Great Plains Region Briefing
Andrew Petro, Regional Director
Wading in the Mire
“I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” (Ps. 38:18)
When I was a boy, the neighborhood kids and I discovered, not too far from our house, a noxious swamp that we called “Razzers.” How it got its name, I can’t say. I’m sure my mother would have been horrified to learn how frequently we played there. For her, polio was still a living memory. She had learned, not only to detest, but to positively fear, dirty water. In her own childhood it had all too often proved to carry the crippling poliomyelitis virus.
Ah, but we had taken Salk’s seemingly miraculous polio vaccine in a sugar cube! We played in ignorant bliss, with the modern medicine benignly watching over us.
Why we enjoyed the swamp so, I don’t rightly recall. I remember my brother and I making rafts and pretending to be voyaging with Sinbad the Sailor. For whatever reason, however, “Razzers” was one of our favorite haunts.
As an adult, I have come to see something metaphoric in our youthful fascination with swamp water. As I grew, I may have lost my desire to splash around in literal mires, but I found other equally unsavory places in which to befoul myself. In time, like everyone else, I learned to hear and heed the siren song of sin.
Today, I wouldn’t contemplate splashing around in a swamp. It’s not the fear of polio that dissuades me, either; it’s the thought of snakes, snapping turtles, and slime. But I wonder, with all my adult distaste for muck and mire, if I have yet acquired a similar aversion to sin. Do I sufficiently fear iniquity’s infectious qualities?
If my memory serves me well, it wasn’t fear that finally kept me from the muddy shores of “Razzers.” Rather, it was a newfound passion for other things—namely baseball and books. I found I would much rather play a pickup game of baseball (however badly) and read (just about anything I could get my hands on, frankly) than splash around in filthy water.
There’s a spiritual principle here, I think: The best antidote for sin is always a greater affection for something else. Indeed, the best antidote for sin is a greater affection for someone else—namely the Lord Jesus Christ. If we would but cultivate an intimate relationship with him, we might find our fascination with sin—if not vanishing entirely—at least fading a bit more into the background of our lives.
-- Pastor Andy
-Andy
Camp registration changes June 1
Family Camp
One week until registration opens for Family Camp! If you plan to stay the whole week you can register June 1. Registration as usual opens June 2.
Dr. Hubert Harriman former CEO/President of World Gospel Mission will be with us for the week to share. Please consider joining us for the week or even a few days.
Receive the Briefing
Please share with your churches that those who would like to receive these bi-weekly briefings can sign-up by going to the Region's website under the "Our Newsletter" tab.
Timber Lakes Website Change
Timber Lakes has a new web address. Please use the following if you need to access their website moving forward. https://www.timberlakeskansas.org/
STAFF OPENINGS IN THE GREAT PLAINS REGION
Hope Missionary Church-Clatonia, NE
Clatonia is currently looking for a co-vocational pastor to lead a restart/revitalization of a recently adopted UMC congregation. To visit their website go here.
Applications can be send to Andy Petro.
Northwind Church, Keewatin, MN
Northwind Church is looking for a Lead Pastor/Bi-vocational of a three year old church plant in Northern MN. To visit their website go here.
Please send resume to Tim Maki.
Regional Prayer Focus
1. Members of the new finance team would be clear.
2. Pastoral Cohorts would form and deeper connections would be made.
3. Complete the adoption of incoming churches.
4. The development and implementation of an internship program to develop young leaders.
5. Pray for disciples to be made and disciple-making communities & churches to be formed in North Dakota.
National Prayer Focus
MAY PRAYER FOCUS — MAKING DISCIPLES
PERSONAL REFLECTION — LOVE ONE ANOTHER: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
- Since we are known as disciples of Jesus by our love for one another, are there people in your fellowship you have difficulty loving? Pray God’s blessing on them.
- Pray the Lord will remove any barriers in you that would keep you from loving others in your fellowship.
- Ask the Lord to forgive you for any times you had opportunity to show the love of Jesus, but you resisted.
- Ask the Lord to show you how to love as He loves.
Specific Prayer Needs
*We want to join you in prayers of rejoicing and need. Please send any requests to greatplainsregion.mc@gmail.com or text +1-844-463-7808 to have items included here.
Andrew Petro, Regional Director
Email: greatplainsregion.mc@gmail.com
Website: greatplainsregion.org
Phone: (402) 840-5056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midwest-District-of-the-Missionary-Church-152079684836953
Regional Director of the Great Plains Region, Missionary Church