Only God
RREACH’s first operational value is “Only God.” One way we recognize and live our dependence on Him is by beginning, covering and ending every aspect of ministry in prayer, with thanksgiving.
Dr. Richard says, “Prayer precedes ministry,” and as the Lord continues to open doors for his ministry, we realize afresh the need for prayer.
Please take a moment to pray and praise over the updates on this page, featuring a daily prayer calendar at the beginning of each month. Also let us know how we can pray for you!
Prayer Calendar
Prayer Updates
In his words: Ramesh Richard August update | August 4, 2017
Dear praying friends,
“For the first time since 2012 I felt I had a day off,” I told Bonnie early last month. I have had days off, for sure, but the fact that I was not pushing or driving towards any big, future thing was what made me feel this way. I think it was also the point of resuscitation in this five-year voyage. I get to serve Christ at His pleasure in full strength again.
On July 1, Dallas Seminary welcomed me back into full-time faculty duties. What an amazing connection with my alma mater, whose leadership has not only accommodated our original understanding of 30 years ago, but gone beyond it to institutionally and personally support what I can bring to the school in global theological engagement and pastoral ministries. It was intriguing that I hosted a global phone conference of formal and non-formal theological education on the very day of my return to DTS.
I dedicated last month to what we called iA.S.K.—explained in my devotional in our third-quarter RR Crossing magazine. Please enjoy it for your spiritual health. Taking the acronym from Matthew 7:7, I am
Asking for God’s good gifts, especially the Holy Spirit’s empowerment as His best good gift to us;
Seeking first His kingdom—His purposes, priorities and plans for this ministry—while conduct myself righteously; and
Knocking at His door for opportunities big and small, deep and wide, far and near, long and short, even heavy and light. Because much has been given to me, much is required from me.
I also penned First Basic: Confession & Conviction for Missio Nexus, an organization attempting to return the North American missions community to the basics of evangelism, discipleship and church planting at its 100th anniversary year.
2017’s Media Outreach theme media is Peace. I recorded six more short videos for LifeRocks. If you don’t get our bi-monthly videos, weekly thoughts and daily postings, please let us know.
While on a weekend trip to New York to be with my dad and sister, I ended up preaching at a vibrant, international church; I also spoke in Dallas at a South Asian congregation. Both were delightful. I felt like I was in healthy churches with active congregational participation in testimonies, songs, prayer and sharing, all before communion, offering and the message.
These are decisive days for RREACH, moving from waiting (January to June) to asking (July), to prioritizing (in August), to implementing (September to December and beyond)! Every time someone sends a gift or says they pray regularly for me explains so much of what God continues to condescend to do through us, His servants, you and me together. Thank you.
Received: April 29, 2021
Changing the way people think...will you pray? | July 28, 2017
Dear praying friends,
The Lord Jesus gave Dr. Richard some unexpected ministry encouragement during a quick trip to visit his father, Dr. John Richard. He met a man who remembered his talk at a leadership seminar held more than 20 years ago—and the man had been just 11 years old at the time! He also got word that a Christian television station in India is airing his LifeRocks Media Outreach messages daily. In addition to the joy of spending time with his dad, what an affirmation for Dr. Richard that God continues to change the way people think about the Lord Jesus Christ through his personal proclamation!
Will you trust God with us for his upcoming proclamation opportunities, which include Media Outreach message filming, guest-speaking at the church of an internationally-renowned minister, and a pastors conference and evangelistic outreaches in East Africa?
We rejoice in the 29 pastors who graduated from GPA Ivory Coast this month and the 24 pastors who gathered this week for GPA Argentina, which is to run through August 5.
GPA Argentina pastors in class
Pray for God’s special connecting, uniting and strengthening for all of our Dallas and national GPA graduates and for current and upcoming national GPA attendees.
Please also uphold RREACH and GProCommission team members and their families, RREACH Board members and their families, and Dr. Richard’s family, especially as many travel this summer. Based in Dallas, Texas, USA; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Beirut, Lebanon; Kampala, Uganda; and many other places, we all strive to serve together for the proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ worldwide.
