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!
Monthly Prayer Calendar
For brief daily prayer points, click here for our monthly calendar.
Prayer Updates
Dallas GPA: June 16 | June 16, 2014
Dear friends:
Thank you for your intentional prayer for the Dallas GPA. We are happy to report these ways we are seeing prayer answered:
The pastors had a great time in Sherman. Praise the Lord for good connections with their host families and the churches there. One pastor reported that he felt so valued by everyone involved. This is a huge praise for pastors who are used to ministering in isolated and sometimes thankless positions.
Also praise the Lord that the Master Coaches' lessons are impacting the pastors at a deep level. Pastor J from Mozambique had this to say about a lesson Master Coach Celestin Musekura gave on forgiveness and reconciliation:
"The session yesterday was about forgiveness and to consider reconciliation. It was very strong. I've never heard anyone describe and live the forgiveness and to consider reconciliation like that... There are no words."
Please continue to pray for the 2014 Dallas GPA as we enter week two:
Continue to pray for Pastor L's daughter in Hungary, who is still ill.
Pray for the Master Coaches who are teaching this week: Dr. Ramesh Richard, Dr. Dennis Hollinger, Dr. Barry Corey, Dr. Bill Lawrence and Dr. Wayne Strickland. Pray that the pastors will begin this week with enthusiasm, excitement and eagerness to learn and to bond with each other. Pray for the pastors as they work on their homework this week.
Pray for the pastors as they prepare to give presentations about their home churches and ministry activities.
Pray that each of the pastors will bond with at least one other pastor on a deep level this week.
Pray for the pastors to get adequate rest this week as the schedule can be demanding. Pray for the health of each of the pastors. Pray for the pastors' families at home as they continue without their husbands and fathers.
Pray that the GPA Chaplain will minister and bless the pastors this week, helping with any issues or problems as they arise.
Pray that administrative and logistical tasks go as planned and that all behind-the-scenes work is carried out with excellence.
Pray that those who attend a Global Impact lunch this week will be encouraged by how God is working around the world through the 2014 Dallas GPA delegates.
For His glory,
Edie Ross
Prayer Coordinator
Received: April 29, 2021
Dallas GPA: June 13 | June 13, 2014
Dear Friends:
Thank you for your continued prayer for the 2014 Dallas GPA. We are at the end of the first week and are praising God for all He has done and is doing through the 2014 delegates.
We also are thankful to a handful of churches in Sherman, who are partnering together to host all 25 pastors in that community over the weekend.
Please continue to pray for the 2014 Dallas GPA:
For the pastors as they finish their first week of classes.
For safety in travel to Fort Worth tonight as the pastors attend a rodeo and for bonding opportunities to occur.
That each of the pastors will get adequate rest and relaxation over the weekend. Pray that the pastors and host families will be safe over the weekend as they enjoy fun activities.
That the church services the pastors will attend with their host families are meaningful and encouraging to the pastors. Pray that the pastors will make lasting connections with their host families and the churches they visit for future encouragement and mutual benefit.
For the home churches of each of the pastors as their Sunday services continue in their absence. Pray for the families of the pastors and their continued safety and well-being.
That each of the pastors returns safely to DTS Sunday evening.
That each of the pastors will be humble servants and that God gives them wisdom as they contemplate implementing what they learned this week in their home churches and ministries. Pray that God will enrich the pastors in their knowledge, understanding and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ and His worldwide church.
For His glory,
Edie Ross
Prayer Coordinator
Received: April 29, 2021
Dallas GPA: June 11 | June 11, 2014
Dear friends:
Thank you for continuing to pray for the 2014 Dallas GPA.
An update for you:
Pastor J from the Dominican Republic is feeling better. Praise God that the medication has helped his rash, and he is able to return to class today.
The printer is fixed, kind of. It will print some documents, but not others. Please continue to pray that we'd have no further technology problems!
Praise:
For the very practical study outline provided by Dr. Ramesh Richard that helps train our pastors in biblical preaching.
For the integrity and good reputation that brought the 2014 delegates to the GPA.
Please continue to pray for the 2014 Dallas GPA. Pastor V from Liberia prayed this over the first day of classes yesterday. We hope you begin to see the heart of these pastors and the importance of these three weeks as you read his words. Please join us in joining him in this prayer!
