-2027 Pastors College students and their families as they settle into Louisville, KY, asking God to provide for them and to give them grace to grow over the next year while at the PC.

  2. Please pray for the Sovereign Grace Churches RELAY Asia-Pacific Conference, September 23rd-26th in Manila, Philippines. Around 200 young adults from churches in Australia, South Korea, Pakistan and the Philippines, will be attending this conference. Please pray that God meets with the next generation in wonderful ways as they come together and that He does so much more than we could’ve ever asked or imagined.

  3. Please pray for Angel Miranda and his team as they plant Iglesia Biblica Gracia Soberana in Sinceljo, Colombia, asking God to draw unbelievers and the unchurched giving them opportunities to share the gospel with them.

  4. Please pray for Iglesia Gracia Soberana Cd. Juarez as they celebrate their 40 year anniversary on the 19th September. Please pray that they may revel in the kindness, faithfulness and grace of God over this special weekend. What a wonderful and faithful God He is.

  5. Please pray for the African Pastors College graduating class of 2026, students and their families from 3 different nations who having moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the past 10 months, graduate on the 13th September, before heading home to make a difference in their local churches. Please pray for a smooth transition back home and for faithful and fruitful days ahead for each of these graduates.

  6. Please pray that God continues to provide financially for Sovereign Grace Churches so that we can fund the many gospel opportunities He is giving us throughout the world.

  7. Finally, please pray that God would give the members and pastors of Sovereign Grace churches opportunities and courage to share the gospel with unbelievers in our communities, workplaces and on our campuses. Praying for the saving grace of God to reach many.

    … For apart from Him, we really can do nothing.

 
Dave Taylor
US Pastors College - Class of 2026
 

An update from Jeff Purswell, Director of Theology for Sovereign Grace Churches and Dean of the US Pastors College…

It seems we say this every year, but by God’s grace we’re still marveling over all that the Lord did in this past year’s Pastors College class. Thirteen men joined us this year in Louisville: eight from the US, three from Canada, and two families from the Philippines who braved the visa application process, the logistics of an international move, and the challenges of life in a foreign country to be a part of this year’s class. This rich demographic combination, with students ranging in age from 22 to 41, included two ordained SG elders (the first to have attended the PC since our new polity), another second generation PC student, and two men from outside of SG seeking to join our family of churches.

Beyond the intensive classroom learning experience—at which these men labored diligently and excelled—we observed a remarkable, transformational community form among the students and their families. These families endured an unusual number of trials this year, from financial struggles to acute health challenges (providentially, two of the students were nurses!), all of which served to knit their lives deeply together. And this went well beyond the students themselves. Their wives were wonderfully engaged in each others’ lives and families, as well as with many in our host church, Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville.

It was particularly gratifying to see the children of the class, from toddlers to teens, growing in their love for each other and for the Lord. One of the wives wrote this in a note addressed to the ladies entering the PC this year: “Perhaps my greatest joy, though, was watching our children flourish during this PC year. Seeing them grow in their love for the Lord, delight in being with God’s people, and genuinely love the local church has been one of the sweetest blessings of this season.” To those of us seeking to serve these families, few words are sweeter.

All of these various components—academic, pastoral, personal, and relational—combined to produce a year, not just of equipping, but, by God’s unspeakable grace, of transformation. Yes, after 36 weeks of class, 800+ hours of lecture, an additional 1000+ hours of outside work, papers, exams, and approximately 12,000 pages of reading, these men have a solid foundation of biblical, theological, and pastoral knowledge upon which to build their lives and ministries. But the Pastors College is more than an academic institution. It provides a rich immersion in the doctrine, values, and culture of Sovereign Grace churches. As I like to say, it is “pastoral training calibrated to our partnership”—training that is Scripturally-rooted, theologically faithful, gospel-centered, local-church connected, relationally nourished, and life-and-doctrine focused, and all aimed at equipping men and their families for ministry within Sovereign Grace.

The fruit of this year is deeply encouraging to consider. Seven of the students entered full-time vocational ministry. One returned to take over senior leadership in his church. Two entered a specific church planting track. And to a man, they left relationally knit, doctrinally deepened, pastorally sharpened, and ready to make an immediate impact in their local church.

We’re already receiving this year’s students, 14 in all, and are eager to begin a new year. Which prompts us again to give praise to God and thanks to you, our pastors and churches, for your faith and sacrifice in sending such quality men and women to be equipped in the college. The Pastors College exists not for itself, but for you—and we could not do what we endeavor to do without you. 

 
Yvonne Gordon
Fieles Pastors Conference 2026
 

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

This year’s Fieles Pastors Conference was especially significant for several reasons. First, we celebrated the 10th edition of the conference, which began in the summer of 2014. Second, the conference focused on the theme “The Worship of the Church” and served as the host venue for the Sovereign Grace Music WorshipGod Conference. Bob Kauflin provided outstanding leadership throughout the event despite continuing to recover from a serious leg injury. Third, we welcomed a record attendance of nearly 900 participants, including pastors, ministry leaders, their wives, and worship team members.

Attendees came from 27 states across Mexico and six different countries, representing more than 150 churches. Yet what encouraged my heart most was seeing the 180 volunteers from our church who served with joy, humility, and tireless dedication throughout the conference.

The main sessions centered on the biblical worship of the church and were led by our special guests Dr. Miguel Núñez and Sugel Michelén, internationally respected pastors and authors from the Dominican Republic, along with Hanibal Rodriguez, Lead Pastor of Wheaton Bible Church in Chicago. Additional messages were given by our own Joselo Mercado, Jeff Purswell, and Bob Kauflin.

The conference also featured a variety of workshops focused on both the theology and practice of corporate worship, as well as specialized musical training. One of the most well-attended workshops, Balancing Ministry and Family, was led by Jonathan and Sarah Jerez, who partner with Gracia Soberana Música in producing and recording worship music in Spanish. We were also blessed with many rich times of congregational singing. In fact, the voices were so enthusiastic and strong that my Apple Watch repeatedly alerted me that the decibel level was too high!

Our prayer is that this conference will help open the door for future WorshipGod Conferences throughout Latin America and further strengthen the ministry of Gracia Soberana Música as a faithful instrument in God’s hands, serving His church throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

To God be the glory for all He accomplished during these memorable days of worship, fellowship, encouragement, and equipping!

