Fwd: Unexpected outcomes

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: EMM <catherine.merkey@emm.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 31, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Subject: Unexpected outcomes
To: <gehmanmennonitechurch@gmail.com>

Watching Unexpected Peace (2024) with a group of young Tanzanians, a few months after a major outbreak of political violence, was far and away the most intense and engaged audience that I have sat wit

UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES Watching Unexpected Peace (2024) with a group of young Tanzanians, a few months after a major outbreak of political violence, was far and away the most intense and engaged audience that I have sat with. They stayed after the film for two hours debating the issues raised and talking about the application of lessons learned for their situation. None of the film’s stories came from their region, but they felt connected to the themes and internalized the message! What has emerged as most helpful for evaluating how different audiences connect with the film is to ask about their proximity to violence or their experiences of living in a mixed faith community.  READ MORE   DAILY PRAYER West Africa 1 | Pray for the Bambara in the Gambia. Over 80% of this people group is Muslim. Pray that God would reveal his son to them in a way that is impactful to them, so that as one of the most powerful and influential people groups in West Africa, they can share him with others.  2 | Ask the Lord to call short-term workers to serve in West Africa.  3 | Pray for Jon and Heleen Yoder as they prepare for a visit to Sierra Leone in the coming months to support the local team at the beginning of a new school year. 4 | Ask the Lord to call long-term workers to serve in West Africa. Central Asia 5 | Pray for the Dargin in Uzbekistan, who are comprised of 100% adherents to Islam. In Uzbekistan, many raise livestock. Pray for provision for their physical and spiritual needs, and a revelation of Jesus to them.  6 | Ask the Lord to call short-term workers to serve in Central Asia. 7 | Pray for the Lyuli in Uzbekistan. Over 99% of this people group is Muslim. As they are a close-knit people, pray that God would reveal himself to them, and for effectiveness in sharing him both within their clan structures and beyond.  8 | Ask the Lord to call long-term workers to serve in Central Asia. Other parts of the world 9 | Join William Higgins in prayer for his trip to Kenya during the first two weeks of this month. Pray for safe travel, good health, and for blessings as he teaches two classes in the Kenya Mennonite School in Migori (MATCO).  10 | Pray for the children of EMM worker families, as they prepare for the back-to-school season. 11 | Pray for those completing service with EMM and are returning to their home contexts. Lift them up during this transition. 12 | Please join Mike and Nancy Hostetter in prayer that God will provide a full-time English teacher and part-time English teachers for the remainder of the school year for PROMESA Mennonite School in Cusco, Peru, which ends in December.  13 | Join J.C. Ebersole in praying for the All-nations Association of Bible Schools (AABS) Africa Director as he works to expand AABS into several countries in East Africa. Pray for divine connections and favor with church leaders and a productive visit in each country. 14 | As Carissa Sherer is in the U.S., on leave from ministry in Guatemala for 3 weeks this month, ask the Lord to fill her trip with rest, meaningful time with family, and renewed connections with friends and supporters. Central Europe 15 | Pray for Karen Hess as she interacts with mothers who visit Crossroads library in Prague, Czech Republic. Pray for meaningful conversations with those who are seeking, that they would be drawn closer to God as he meets them in their journey. 16 | Ask the Lord to call short-term workers to serve in Central Europe.  17 | Pray for Vojta and Stacy Prknovi, who are entering a time of sabbatical. Pray for the ability to hear God's voice and to walk in obedience to the things he's calling them to.  18 | Ask the Lord to call long-term workers to serve in Central Europe. Southeast Asia 19 | Join Timothy and Madison* in thanking God for twenty years on the field and being able to see their twins graduate in May! They never dreamed this would be possible, but God has done exceedingly more than they could have imagined in work and school. All glory and praise to him! 20 | Join Brody and Abigail* in praying for wisdom and discernment for support raising and for a smooth transition as they move out of their home. Join them in praising God for unexpected blessings. 21 | Ask the Lord to call short-term workers to serve in Southeast Asia.  22 | Join Mark and Sarah Schoenhals in prayer for physical, spiritual, and relational protection over members of LEC house churches in Northeast Thailand as they grow as disciples of Jesus and seek to disciple others. 23 | Ask the Lord to lead and guide the search process for the Southeast Asia regional representative role.  24 | Join Steve Horst and Bethany Tobin in prayer for their children, Anjali, Manny, and Tierzah, as they begin a new school year; for new friendships and growing in their relationship with God. 25 | Ask the Lord to call long-term workers to serve in Southeast Asia.  Lancaster, Pa. 26 | Ask the Lord to call volunteers to serve at Neighbors Community Center at Hub450.  27 | Pray for the process of getting the 433 N. Prince Street house set up. Pray that it comes together for Advance participants to be able to stay there starting this fall. Pray that the renovation and furnishing is able to be completed by the end of this month.  28 | Pray for wisdom and discernment for EMM CAO staff in the processing of many applications, for both short and long-term assignments. Praise God for the call that he is placing on people’s lives! 29 | Join Phil and Linda Gottschalk in praising God for their safe journey from Bucharest to Romania to Lancaster. Praise God for the positive time of connections and refreshment in the Netherlands. Pray for their continued role teaching online with the Baptist Theological Institute in Bucharest, Romania. 30 | Pray for Daryl and Jen Hoover as they transition from Costa Rica to Pennsylvania. Pray for those filling their roles at VidaNet. Pray for their son Adam as he starts a new school with new friends.  31 | Pray for God to call business leaders to sign up for the Business Leaders’ Breakfast hosted at Hub450 next month, on September 15th. Pray that it is a meaningful time as the theme “Local Business — Global Impact” is explored.  Some prayer requests adapted from joshuaproject.net. *Names changed for sensitivity reasons.

