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

Received: April 29, 2021

Notes from the pastors | May 27, 2014

Dear friends,

Thank you for continuing to pray for Dr. Richard and RREACH. As we prepare for the 2014 Dallas GPA here at the RREACH headquarters, other RREACH ministries are being carried out by Dallas GPA graduates around the world.

On Sunday, GPA Rwanda came to a close. We are awaiting a final report, but heard from one of the organizers (Pastor JB, a 2014 Dallas GPA graduate) that 30 young pastors were in attendance.

Pastors were connected and united by sharing their testimonies, visiting area churches together and even through friendly games of volleyball. They also were strengthened by lessons on expository preaching using Dr. Richard's Scripture Sculpture method.

All of the National GPAs are special, but this one was a great encouragement to us as it included a man we have longed to see. Right before GPA Rwanda began, we received a note from Pastor I from Rwanda, who was accepted as a 2014 Dallas GPA delegate, but was denied his visa and therefore unable to attend.

I once again want to thank you for following up with me even when my visa application was rejected. Yesterday, I received a call from Dallas referring me to the national GPA here and I immediately contacted Pastor E and Pastor JB. So, it's my pleasure to inform you that I will be able to attend the national GPA here in Kigali starting today. As we are still praying for each other, may God bless you abundantly. In his service, Pastor I.

Pastor I (Right) and Rajiv Richard at GPA Rwanda

Please continue to pray for Pastor I and all of the GPA Rwanda delegates as they take the training they received back to their home churches and villages.

Dallas GPA

Thank you for continuing to pray for the pastors attending the Dallas GPA. As you know, Pastor A from Syria was selected and obtained his visa, but was waiting to receive his passport. He wrote recently to let us know that, because of elections there, he does not believe he will receive it in time. He said this:

I do believe that our Almighty God is able to do miracles. But, on the other hand I know there are many arrangements you have to do, that's why I thought to apologize, although my coming would add a lot to my life and ministry as well.

My church and I were so encouraged and personally I was interested and waiting to be part of GPA 2014 with high expectations...

Will be praying for you all and for GPA 2014. Please keep holding me on your prayers.

Please also continue to pray for *25 2014 Dallas GPA delegates who will be joining us, the Lord willing, in Dallas in just under two weeks! Stay tuned for a closer look at who we are expecting to join us this year.

For His glory,

Edie Ross

Prayer Coordinator 

 *Pastors with secured visas represent the following countries: Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Haiti, Hungary, Indonesia, Lebanon, Liberia, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Zimbabwe.

Received: April 29, 2021

"Sorrowful and hope-filled" | April 30, 2014

Dear friends,

Thank you for your continued prayer for Dr. Richard and RREACH. There is much on our hearts and minds this morning, and we ask you to join us in earnest prayer for the following needs:

Home-going:

Late last week Dr. Richard made the prayerful decision to cancel a trip to southeast Asia in order to join his family by his ailing mother's bedside. Mrs. Manorama Richard went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, and Dr. Richard shared his thoughts this way: "Loud applause from this first born son for his beloved mother's graduation into heaven today w/ HIGH HONORS. Sorrowful & hope-filled."

Dr. Richard and his mother, Manorama (Mrs. John) Richard, at his Dallas Seminary graduation.

Manorama Richard was born on April 9, 1924, in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India to Mr. & Mrs. Masilamani Mudaliar. Having personally embraced the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior in 1957, she wished to share God’s salvation to all her immediate and extended family.

She lived her early years in Secunderabad, A.P., was educated in Chennai and Delhi, and then married David John Richard on May 31, 1950. After the birth of their son Ramesh, they moved from Hyderabad to Chennai for her husband’s employment with the Indian Airlines. Ramani, Ravi, and Rajiv were added to the family there. She would personally lead all four children to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Called to serve with her husband in full time vocational ministry, Manorama and her family moved to New Delhi in 1972. After fruitful worldwide service, the Richards immigrated to Syracuse, New York, in 1991 and to Richardson, Texas, in 1995. The core Richard family includes four children, eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Please join us in praising God for Mrs. Richard's life, which was marked by a devotion to God. Also, please hold her family up in prayer. Mrs. Richard's memorial service will take place this evening in Richardson, TX.

Cancelled trip:

In southeast Asia, Dr. Richard was to take part in important meetings regarding the 2016 Global Proclamation Congress for Pastoral Trainers and also teach at GPA Myanmar.

Two RREACH representatives attended the Congress meetings on Dr. Richard's behalf, and have reported the meetings are completed and were mutually encouraging. Praise God!

GPA Myanmar:

GPA Myanmar is underway with 25 fine young pastors from across the country attending. Please pray for the pastors who are attending, that their ministries would be strengthened and changed because of their time at GPA Myanmar and that the Lord would provide immediate opportunities for them to multiply their training to other pastors in their communities and regions.

For His glory,

Edie Ross

Prayer coordinator

Received: April 29, 2021