Pray for Micronesia on Sunday, February 24, 2013

Lectionary Selection: Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28 – 36

Prayers for Micronesia:
Enihlap (God in Pohnpeian), the sustainer of the ocean and land, provider and comforter to us who journey the waves of this great ocean, we beseech thee, gather us into one heart as we are one people. In time past your servants sailed this faire sea to bring us Good News, and today we pray that we may continue to conquer this sea in the name of justice, peace, and love. And if this is our Jerusalem, if this is the burial ground for your prophets, then let us lie in peace with our ancestors in the bottom of this blue sea, with satisfied hearts knowing that these islands, these colours, these languages, clustered and known as the Micronesians, may be one in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Mission Stewardship Moment from Micronesia:
The partner churches in Micronesia are under the ecclesiastical umbrella of the Micronesian Conference of the United Church of Christ (MCUCC). The MCUCC works very closely with the Hawaiian Conference (UCC) and Global Ministries. The one thing the partner church in Micronesia is lacking in is proper theological training for its pastors. Ninety nine point nine percentages of pastors in these islands were promoted to these positions without any theological or pastoral training at all. The function of pastors in the Micronesian church is confined to sacraments, prayers, and preaching whenever there is a church conference. These pastors need theological training. My assignment with Global Ministries is to provide training for pastors in these Micronesian islands. Please pray that pastors, lay ministers, and deacons in these islands will receive theological training so that they can nurture, protect, and lead the people.

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Niko Tapaeko Sopepa)

Mission Partners in Micronesia:

More information on Micronesia:
http://globalministries.org/eap/countries/micronesia/

Global Ministries Missionary in Micronesia:
Nikotemo Tapaeko serves with the Churches of Micronesia Council of United Church of Christ. He teaches theology at the Ohwa Christian College in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.