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Fwd: LMC Updates: Remembering the Life of Deke Rider

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches <information@lmcchurches.org>
Date: Wed, Jul 22, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Subject: LMC Updates: Remembering the Life of Deke Rider
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

And other news and events from LMC and our resource partners.

View this email in your browser. LMC Updates Remembering Deke Rider, Director of Camp Hebron The LMC Executive Bishop Team and Staff express their deep condolences on the unexpected passing of Deke Rider, Director of Camp Hebron. Our thoughts and prayers extend to Deke's wife and children. May the Good Shepherd comfort, encourage, and strengthen all those associated with the Camp in this season of loss. Deke was a man of deep faith who loved the Lord and served his people. He had a heart for the disadvantaged and those on the margins. Deke served in his role with integrity, compassion, and enthusiasm. LMC is grateful for the many ways that Deke's influence impacted hundreds of lives. His legacy will continue to live on through the lives that he touched. We will continue to be praying for Deke's family, the Board, and Staff as they discern next steps. ~ LMC Executive Bishop Team and Staff Other LMC News Youth Rally at Alive Church Ephrata Alive Church Ephrata (510 Stevens Rd., Ephrata PA 17522) is hosting a youth rally on August 30th! The theme for the day is "Build Your Kingdom Here." Youth can expect tournaments and games, interactive breakouts, tasty food, worship, and a message from guest speaker Josh Lapp. For more information, check out the attached event flyer. This event is open to any and all youth! The Global Leadership Summit "For years, the Weaverland leadership team has attended GLS. What started as a one-off event quickly became a priority in our annual calendar. We set aside two days to grow and invest in our personal and spiritual leadership together as a team. I assure you, GLS brings top-shelf resourcing and will grow and challenge any current or aspiring LMC leader who desires to grow their spiritual leadership.  Weaverland is thrilled to again host GLS on August 6-7. We would be honored to have you join us at this premier leadership equipping event." Learn more online at Weaverland's website. ~ Brian Martin, Weaverland Lead Pastor & LMC Bishop Community Hymn Sing The Pennsylvania Relief Sale is hosting a Community Hymn Sing on August 23 at Intercourse Community Park! Arrive at 5:15 p.m. for fellowship; singing will start at 6 p.m. If you have a copy of Voices Together, Heartland Hymns, or a Din Lieder songbooks, please bring it along; extra books will be available if needed. Also, bring along a lawn chair. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). For more info, call 717-208-4152, ext. 819. Join the Mission of LMC LMC is a Spirit-led movement to: • Make disciples of Jesus • Mobilize every member as a missionary • Multiply faith communities locally and beyond Donate Share Your Story Everyone has a story. We'd love to hear how the Lord is speaking to you, how the Spirit is at work in your congregation, or how you're experiencing life transformation. Share your story online at our website.   