 
Yvonne Gordon
Bringing Help & Hope After Typhoon Tino
 

An update from Dave Taylor, SGC Director of Global Strategy & Development…

Last November, Typhoon Tino swept across the central Philippines, bringing powerful winds, heavy rain and widespread flooding. The typhoon made landfall across several central islands including Negros Occidental, where our brothers and sisters at His Dwelling Christian Church (HDCC) in Isabela, Philippines are located.  

In the aftermath of the storm, several families within the HDCC church community had been particularly affected. One family had suffered a complete loss of their home and belongings, while other families experienced severe damage to their homes, crops and sources of income, leaving many in urgent need of support and basic necessities.

By God's grace and provision, Sovereign Grace Churches were able to extend financial assistance, allowing the church to respond to the practical needs of their members, including the provision of rice, groceries, drinking water and household supplies.

A significant part of the relief effort was directed beyond the church walls too. With the heart to serve the wider community, help was also extended to surrounding communities. These residents were invited to the church, where they received food packs and assistance, and more importantly, an opportunity for the Gospel to be shared – a moment of hope in the midst of disaster.

For the church members themselves, this relief brought great encouragement to them, reminding the congregation of God’s provision and faithfulness during challenging times. Many expressed deep gratitude, acknowledging how their faith and sense of community had been strengthened.

We are so grateful to God for the generosity of our churches and for the privilege of being able to support our brothers and sisters in the Philippines in a time of need. Please continue to pray for the people affected by Typhoon Tino as they continue to recover and rebuild their lives, and especially that the Gospel would continue to go forward through the local church. We give thanks to the Lord that even in the midst of disaster and loss, it is a joy to see the body of Christ caring for one another, demonstrating Christ's love, compassion and faithfulness across countries and cultures.

From HDCC Isabela:

“We, the members and leaders of His Dwelling Christian Church – Isabela, express our deep gratitude to Pastor Jeffrey Jo and Sovereign Grace Churches. Your generosity enabled us not only to respond quickly to urgent needs but also to bring comfort and hope to families whose lives were shaken by the typhoon. Your partnership in the work of the Gospel is felt deeply, and your support has been a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision. May the Lord reward your compassion, and may this act of kindness continue to inspire unity, generosity, and love within the body of Christ!”

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
(Hebrews 13:16)

 
Yvonne Gordon
Raising Up The Next Generation In The UK: G2 Camp 2026
 

An update from Matt Chapman, Senior Pastor of Grace Church, Bristol, England…

This August we had the joy of gathering 26 young people aged 11–18, from seven different churches, together with 12 adult leaders for our annual G2 Camp, spending six days together in beautiful Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

Our theme for the week was “The King We Need”, and each evening we opened up the story of David together. We began in 1 Samuel 16 with The King God Chooses, before seeing David as The King Who Fights for Us in his victory over Goliath, and The King Who Waits as he refuses to seize the throne for himself.

Later in the week we came to the darker story of David’s sin with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11–12. It was a sobering opportunity to see that even God’s chosen king was a sinner who desperately needed mercy — and therefore could never ultimately be the King God’s people needed. We finished in 2 Samuel 9, seeing David’s kindness to Mephibosheth and looking beyond him to Jesus, the greater King who welcomes the undeserving to his table.

Our mornings were spent studying Philippians in smaller groups. It was wonderful to see the young people opening their Bibles together, asking thoughtful questions, praying for one another, and being challenged to live with Christ at the centre of their lives. Of course, camp involved plenty more besides Bible teaching! We enjoyed a day at the beach, an afternoon on an inflatable aquapark, games around the campsite, a talent contest, and many late-night conversations. We even had the unusual privilege of watching a solar eclipse together during the week!

One of the greatest encouragements of the week was seeing the young people worshipping together, sitting eagerly under God’s Word, and growing in their knowledge of Christ and of the wonderful gospel of grace and mercy we have in him. It was also a joy to see relationships deepen as young people from different churches grew in friendship with one another, while leaders had many opportunities for conversations about faith, struggles, questions and what it means to follow Jesus. We are very conscious that a week of camp cannot manufacture spiritual fruit, but we came home deeply grateful for the ways God seemed to be at work among us.

The Sunday after camp, some of the young people shared with Grace Church Bristol about the week. It was especially encouraging to hear them speak for themselves about things God had challenged or taught them through His Word. We also showed a slideshow from the week and gave thanks together for God’s kindness to us.

We’re enormously grateful for everyone who served — preaching, leading Bible studies, cooking, organising activities, caring for young people and doing all the unseen jobs that make a week like this possible. Above all, we’re grateful to God for another opportunity to put his Word before the next generation and to point them to Jesus, the King we truly need.

Looking ahead, we hope to gather again for G2 Camp in August 2027. Please pray that God would continue to strengthen friendships between our young people and churches, raise up another generation who love Christ and his Word, and use these camps as one small part of building his church in the UK.

If you’d like to see a little more from the week, this recording of our Sunday service begins with a short G2 Camp slideshow followed by testimonies from a number of the young people who came with us. Watch it here.

 
Yvonne Gordon
Mexico Pastors College - Training Pastors & Planters
 

An update from Edgar Flores, Dean of the Mexico Pastors College…

By the Lord’s grace, we were able to celebrate the graduation of the fourth class of the Mexico Pastors College. It was an occasion of great joy and gratitude as we witnessed, once again, God’s faithfulness and goodness.

Over the past year, we witnessed the Lord’s generosity in providing the resources needed for the students to devote eleven months of full-time study to their preparation for pastoral ministry. This year’s graduating class consisted of four students.

This year was especially significant because three of the graduates desire to plant Sovereign Grace churches in Mexico: Eli Warren in Ciudad Juárez, Isaac Alarcón in Guadalupe, where the Rancho 3M Orphanage is located, and Alejandro Mascareño in Mexicali.

During the graduation ceremony, Pastor Carlos Contreras exhorted the graduates to aspire to be faithful to the Lord. On behalf of the graduating class, Eli Warren shared a message of gratitude, reflecting on the work God accomplished in this time at the College. Following the ceremony, we enjoyed a time of fellowship and celebration, giving thanks to the Lord for this year of training.

We are also looking forward to welcoming the next class of the College, which will include three students: Alfredo Gutiérrez (Ciudad Juárez), Jesús Reyes (Tuxpan, Veracruz), and David Lucas (Oaxaca, Oaxaca). We are encouraged to see that the Lord continues to raise up men with a desire to serve His church faithfully.