Lord Jesus, we may not be (intellectuals) as a class of pastors, and yet there is so much we will have to absorb, digest and apply. Help the master coaches to be precise and to communicate with power that our hearts and minds will fully receive. At the same time, if you could teach Peter and the others who were considered "unlearned men", and turned them into men who turned the world upside down for you, help me and my brothers today. We lean on your Holy Spirit, our teacher and the giver of true wisdom... It's so easy for you to do, Lord and more. Thank you for doing this, in the name of Christ Jesus I pray, amen...
Also pray:
For the pastors' churches and families. Two pastors asked for prayer for their children, who had become ill. Pastor V from Liberia also asked for prayer for his church, which has had two members pass away while he's been away.
That the time the pastors spend one-on-one will develop into rich bonds of personal and ministry partnerships.
For the Master Coaches scheduled for the remainder of the week. Pray for their sensitivity to the Spirit and clarity in teaching.
For wisdom as the pastors consider the best uses for the material they are gathering.
For the lessons that speak to the personal heart of each pastor. May they sense the leading of the Spirit.
For good attendance at Global Impact meals.
Pray that all secured host families won't run into any issues that would prevent them from hosting.
For His glory,
Edie Ross
Prayer Coordinator
Received: April 29, 2021
Dallas GPA: June 9 UPDATE | June 9, 2014
6/10 Update: Please pray for Pastor J from the Dominican Republic, who has developed a bad rash that is causing significant discomfort and also has kept him from sleeping. He was able to see a nurse practitioner this morning and she prescribed some medicine, which we hope will provide quick relief.
Please pray that Pastor J's body would respond, and also that the rash does not get worse or cause a fever, in which case he may need more serious medical attention.
Dear friends:
Thank you for your intercession for the Dallas GPA and these international pastors who take the message of Christ throughout the earth. We had a wonderful first weekend with the pastors, including trips to two local churches and the Dallas Arboretum.
Please join us in praying for pastors' requests:
Pastor V from Liberia: Please pray for his wife, who had an asthma attack after he left.
Pastor S from Cambodia: Please pray for his wife and newborn baby, who was born the day before he came to Dallas!
We praise God:
For the safe arrival of all pastors.
For the connection pastors already have made to each other.
For the generosity of those families and churches who showed hospitality in various ways for the pastors over their first weekend in Dallas.
Please continue to pray for the 2014 Dallas GPA:
That the pastors would be encouraged by and attentive to the Master Coaches of the first week: Dr. Ramesh Richard, Dr. Celestin Musekura, Dr. Bruce Fong, Dr. Bill Brown and Dr. Mark Yarbrough.
For clarity and effectiveness of instruction from the Master Coaches.
That the fellowship among 2014 Dallas GPA pastors would overflow into lifelong ministry partnerships with each other and with those who have previously graduated from the Dallas GPA.
As each pastor gives a formal ministry report, may the entire group be stirred to glorify God.
Against further technology problems. Our main office printer stopped working late last week! Pray that it would be fixed quickly.
For His glory,
Edie Ross
Prayer Coordinator
Received: April 29, 2021
Back to Brazil | June 6, 2014
Dear friends,
We have been blessed with the outpouring of prayer and concern for Dr. Richard regarding his entry to Brazil for the Lausanne Theological Educators Consultation II.
Dr. Richard is now in Brazil, and by the time he returns to Dallas, he will have spent four of six nights this week on 10-hour plane rides. He returned to Dallas on Tuesday morning from São Paulo, and applied for a visa on Wednesday, obtained it, and courtesy of the Airlines took another flight back to Brazil. We praise the Lord for the efforts of all who were involved in expediting the process.
Dr. Richard entered Brazil in time to speak at the consultation with 24 countries of leaders. While undoubtedly depleted physically, he says that in the long run it saves him from going to 24 countries! Please continue to pray for him as this extra travel takes place so close to the kick-off of the 2014 Dallas GPA this Sunday. Praise God that His grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12.9)
We apologize for the delay in getting this update to you, but it was necessary to work quietly before being sure that the visa was secured. As Dr. Richard says, "your prayers keep us going." Thank you so much.
For His glory,
Edie Ross
Prayer Coordinator