Received: April 29, 2021
30 years of proclamation products...and many more, D.V. | July 14, 2017
Dear praying friends,
Whew! RREACH is in the last stages of inventorying 30 years of Dr. Ramesh Richard’s personal proclamation products—from books, booklets and articles to audio and video recordings (in every format from beta to digital). We’re so grateful for the volunteers who generously gave time to help pull three decades worth of materials into one central database. Please pray for Dr. Richard and the Ministries team as they strategize creative and cost-effective new ways to use these texts and messages to further proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s hard to believe one year has passed since the culmination of the GProCongress gathering of pastoral trainers in Bangkok. Efforts to follow up with attendees and further mobilize pastoral trainers have been intensive and fruitful, yet the need remains immense. Please ask God to pour out wisdom, power, perseverance and sufficiency on the team. Intercede for more workers to help in this critical aspect of the harvest.
Eight national GPAs have taken place so far in 2017. GPAs Argentina and Gabon are scheduled to begin in the next few weeks.
GPA Honduras graduates
Pray for all graduates to continue to connect, unite and be strengthened, and for God’s will to prevail as organizers labor to pull off many more national GPAs planned for this year.
We thank you!
Received: April 29, 2021
In his words: Ramesh Richard July update | July 7, 2017
Our annual highlight is the amazing Dallas GPA which absorbs our energies and energizes our activities. For three weeks, RREACH hosts this fruitful project at Dallas Theological Seminary. This year 29 pastors from 29 countries were immersed in Scripture, in classes, and in fellowship with one another.
That the 2017 Dallas GPA happened was a miracle indeed. Two months prior we didn’t know if we would have enough pastoral leaders. The US visa environment had changed, and we wondered if our model of bringing fine, younger pastoral leaders to Dallas would have to be changed, too.
“But God”—the powerful phrase which moves earth from heaven—became a reality. Our aim was 25 pastors from 25 countries, and God gave us 29. Target exceeded, with five new countries represented. Here’s one of many letters we received from them recently to encourage you:
By God’s grace I arrived safe-and-sound back home after one of the greatest experiences of my life, participating at Global Proclamation Academy in Dallas. I want to express my gratitude for your leadership and for how God has used you in my life and ministry. God used the GPA, the teaching of master coaches and the fellowship of pastors to clarify my vision and rekindle my passion for the Gospel. I am in-debt to the grace of God and pray that God will continue to make the changes He began to do in my heart that will affect, God willing, both my family and my ministry for His own glory.
You know we have a 100% return rate! All have arrived in their homelands to strive on!
One major memory was the Dallas GPA delegates’ Skype call with GPA Honduras (June 8 – 17). Pastoral leaders spanning the whole globe encouraged 20 younger pastoral leaders in that deprived Central American land. The connection and multiplication continues deep and wide, near and far, slowly and speedily.
I had to make a quick trip to Wittenberg, Germany, where 70 global strategists (apparently, I am one) met to consider breakthrough ideas for Christ’s cause over the next 3 to 5 years. It was a relationally rich time. Best of all, RREACH emphasis was again confirmed, because almost all impactful and workable ideas in every context go through pastoral leaders.
Each year at this time, RREACH assesses all our ministries and activities, strengths and weaknesses, assets and liabilities, resources and lacks. I have dedicated July to move from a year of listening and waiting to asking and receiving in view of planning and acting. Please pray for me.
Received: April 29, 2021
An ending that is really a beginning | June 23, 2017
Dear praying friends,
The three intense weeks of the 2017 Dallas GPA are drawing to a close. Today, Dr. Richard taught the final Master Coach sessions and joined the pastors in a special wrap-up time of sharing and prayer. Tomorrow, the Lord willing, many RREACH friends will gather for the GPA graduation dinner, a time of celebration and commissioning.
Please pray for these final hours in Dallas to be rich for our 29 fine young pastoral leaders. As Dr. Richard says, the real GPA work begins as these men go back to the demands and stresses of ministry in their 29 different countries. Pray that the connecting, uniting and strengthening they experienced here will multiply into greater proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2017 GPA delegates: Connecting, uniting, strengthening
Intercede for Dr. Richard as he finalizes and delivers his graduation talk.
The RREACH and GPA staff also appreciate prayer as we strive to create a first-class experience for the pastors down to the final details, and to honor the Lord Jesus Christ in how we speak and serve amid all the responsibilities and demands. Much is yet to be done to host the banquet and to get the pastors safely on their way home (pray for safe travels, too!)
GPA Honduras has its graduation this weekend, as well. Pray for the Lord’s rich blessing on that special event and on the pastors as they go forward better connected, united and strengthened to serve.
Thank you, friends, for caring and praying.