We ask that you would pray for us. First, that the Lord would continue to provide the churches with the resources needed to send men to the Pastors College. Second, that He would grant us the grace to serve these men faithfully and contribute to their training, and that the Lord would continue to bring more teachers to serve at the College.

Our desire is to continue investing in the next generation of pastors for Sovereign Grace churches in Mexico and throughout Latin America. We are convinced that by doing so we are preserving and passing on the convictions we believe, embrace, and celebrate as a family of churches, all for the glory of the Lord. 

 
Yvonne Gordon
Growing Gospel Work in Brazil
 

Bert Turner is a Pastor at Covenant of Grace Church, Copley, Ohio and is the SGC Representative for our work in Brazil. Bert shares this update from a recent trip…


“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8


Igreja Graça Soberana of Rio Grande

“Affectionately desirous of you” is how I feel about Igreja Graça Soberana of Rio Grande, Brazil. This July marked my eighth trip since 2019 to visit these precious saints – many of whom are dear friends. It’s been a privilege to walk alongside them through some very difficult times and some very blessed times. It is a joy to see them flourishing now.

Emerson Soares, pastor of Igreja Graça Soberana, and I spent days of unhurried time together immersed in Scripture and prayer in relation to the growth of Sovereign Grace Churches in Brazil. We are beginning a process of transferring the role of liaison between the churches in Brazil and our wider family of churches from me to Emerson. 

It was also a joy to teach a couples class, meet with the leadership, counsel and preach on Sunday. It was a highlight to fellowship with a Community Group that meets in Emerson and Tati’s home.

Igreja CasaVide in São Bernardo do Campo

“Highly relational” is how we describe our family of churches and the sweet process of exploring partnership with churches like Igreja CasaVide in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. It has been a delight to deepen our relationship with pastors Rafael Yamashiro and André Casamiro and their families during my recent trip there. We had a fruitful time working through some of the nitty gritty ecclesiological implications that inform statutes and practices with the help of Fabiano Medeiros, a Sovereign Grace pastor who attends CasaVide.

It was also a joy hanging out with some of their kids – Melani Yamashiro is a joy and it was fun teaching some of the finer points of handling boa constrictors to Caleb Yamashiro and his friend Pedro.

Rafael and André have wisely invested time relationally – going on retreats with Emerson Soares and me, going to the Pastors Conference, visiting our church in Ohio – before talking widely about Sovereign Grace Churches with the members of CasaVide. The time was right on this trip for an invitation for me to preach and then, in a meeting following the service, to share about our family of churches and what partnership would look like.

Sovereign Grace Music in Brazil

We are in the final stages of recording the second album of Sovereign Grace Music songs in Portuguese. We are grateful to God for Bob Kauflin’s vision, expertise and sponsorship of this project. It would be hard to overstate the importance of the gift from God that Fabiano Medeiros is in releasing these songs of worship to bless God’s people in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking peoples.

Fabiano has developed a talented team of volunteer translators who produce wonderful versions of the songs in Portuguese. Karen, my wife, and I serve on that team since we speak English as our first language. Fabiano also leads through the recording process in Brazil using talented vocalists from local churches. I was happy to deliver gifts of Sovereign Grace Music hoodies to the translators and vocalists.

Sovereign Grace Churches Publishing

We are very excited about the goal to publish 10 Sovereign Grace books in Portuguese. We have received a $5,000 grant from the Sovereign Grace Latin America Fund and a $10,000 gift from a couple in a Sovereign Grace church in the US. Again, Fabiano is playing a crucial role given his expertise and relationships in publishing. His team has already translated “The Holy Spirit and the Church,” by Jeff Purswell and “Who Governs the Church,” by Jared Mellinger. Both of these books uniquely bring doctrinal clarity to areas in which there is much confusion in Brazil. 

We are looking forward to a visit from André Casamiro and Emerson Soares at the 2026 Pastors Conference.

Here are some ways you can be praying.

  • For the Lord to strengthen and grow the churches in Brazil

  • For the Lord to bless the lives and families of Emerson and Tati Soares, Fabiano and Marcia Medeiros, Rafael and La Rainny Yamashiro and André and Deanna Casamiro

  • For the release of the 2nd album of Sovereign Grace Music in Portuguese.

  • For the publication of Sovereign Grace books in Portuguese.

  • Transition of the liaison role

 
Yvonne Gordon
Things To Pray For In August
 

Victorian Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, once urged his Pastors College students to “make the most of prayer,”, for “prayer is the master-weapon.” Spurgeon continued, “We should be greatly wise if we used it more... All hell is vanquished when the believer bows his knee... Prayer links us with the Eternal, the Omnipotent, the Infinite; and hence it is our chief resort.”

All the way back to the ancient times, we find a great cloud of witnesses testifying to the power of prayer, and now this is our time. God delights to answer the prayers of His saints and so with that in mind, here’s how you can be praying for us in the month ahead...

  1. Please pray that God would give the members and pastors of Sovereign Grace churches opportunities and courage to share the gospel with unbelievers in our communities, workplaces and on our campuses. Praying for the saving grace of God to reach many.

  2. Please pray for our 2026-2027 Pastors College students and their families who will be moving to Louisville, KY before classes start at the end of August, asking God to provide for them and to give them grace to grow over the next year while at the PC.

  3. Please pray for Ed O’Mara (SGC Area Leader for Europe) as he visits with Steve Dyer, a potential SG Church Planter, along with his plant team, in Swansea, Wales. Please pray that the Lord would continue to build the group into relationship with Sovereign Grace and that Ed will be helpful to them as they look to the future and plan for the church plant in the Swansea area.

  4. Please pray for Matt Chapman, (Senior Pastor of Grace Church, Bristol, England) as he leads the G2 Youth Camp, 10th-15th August. There will be around 30 youth from Bristol and South Wales, meeting to encounter the Lord and grow in their faith. Please pray that the Lord will both save and grow a deep commitment to Him in the hearts of these youth.

  5. Please pray for Angel Miranda and his team as they plant Iglesia Biblica Gracia Soberana in Sinceljo, Colombia, asking God to draw unbelievers and the unchurched giving them opportunities to share the gospel with them.

  6. Please pray for the 2026 Fieles Conference in Juarez, Mexico, who for this year are joining the conference with Worship God, August 12th-14th, in the hope that God will use this conference to promote other Worship God Conferences throughout Latin America. Please pray for the 900 attendees, as well as the 180 volunteers and staff that will be serving to make it all happen, and the National Leadership Team of Mexico who will be leading the time. May the Lord protect them and may His grace abound to everyone involved.