Share Your Story From Our Resource Partners Come and See: West Africa | Eastern Mennonite Missions Join EMM this January 6–18, 2027, as we visit the growing Christian communities of Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau. Participants will learn about the growth of the Anabaptist church, experience the mission context of the region, and witness how the gospel has taken root among previously unreached peoples. As this is a spiritual journey through a developing part of the world, participants should be prepared to experience conditions that are less comfortable than those to which they may be accustomed when traveling in the developed world. Trip cost, including airfare from/to Dulles, local transportation, and lodging, but excluding vaccinations, medicine, and souvenirs, is $2,500 per person. Learn more and apply to join this trip at EMM.ORG/TRIPS. Made Clear Webinar Series Everence seeks to explain financial topics in clear, easy-to-understand ways to help people gain financial confidence. Their Made Clear Webinar series is designed to help with that, covering everything from investing basics to retirement planning to teaching your kids about money. Join their free, live webinars, or watch later on your own time. Visit their website for more info. Night at the Ballpark Join Friendship Community on Thursday, August 6 at 6:45 p.m. for their Night at the Ballpark! Held at Penn Medicine Park (650 North Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603). Tickets are FREE, but with limited availability; RSVP your tickets by going to Friendship's website. Find more info at friendshipcommunity.net/night-at-the-ballpark/. Pathways Institute Kickoff Plan now to attend the Pathways Institute Kickoff on Tuesday, August 4 in High Foundation Auditorium, Crossing Building, at Landis Homes, from 1:30-3:00 p.m.! This festive, drop-in event is a chance to chat with instructors to see what lifelong learning classes you might like to attend this fall. Open to anyone aged 55+ in Lancaster County. Registration opens Wednesday, Aug. 5. For more info, or to register, contact us at (717) 381.3577 or www.thepathwaysinstitute.org/lancaster-county/. No Longer Alone Family Support Group The No Longer Alone Family Support Group, supported by Landis Communities, will meet the fourth Sunday of the month. The guest speakers for August will be Ken and Linda Kauffman, members of NLA FSG. Their presentation “Sharing their Journey with Mental Illness and the Mutual Benefits of NLA FSG” will be followed by a time of sharing. The public meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Crossings Meeting Room of the Calvin G. and Janet C. High Learning and Wellness Center at Landis Communities, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA. The monthly meetings provide a place for those who have a loved one living with mental illness to learn and share their experiences. For information or to receive a monthly meeting reminder, call 717-381-3599 or email JAlbright@landis.org. Annual Storytelling Night In a celebration of stories that transcend boundaries, Mennonite Life hosts its Annual Storytelling Night on Monday, August 3 at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church (100 Quarry Road, Leola, PA 17540). Throughout the evening, storytellers Felixa V. de Kunkle and Conrad Kanagy will relate a series of alternating short-form anecdotes from their lives. Event is free; donations welcome. More at mennonitelife.org/events. ¿Quieres recibir las Noticias de LMC en Español? ¿Quieres recibir Noticias de LMC en español? ¡Haga clic aquí para registrarse! Suscribirse Copyright © 2026 LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches Our mailing address is: LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches 450 N Prince Street (Office) PO Box 1635 (Mail) Lancaster, PA 17608 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.