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
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
Received: April 29, 2021
Dallas GPA: June 6 | June 6, 2014
Dear friends,
Praise the Lord, six of our 2014 Dallas GPA delegates have safely arrived and we are expecting 19 more today.
Please pray for the Dallas GPA, including:
Continue to pray that all of the GPA pastors will have safe travels, ease going through customs, no flight delays/changes, no missed transfers and that their luggage will arrive in Dallas. Also, please pray that the pastors enjoy good rest while on the plane and a quick recovery from jet lag.
Pray that each airport pickup goes smoothly.
Pray against any logistical issues related to housing at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Pray that each of the pastors will acclimate to their new surroundings, such as their new bed, roommates, food, and routine.
Pray that all of the pastors will connect and bond with their classmates and that lifelong personal friendships and ministry networking relationships begin upon arrival.
Thank the Lord for our partnership with Dallas Theological Seminary, as they house, feed and care for the pastors. Pray for the seminary staff as they have extra responsibilities during the GPA.
Pray that all the work taking place behind the scenes to make the GPA successful goes smoothly.
Pray for the RREACH staff and that they stay healthy and safe during the GPA.
Continue to pray for protection over all equipment being used for the GPA/RREACH.
Pray for all graduation banquet logistics, the program preparation and for Dr. Richard as he finishes up his banquet talk.
Pray that the pastors will dedicate this time to God and His will for their lives.
Pray that the pastors will seek to serve the other pastors, working together as the body of Christ.
Pray that God will be glorified throughout the 2014 GPA.
For His glory,
Edie Ross
prayer coordinator
Received: April 29, 2021
Meet the 2014 Dallas GPA delegates | June 3, 2014
Dear friends,
Thank you for your continued prayer for Dr. Richard and RREACH! Over the next three weeks we will have many GPA-related prayer requests to share with you. Today, we'd like to help you get to know the pastors.
The Lord has provided 25 fine, young lead pastors from 25 countries, including four never represented before at a Dallas GPA (Bhutan, Cambodia, Nicaragua and Angola.
RREACH staff and Dr. Richard have been in contact with these pastors over the last few months and are eagerly awaiting their arrival. Correspondence with this group has been encouraging and also enlightening to us, and we wanted to share a few of their notes with you.
"It has already been a challenging time for us just preparing to honor the dedication we feel you and all the GPA team has for serving us with a Christ-like heart and attitude. We appreciate that very much. Please, know in Christ that you and all the GPA team and efforts have been in our hearts and prayers daily. I believe it won't stop even after the GPA June, 2014 happens. I feel, as I think you dreamed in the beginning, as we are like the Family of God Christ intended the Church to be. Dreaming, praying and acting together for the Glory of the Father." - Pastor N, Brazil
"I live in community where there is no electricity. I need to pay to get my laptop charged and some times even though I have the money they are not ready to charge it, so some time even though I would like do something very quick it takes me time. I have a lot to do and I praise the Lord for having lots to do for His glory." -Pastor A, Haiti (writing about his delay in sending needed information)
"Sometimes I feel a bit anxious as I think of this trip. I cannot wait to come. It is going to be one of the longest trips I have ever had. It will be my first time to be in the USA. You can just imagine. It is going to be an experience. I am always praying for the GPA team and for a fruitful experience." -Pastor J, Zimbabwe
Please pray for the delegates:
That all of the GPA pastors will have safe travels, ease going through customs, no flight delays, no missed transfers and that their luggage will arrive in Dallas. Also, please pray that the pastors enjoy good rest while on the plane and a quick recovery from jet lag. Pray that each airport pickup goes smoothly.
That the pastors' spouses, children and families are safe and well taken care of during this extended time away. Pray that each of the pastors will be able to contact their spouses after arriving in Dallas.
Please pray for Dallas GPA preparations:
For Dallas Theological Seminary as they finalize rooms, classrooms and menus in preparation for the arrival of the pastors.
For RREACH staff as we welcome the pastors to Dallas and the United States, that we can meet their needs and assist them as they begin their three-week GPA stay.
Please pray for Dr. Richard:
That God would use him as he welcomes and leads the ninth class of the Dallas GPA.
For time, clarity of thought and creativity for him and the other Master Coaches as they prepare their lessons for the Dallas GPA.
For God to supply him the energy he needs during the three-week Dallas GPA.
For His glory,
Edie Ross
Prayer coordinator