  7. Please that God continues to provide financially for Sovereign Grace Churches so that we can fund the many gospel opportunities He is giving us throughout the world.

… Thank you so much!

 
Dave Taylor
The Local Church Grows, in Namibia, Africa.
 

An update from Josh Kruger Jr., Lead Pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Windhoek…

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is a joy and privilege to write an update to you about all God is doing with the Sovereign Grace church plant in Namibia, Africa.  In the last year or so I have had the privilege of teaching our membership classes twice and we have also had two subsequent membership intakes. The second membership intake was particularly special not only because we were adding new members, but because it brought great joy to the existing members to covenant with and welcome in the new members as family.

A little more than a year ago we were still gathering in the evenings but since moving our Sunday gatherings to Sunday mornings many more have visited and even joined us. We are now averaging roughly 30 adults and about 10 kids every Sunday (with frequent visitors) and this growth very quickly necessitated a bigger venue.

By God’s grace after a few months of fervent prayer and searching we finally found a venue that suits our needs and we have now been gathering in this venue for about 3 months. It is amazing what a big difference a good venue makes. The new venue immediately resulted in new visitors, which we kind of anticipated. But what really surprised me was how it has brought about a culture of lingering after church.  Many people now hang out and chat for as long as an hour after church which brings great joy to this pastor’s heart.

There were already deep and meaningful relationships and fellowship before, but through this new venue God has truly brought about a sweet season of deeper friendships.  A genuine love and care from every individual for the rest of the body.  There is a tangible unity and a deep desire to be with one another for our Sunday gatherings, community groups and even in our homes. God is busy building lasting friendships and biblical community for which I cannot thank Him enough. 

By God’s grace we have also started dipping our toes into the idea of purchasing land. This quickly went from exploring to fully engaged when a donor stepped up, offering to buy the land. This will still be a long process with the government so please be praying for that.

More recently we were visited by Pastor Matthew Williams from KingsWay Community Church in Richmond, Virginia. This is our sending and planting church. His wife Aliza graciously joined him and they were a tremendous blessing to me and my wife, not to mention the church. Matthew taught on our Pneumatology, lingering on the practicalities of how we might give legs to our convictions. He preached while I got to sit next to my wife (a very rare privilege for the solo planter). And he fielded an open Q&A session which has already born great fruit. All in all our church felt incredibly cared for by the fact that they flew half way around the world to be with us and bring us greetings from KingsWay.

Throughout this church plant there have been times of disappointment and sorrow. But they have been vastly outnumbered by seasons of great joy and hope as we wait. Wait for the church to grow. Wait for people’s lives to be changed. Wait for change in our own lives. Wait on Him for sustenance, mercy and grace. 

In these seasons of waiting passages like Ephesians 5:25-27, Titus 2:13 and Hebrews 9:28 have been great comforts as they remind us that Christ is working in His church, purifying and sanctifying her for His glory so that we can know…so that we can have full assurance of His love and care for His bride, the church for whom He will return!

That being said, while we yet wait on His return, by God’s grace, we long to be a church that not only grows locally, but that can love others enough to sacrificially serve and send. It is my sincere hope that God would use our church in the future to plant more SG churches in Africa so that the gospel may also bear much fruit wherever it is preached.

We give God the glory and honor and praise due His name for the good work He has begun in us, that we know He will bring to completion at the day of Jesus Christ! Amen.

 
Yvonne Gordon
Serving Churches in Cuba
 

An update from Antonio Diaz, Pastor of Iglesia Coram Deo, Mexico City, Mexico…

From June 11–15, 2026, Pastor Kristian Tucker (pastor of Gracia Soberana Durango) and I had the privilege of traveling to Havana, Cuba, to encourage and equip the three churches we support there. By God’s grace, we were able to deliver nearly 120kg of supplies—vitamins, medicines, powdered milk, clothing, shoes, batteries, Sunday school materials and other supplies—meeting both spiritual and practical needs.

On our first evening, we shared fellowship and dinner with Pastor Juan Viñeta and his wife, Ana, from Iglesia Bíblica Emanuel (Emanuel Bible Church), and delivered the items designated for their church and family. The following day, we gathered with Pastor Eddy Cambra and his wife, Mercedes, from Iglesia Pacto de Gracia (Covenant of Grace Church), and Pastor Pablo Ruiz and his wife, Mirelsi, from Iglesia Bíblica de Jesucristo (Jesus Christ Bible Church). A particularly joyful moment was giving Pablo and Mirelsi new eyeglasses—after 15 years without an updated prescription, their delight at seeing clearly again was unforgettable.

Friday and Saturday were devoted to training and equipping them to develop home groups and using the book “The Gospel-Centered Life”. Meals during those days were lovingly prepared by the sisters, though many ingredients had to be purchased online from Mexico due to Cuba’s scarcity. We were also able to provide olive oil, nuts, rice, beans, and spices—simple items for us, but rare luxuries for them. Some shared that it had been over a decade since they had tasted nuts. On Saturday evening, we hosted a fellowship dinner at a local restaurant where dessert was a special treat, reminding us how even small joys can be profound blessings for those living under such conditions.

On Sunday, Kristian preached at Covenant of Grace Church, while I shared the Word at Emanuel Bible Church. Throughout the trip, we experienced the reality of Cuba’s power outages—three hours of electricity for every six hours without, and in some areas, only one hour of power per day. Yet even in these hardships, the Lord allowed us to bring the truth of the Gospel of Grace for their encouragement, as well as to strengthen bonds of friendship, and share prayer requests and burdens together. It is by God’s amazing grace and the power of His Spirit, that our brothers and sisters in Cuba can rejoice in the Lord and persevere in their faith in their significant hardships. They are truly an inspiration to all of us.

The Sovereign Grace Mexican churches thank God for the privilege of serving our brothers and sisters in Cuba. We are also deeply grateful for our global family of churches for their prayers, offerings, and faithful support. We pray that our good God will bring relief from their extremely difficult living conditions. For them every small act of generosity was a huge blessing, and we trust the Lord will continue to strengthen His work in Cuba—for the glory of His name.

