Hospitality Issues I know how controversial issues surrounding refugees are in the States. Believe me, the U.S. is not the only country that has hospitality issues with refugees. But I would encourage you to reach out to any refugees you may know or see around you. Even just a smile (I know, hard to see through a mask if you’re wearing one) or a hello at the grocery store is a step in the right direction of hospitality and dignity to people who often feel unnoticed. Your smile and warmth affirm that they are as you, created in the image of our God who sees them. College Church has a ministry to refugees, and I encourage you to explore that ministry. Get to know these people of different cultures and I guarantee that you will be blessed. I know they will be blessed by you as you are Christ to them; possibly the only Christ they have ever seen. As you pray about your involvement with refugees, also pray for Dignity in Prague. Pray that Christ and his kingdom would be proclaimed, and many would turn to him. One specific request is for a former Dignity House guest, a Muslim woman from Somalia. She took an opportunity to flee Somalia, forcing her to leave her nine children and her husband behind. Her journey has been a very difficult one. Though she has status to be here, her wages do not support her family, making it impossible for her to have her family
legally join her. About a month ago, her husband was shot and hospitalized in Somalia. The Czech Republic now is willing to acknowledge the threat to her family members’ lives and are willing to grant them all asylum if they can get here. Dignity was asked to act as a guarantor for the family. By faith Dignity is accepting this task. There are many miracles that need to happen before the husband and children arrive and there will be many more needed after they arrive. Dignity will have to figure out ways to help this family become functional in this culture and financially independent. Until then we are praying for the safety of the four oldest girls (ages 10-14) who are in danger of being taken into slavery. We are praying for the miracle of safe passage out of Somalia. We are praying for housing and for jobs. But mostly, we are praying that this family would see Jesus, know him as Christ and walk in his ways for his glory and their good. And we are prayerfully wondering what God wants us to do to help the 152 Afghans who have just been given permission to stay in country. We are blessed beyond measure knowing that we have people kneeling with us in prayer and support. Thank you for being part of God’s work as you are faithful to him where you live and as you pray with and for us.
PRAYER GATHERINGS ONLINE & IN PERSON Call the church office or email info@college-church.org for details on these prayer meetings. Sunday Morning Prayer 8-8:40 a.m. in C101 Monday Morning Prayer 6:15-7:15 a.m. in C104A Wednesday Night Prayer (Hybrid) 7-8 p.m. Led by the Missions Office • October 6 Speaker Jonathan Harris • October 13 Speaker Greg and Debby Nichols • October 20 Speaker Jeff Dusek • October 27 Speaker Tim and Deanna Smith Friday Lunchtime Prayer for the Persecuted Church (In person) 12-1 p.m. in the board room.
Hannah Prayer Fellowship will meet on Wednesday, October 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the Commons C104E. Holly Greeson will be sharing with us. Holly and Joe serve in Alaska where they provide member care to isolated missionaries who live in small Alaskan villages.
Dorcas Prayer Fellowship will meet Wednesday, October 20, at 1:30 p.m. in the Learning Center at Covenant Living at Windsor Park. The speaker is to be determined.
Aaron-Hur Prayer Fellowship will meet on Thursday, October 28, at 7 p.m. at the home of Everett and Marcelyn Peterson, 127 Westminster Drive in Carol Stream (630) 784-0569. Our guests will be John and Clara, serving in Asia. Our Prayer Pulse email goes out every Monday. You can get prayer updates via that email. Sign up by clicking "Enews signup" on our website. If you already receive other emails from College Church, click "manage my preferences" at the bottom of any email and select Prayer Pulse to add yourself.
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