 
Yvonne Gordon
School of Missions Trip 2026
 

An update from Leo Parris (US Global Missions Coordinator for Sovereign Grace Churches, and Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania) who recently took a team from his church to visit a Sovereign Grace pastor serving cross-culturally in a strategic city. For security reasons, some details have been omitted or generalised, including the removal of names…

Every other year, I take a group of people interested in learning more about global missions through a year-long course on global missions in my church called the School of Missions. At the end of the course, we take a trip to partner with a SG missionary to experience ministry on the frontlines of gospel advancement. We hope to identify the missionaries that the Spirit is raising up in our church through this course and to help train key leaders to facilitate our global mission as a church. This year we chose to partner with SG missionaries in an unreached Muslim city in the Mediterranean, in the second week of July. 

They have been laboring for the gospel in this city for 6 years and hope to plant a Sovereign Grace church there in 2028. ‘M’ helped our team see the need for gospel advancement in this area. Every 56 seconds, another person passes into eternity. And a fraction of a percentage of these people will have ever truly heard the gospel. We headed out to outreach with our hearts freshly burdened and an eagerness to see what God had planned for us.

Our plan was to establish ourselves in typical touristy places where many local people hangout to seek to have conversations with strangers and turn them in a spiritual direction. Given that proselytizing is frowned upon in this particular city, we had to be more careful than back in the States, not mentioning the words “missions” or “evangelism” and not handing out tracks. 

When you add these limiting factors to the fact that many of these people do not speak English, I honestly expected to only have a few meaningful conversations in our week of ministry, but God blew the doors off those expectations! Over the week we had 53 meaningful conversations with strangers. Most of these people were locals, and many of the conversations included a full gospel presentation. 

God used social games to create the relational bridge needed to develop connections. One of the first days we outreached, a group of ladies from our team set up a popular game called Okey to play in a coffee shop. As they puzzled over the rules, they asked a couple of ladies in the shop for help on how to play. Two hours later, they were friends! These ladies invited some of our team members to a yoga class. A couple of days later they came to the class, and spent over an hour and a half deepening their connection afterwards. A few of us were able to share the gospel with multiple people in great length and clarity. More than that, two of the ladies came with our team to church on Sunday!

If space allowed, I could tell you about how silly dancing and google translate allowed for the gospel to go forth. I could tell you about how a free day trip to visit ruins turned into an hour-long gospel conversation with a Chinese woman. I could tell of the exiled Polish man who heard the hope of the gospel. I could tell you of the man who we swapped Bible verses for Qu’ran verses with. I could tell you of the baristas and random strangers that came to church with us. 

All this was God, using coffee shops and games, beaches and volleyball, and technology like Instagram and WhatsApp to allow for connections and gospel conversations. 

All this was possible because he opened doors for us. We were very aware, throughout the whole trip of the unmerited favor and power that guided us. We were filled with the joy of the Spirit, again and again, as we felt the privilege of sharing the good news with these people. People who only know Christ as a prophet, who might know of the Bible in theory, and who had never met a Christian. 

But what gives me even more excitement is the fact that ‘M’ and ‘B’ are still there! They are faithfully engaging in the irreplaceable long-term discipleship needed in the Great Commission. We are praying that God provides the co-laborer missionaries needed to plant a SG church. It is quite clear that God has already prepared a harvest for this mission. I can’t wait to see who God raises up to join them there. 

Our first School of Missions helped identify a missionary couple, Mikey and Katie Roman who are currently moving towards joining Pat Tedeschi in London. I’m praying that God identifies more people from the 12 individuals that came on the trip to join the gospel advancement in this unreached Mediterranean city and other places that will not hear the good news unless someone is sent. 

It’s my hope that God would continue to help us in Sovereign Grace Churches to earnestly seek those he is raising to be sent to the nations for the sake of the gospel. 

 
Yvonne Gordon
Philippine Pastors Institute Class of 2026
 

An update from Jeffrey T. Jo, National Leader for SGC Philippines…

What do we do with people who haven’t yet heard the gospel of Christ in a remote region? Surely, we need to pray for them, but as the apostle Paul penned in Romans 10 …

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

In response to these rhetoric questions in verse 14, we started three years ago to equip our pastors and church leaders in Mindanao, south of the Philippines, both in theology and ministry with the hope that they will have a deeper grasp and inspiration from gospel truths, that they can then take out. In God’s kindness and with the support of SGC, we were able to establish the PPI or Philippine Pastors Institute.

Last Sunday afternoon, July 19, 2026, 9 out of 11 students of PPI graduated in their Pastoral Theology course after a 9-month study. Eight are lead pastors of their local churches and one serves as an associate pastor. It was a well-attended gathering where the graduate’s immediate family and local church elders were present to witness and celebrate with them in their milestone achievement.

The coverage of their classes included the following.

  • Understanding one’s calling by and for the gospel.

  • The pastor, his marriage and family.

  • The pastor and his devotion to Christ-like humility and zeal.

  • The pastor’s study and preaching.

  • The pastor and his counseling ministry.

  • The pastor and his church-care.

  • The pastor and raising up more leaders.

  • Revisiting SGC 7-shared values and 7-shaping virtues.

  • Why we believe what we believe, revisiting our Statement of Faith.

In the last 9 months of classes, we have witnessed how these men have improved a lot in their preaching - not only homiletically but also in the centrality of their sermon, which is Christ! Their preaching is no longer focused on morality (how to be a good person/Christian) but on gospel fidelity - who Christ is and His finished work on the cross, along with His glorious resurrection and ascension to heaven. Moreover, in a culture where wives are neglected and debased, here they are cared for well and treated as “co-heirs in the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7), being a ‘secret-weapon’ of their pastor-husband.

In addition to all of this, most of the graduates are now underway in the SG ordination process. Many have confessed that studying with PPI has prepared and helped them a lot in their required papers and in understanding the significance of gospel partnership not only in the Philippines but also globally.

I have two great hopes for these men…

  • First, that they will shepherd their local churches faithfully and passionately, humbly serving their local church in the SG way, both in values and virtues.

  • Lastly, that through the kindness of God, they will deeply understand and embrace mission as their shared responsibility in the Great Commission.

May we all have a heart for the gospel, a mind for truth, a spirit of humility, a hand of generosity and a passion to reach the lost, for the glory of the mystery of godliness!

 
Yvonne Gordon
A Heart for Oceania
 

Image Credit: Oceania (centered orthographic projection) by M. Bitton, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. No changes were made.

An update from Riley Spring, Lead Pastor of Sovereign Grace Parramatta (Sydney, Australia) and National Leader for Sovereign Grace Churches Australia…

As we plant and strengthen churches all over the world for the glory of God, we long to see more joyful and healthy Sovereign Grace Churches in the Southern Hemisphere. With so much great work happening in Asia, the Lord has laid it on our hearts in Australia to look out to the vast array of island nations spread across what is called, Oceania, to see how we can partner, serve and strengthen one another for the cause of Christ.

What makes up Oceania is hard to definitively nail down but is commonly thought of as all the island nations between Asia and the Americas. Think: Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, and even all the way up to Hawaii as the most northern part of what is called ‘Polynesia’. I guess we’ll have to fight it out with the US as to who gets to claim SG Hawaii ;). But you can see the region on the map below (source: Wikipedia).

There are over 44 million people across 14 nations (not to mention all the territories) in this sprawling geographic region and although nearly two thirds are listed as ‘Christian’, despite this, we are aware of the gospel need and the need for healthy gospel-centered churches.

As we are currently two churches in Sydney, we feel dwarfed by the task, but everyone starts somewhere and we are full of hope in our great sovereign God who rules over all the nations and peoples. We ask that you join us as we pray for this region of the world! Pray that God raises up more and more healthy, gospel centered pastors and churches, that the lost would be saved and transformed into the likeness of Christ, and that if God wants us to play a part, that he’d lead us to the right people that we can partner with and come alongside!

I would love to know if you have any contacts with Pastors, Missionaries or Churches in this region of the world. Please contact me here, I’d love to for us to begin exploring what God may have us here.

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” (Ps 96:3)

Image credit: Oceania - Map with Zones by Cruickshanks (derived from work by Tintazul), via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. No changes were made.

 
Yvonne Gordon
Things To Pray For In July
 

In John 15.4-5, Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Those final few words give us such an important and sobering God-given perspective on how much we’ll be able to do for the Lord by ourselves. How much? Nothing, nada, nought... For apart from Him we really can do nothing!

So, with that in mind, here’s how you can be praying for some of our Global endeavours in the month ahead... We so need the Lord’s mighty help...

  1. Please pray for the Philippines Pastors Institute graduating class of 2026, who have been undergoing theological training in Mindanao, Philippines, for the last two years. Please pray for safe travels for Jeffrey Jo, National Leader of the Philippines, as he heads over to officiate this time, and that the last fruit of this endeavour will be more SGC Philippines churches planted and strengthened in Mindanao, for the glory of God.

  2. Please pray for the two upcoming Pastors & Leaders Retreats in Latin America this month. The first will take place in Costa Rica, July 3rd-5th , with leaders from around five churches. The second will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia, July 21st-23rd, with pastors and leaders from approximately twelve churches. These gatherings are an important opportunity to serve, encourage, strengthen, and care for pastors and leaders who are labouring faithfully in their local churches. Many of them carry significant burdens as they shepherd God’s people, preach the Word, care for families, train leaders, and seek to advance the gospel in their cities and regions. Our desire is that these retreats would not simply be times of teaching and planning, but also moments of spiritual refreshment, pastoral encouragement, and gospel-centered fellowship.

  3. Please pray for Bob Kauflin as he leads Worship God 2026 in Louisville, KY, July 28th-31st, asking God to use Bob and the Sovereign Grace Music team to equip and strengthen worship leaders, vocalists, musicians, folks who serve on sound teams, etc, so that churches will be strengthened in God-centred worship every Sunday.

  4. Please pray for the Mexican Pastors College graduating class of 2026, students and their families from 2 different nations who having moved to Juarez, Mexico for the past 10 months, now head home to make a difference in their local churches. As they graduate on 25th July, please pray for a smooth transition back home and for faithful and fruitful days ahead for each of these graduates.

  5. Please pray for the missions teams from Crossway Church, NC, as they head Rancho 3M, Mexico, July 25th - August 1st, and from Risen Hope Church, PA, as they head to Playa Azul, Costa Rica a little later this month.

  6. Please pray for Bert Turner (Pastor at Covenant of Grace Church, Akron, USA) as he travels to Brazil later this month to visit with Igreja Graca Soberana in Rio Grande, to continue equipping and strengthening the work of Pastor Emerson Soares. Please pray that this would be a wonderful time of blessing for everyone involved.

… Thank you so much for prayers. As we abide in Him, may His grace truly abound to us all.!

 
Dave Taylor
Our Global Family of Churches
 

Just this last month we had our Sovereign Grace Key Global Leaders Retreat in Sydney, Australia, and what a wonderful time it was! Thank you so m much for your prayers. As we gathered together from June 9th-12th, coming together in representation of six different continents, the Lord met with us in wonderful ways!!

You can hear all about it on Mark Prater’s podcast… How good the Lord was to us in this time!

 
Dave Taylor
The Powerful Gospel Goes Forth
 

An update from Jim Donohue, Pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church, PA, USA, and Director of Evangelism for Sovereign Grace Churches…

A big reason why we're so eagerly seeking to plant churches is to see lost men and women come to know the forgiveness of their sins that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

This last September, we planted a church in rural Indiana with 22 people. In their launch they took their community groups through the Proclaim Course (https://proclaimcourse.org/) to motivate and equip their people in evangelism. And they just finished running their third Bridge Course (https://bridgecourse.org/), a course we designed to tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ, and their church now has more than 70 people attending each Sunday!

We also launched our first Bridge Course in London last month and are working on translating the course into 3 more languages bringing the total number up to 10.  Another exciting development is that we’ve modified our web site so that it can be viewed entirely in Spanish and we are working on doing the same thing in Chinese and other languages.

We have seen the power of God transforming so many lives in recent months. Here’s a story that displays the incredible power of the gospel to redeem and restore. It’s from a woman named Julia. Her brother invited her atheist father to Bridge and he got saved a few years ago. And through their combined witness, God saved Julia in a dramatic way.  Here is some of her story…

“I’d spent the better part of the last decade willfully rejecting God. I mutilated God’s character and began a journey of self-discovery that I thought would lead to my deliverance but in fact promised to separate me from my Creator. In early May of 2016, I stepped boldly out of the closet, clothed in my new queer identity, and I leapt into the world’s embrace. I finally internalized the one lie that had haunted me from childhood: God does not love me. And I thought, if God could reject me, that means, I could reject Him too…right? Years went by as I convinced myself I didn’t need His love, that I didn’t even want it. And yet, I searched for it with a screaming soul as I looked to others for the satisfaction that only God could give. I expected fulfillment from my relationships, but they left me hollow and increasingly desperate, until I became an open wound of unhealed hurts, unable to make it through a single day without breaking down and lashing out. The pressure was building, and I was scared that it would culminate in an irreversible act of self-injurious behavior. I had lost hope, resigned to the belief that this was just how it was, how it would always be.

It was here, in the bottleneck of my distress, that my Father in Heaven offered me salvation through the patient persistence of my father and brother here on earth. It was early one morning when my brother Antonio again asked if he could read to me from the Psalms, and by God’s Grace alone, this time, I listened. Our Dad joined, and four hours went by in which they testified and tenderly answered my questions. That same night, I invited Jesus into my life as my Treasure, Friend, Savior, and God. I wept with shame for my sins against Him, horror-struck by every rejection I had denied Him with. I looked upon the cross with new eyes, recognizing my sins hanging from our Creator as ribbons of flesh, and I wanted to look away, unable to bear the enormity of His suffering, but I’d soon learn at Bridge that this was how it had to be…decided before the beginning, outside of time and space: the solemn agreement. A selfless plan to save our wretched souls baked inside the most magnificent love story ever told, written to us as an invitation, while we were dead in our sin.

On May 11th, 2024, almost 8 years to the day since I’d come out and traded God’s love for the fleeting promises of this world, Jesus, our Lord, called me by name, saying “you are mine.” On that day, He delivered me, and a peace settled into my bones, making a home for itself among the weeds.”

 You can find the rest of Julia’s story here. Praise God for how he is using our churches to reach the lost. God is doing a great work. And we have the privilege of joining him in the unstoppable spread of the gospel.  

 
Dave Taylor
Praise & Celebration in Ethiopia
 

An update from Michael Granger, Senior Pastor of Trinity Fellowship Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia…

Sunday 31st May was marked by praise and celebration as Trinity Fellowship ordained its third pastor!

Yeabtsega has been with us almost from the very beginning of our church plant. He completed our first academic year of the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College, went through our pastoral residency, and faithfully endured our ordination assessment process with joy and excellence. More importantly, our church has already been relating to him as one of their pastors for several years. He has become a dear friend, trusted counsellor, and a faithful co-laborer to me!

Most importantly, however, Yeabtsega is married to Kimia. And honestly, we would probably hire the brother just for his wife. He seriously married up!

In Ephesians 4, Paul writes that when Christ ascended, he gave gifts to his church. In context, those gifts come in the form of pastors and teachers. Yeabtsega is an Ephesians 4 gift to Trinity Fellowship, and we thank God for him!

And a much-needed gift he is! Within the next month, Trinity Fellowship will likely reach nearly 220 members, with approximately 20 more already signed up for the next intake. In the coming days we’re also preparing to baptize 22 new individuals into the life of our church. We praise God, I praise God for providing Yeabtsega as the Lord continues to dwell amongst us.

And while we’re counting our blessings, last Sunday Pastor Amanuel completed his first solo sermon series. Since February, most of our Sundays have been spent listening to him preach through Paul’s epistle to Titus. We have been so served as he grows in preaching God’s Word.

Also, this past week, I had the privilege of lecturing at the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College alongside Brian Kiama, the first commissioned church planter sent out from Trinity Fellowship. Brian flew back from Nairobi to co-teach our course on church planting

In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul writes, “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” The Lord has so richly provided a theological training for me at Castleview, SGCL, the Pastors College, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and now Union School of Theology. We therefore have a responsibility to invest in the next generation of pastors and church planters, which it’s a joy to do!

Over the course of 25 lecture hours, we taught on both the theology and the practicals of church planting, including how the necessity of Scripture necessitates church planting, identifying a church plant location, building a team, leadership vision, raising support, launching a church, and faithfully shepherding it over time.

Our current Pastors College academic calendar runs from September 2025 to September 2026 and consists of 42 block course classes under the leadership of our dean Josh Pannell. Following graduation, I plan to invite several of the graduates into a one-year pastoral residency. During that year, these men will take on a number of the responsibilities of pastoral ministry while continuing to be trained, evaluated, encouraged, and discipled before potentially entering ordained ministry.

Please pray for James 1 wisdom as we prepare for this next residency cohort, and pray that the Lord would continue to raise up faithful workers for his harvest.

 
Dave Taylor
SGC Australia: Together 2026
 

An update from Riley Spring, Lead Pastor of Sovereign Grace Parramatta (Sydney, Australia) and National Leader for Sovereign Grace Churches Australia…

It’s not every year you get to have a ‘Pastor’s Conference’ like experience in your own church for a day! But this year Sovereign Grace Churches Australia had the privilege of having not only the Leadership Team (Mark Prater, Jeff Purswell, Jared Mellinger, Jon Payne and our very own Dave Taylor) but also the Global Leaders all with us for our combined church conference, ‘Together 2026’! 

It was an incredible day as we gathered with over 400 people from our two churches, Sovereign Grace Church Wahroonga and Sovereign Grace Church Parramatta, under the banner of Spurgeon’s famous line, ‘The Church, the Dearest Place on Earth.’ 

We had three powerful sessions with Jeff, Jon and Jared preaching for us around this theme, you can listen to their messages here. We also had a chance for each of the Global Leaders who were here for the Global Leaders Retreat to briefly share about their region of the world where the Lord is at work through Sovereign Grace (Mexico, Europe, Philippines, Africa, and the US). 

Our people were freshly stirred with a vision for God’s passionate and particular love for his people. His plan that has been in place before the beginning of the world which has now been revealed, that God will gather all the world under one head, under Christ (Eph 1). The Lord helped us see that what is taking place in very ordinary ways Sunday to Sunday is anything but ordinary! As Jesus walks amongst his lampstands (Rev 1), as we partake in the Heavenly gathering (Heb 12), we anticipate the glorious reunion of the Bride and her Husband. 

The implication is well summarised by Stott, “‘If the church is central to God’s purpose as seen in both history and the gospel it must surely also be central to our lives. How can we take lightly what God takes so seriously, how dare we push to the circumference what God has placed at the center?’ (John Stott).

It was a pure joy for me to see our churches here interacting with the Leadership Team and the Global Leaders. It was a joy to be able to publicly thank Mark Prater on behalf of SG Australia for his contribution, service, and sacrifice for us here and for all of Sovereign Grace. And it was a joy for this Aussie, to be able to host these dear brothers here in Sydney, to show them our city, to invite them into our story, and for them to revisit old friends and make new ones.  

It’s significant for us as we build Sovereign Grace Churches here in Australia that we build relationally together. We are not just an institution, a network, or a co-op, but a family! And so it’s very fitting that our two churches would come together for the day to worship, to pray, to sit under God’s word, to meet with our friends, to connect with our broader SGC Leaders and Partners….and to eat lots of Lebanese Chicken together! A taste of heaven. 

We very much feel the smile of the Lord on us and the words of Deuteronomy 7:6:

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has
chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples
 who are on the face of the earth.”

Please pray for Sovereign Grace Churches here in Australia, that we would be able to grow in love for the Lord and each other, that we would make many new disciples, and that the Lord would raise up future Pastors and Planters to take the gospel further across this great land!

 
Yvonne Gordon
Celebrating God's Work In Mexico
 

An update from Carlos Contreras, National Leader of Sovereign Grace Churches, Mexico….

This past May, we gathered in Guadalajara as Elders of Gracia Soberana México for our National Council of Elders and annual pastoral retreat. These meetings have become a highlight of our year, and this year was no exception.

The Council of Elders was a clear testimony of God’s goodness toward our Nation as we celebrated His continued strengthening of our family of churches, even through seasons of growth and challenge. I had the privilege of sharing an update on the state of our union, reminding us of God’s abundant faithfulness. Despite changing circumstances across several of our churches, He has allowed us to grow and solidify as a Nation, with a vision to serve not only Mexico but the world.

The Council approved the creation of a new East-Central region and confirmed Kike Villegas as Regional Leader. We also celebrated the ordination of Emmanuel Alfonzo, lead pastor of Vida Abundante in Moroleón, Michoacán — making it the seventh church officially partnered with our denomination.

We were encouraged by Alex Anchondo, who shared his experiences from joining the SG team that went to Pakistan January, reminding us of the unstoppable, transforming power of the Gospel — a power at work there and equally capable of transforming our own cities and nation. Antonio Díaz, pastor of our sister church in Mexico City, also shared how our national family served churches in Cuba last October by sending him and Edgar Flores to teach, encourage, and deliver much-needed medicines and resources.

I was grateful to report on the blessing of hosting the recording of the new Gracia Soberana Música album at our church — the first GSM album written entirely by Latin American songwriters. I also shared a preview of our upcoming Fieles a Su Llamado conference this August, where we will partner with Bob Kauflin and WorshipGod to host our largest event to date, with 850 expected attendees, gathering to reflect on the priorities of our Sunday worship gatherings.

Finally, Mark Prater joined us and shared his vision for the future of Sovereign Grace Churches, exhorting us to become “a multi-generational, theologically faithful, Spirit-empowered, global family of churches who together advance the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God.”

Following the Council, we held our annual pastoral retreat — a time strategically important for the development of Gracia Soberana México. These retreats are marked by fellowship in the gospel, pastoral encouragement, and opportunities for the Mexican Leadership Team to cast vision for our family of churches. This year’s theme was Pastoral Ministry in the Fear of God.

We heard powerful messages from our National Leadership Team on our calling to be pastors governed by the fear of the Lord, in light of Christ’s sobering charge to care for His church. Mark Prater spoke on the necessity of hard conversations in leadership. I shared on the fear of the Lord as the motivation and fuel for our love for Christ and His church. Hellman Avila, pastor from our El Paso church, taught on the importance of pastors recognizing their dependence on the Holy Spirit. Manolo Quintal, pastor in Silao Guanajuato and National Leadership Team member, exhorted us on pastoral ministry empowered and motivated by grace. Finally, Abelardo Muñoz, also part of the SGC Executive Committee, reminded us of the dangers of pastoral ministry, calling us to prioritize the care of our own souls and to continually return to the gospel in awe of God’s grace.

I am deeply grateful for the rich fellowship we enjoy — not only nationally but globally. This was evident throughout our retreat, in our times of ministry and prayer, shared meals, and joyful fellowship. Having been part of Sovereign Grace Churches for four decades, I rejoice to see how its values and virtues are increasingly evident in the lives of our leaders and churches in Mexico.

Thank you, Sovereign Grace, for your legacy, your continued help, and your faithful support!

 

 
Dave Taylor
Things To Pray For In June
 

Matthew 28.18-20,

‘And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

The great commission that we have been given as Christians is far bigger than we could have ever asked or imagined... But how wonderful, comforting and inspiring it is to know that the One who has called us, is always with us, even to the end of the age. What a mission changing reality this is!!

With that in mind, here are a few ways that you can be praying for our wider mission in the month ahead…

  1. Please pray for the Pastors College graduating class of 2026, students and their families from 2 different nations who having moved to Louisville, KY for the past 10 months, now head home to make a difference in their local churches. Please pray for a smooth transition back home and for faithful and fruitful days ahead for each of these graduates.

  2. Please pray for Doug Hayes as he heads to Ndola, Zambia, to break ground on the new Lighthouse Christian School’s Secondary School campus, June 4th-10th. In addition, please pray for the missions teams from Covenant of Grace (Akron OH), June 13th-20th; Risen Hope (Summerville, SC), June 20th-27th; and Cornerstone (Knoxville, TN), June 27th-July 4th; as they head to Rancho 3M, Mexico.

  3. Please pray for the Ripple Women’s Conference, 13th June, run by SGC Philippines in Manila, Philippines. Please pray that it’ll be a big blessing to all the ladies that are coming along to it from 7 different Churches in Manila. That they’d be strengthened in biblical womanhood and that as an outreach, many women would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour as a result.

  4. Please pray for Solomon Chala, a graduate of the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College in Ethiopia, and Amanuel Yehualashet, pastor of Trinity Fellowship Church, Addis Ababa, as they lead a Marriage Retreat, June 16th-23rd, for pastors & wives in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and sow into the leaders and dear brothers and sisters we relate to there.

  5. Please pray for the Sovereign Grace Key Global Leaders Retreat in Sydney, Australia, June 9th-12th, asking God to equip and strengthen our global leaders from around the world relationally and theologically, so they can better serve the Churches and endevours in their respective regions. Please also pray for the Leadership Team’s Strategic Planning Retreat that follows this time, June 15th-17th, asking God to grant wisdom and discernment for decisions that best serve our family of churches.

  6. Please pray that God would continue to provide financially for Sovereign Grace Churches so that we can continue to fund the many gospel opportunities that He is giving us throughout the world.

… It’s a big world out there, so how good it is to know that He will always be with us, both now and to the end of the age!!

 
Dave Taylor