PRAY FOR LAURA!

Without a doubt, one of the greatest privileges and one of the most awesome responsibilities that God can entrust to a local congregation is to be the sending church for a missionary. Biblically speaking, it is a more intimate fulfillment of the Great Comission. It is one thing to give your mission dollars; it is more difficult to give your children. Nevertheless, that ought to be the goal of every church.

This week we have the honor of sending another one of our church family to the mission field. Laura Machado will be leaving for Turin, Italy on Wednesday, August 19. Laura is a product of our church, having come to Christ through this ministry. She is a 2001 graduate of Dade Christian School and also a graduate of Moody Bible Institute.

As a missionary with AVANT ministries, Laura will be working with a team of nine other missionaries to reach the city of Turin with the Gospel. Less than 2% of the city of Turin claim to be evangelical Christians. Additionally, it is one of the leading centers for Satanic worship in the world today. Yes, Turin is a city that desperately needs the Gospel!

Sunday, we had the privilege of praying for Laura and then joyfully releasing her to fulfill God's will for her life. That's exactly what the Church of Antioch did with Paul and Barnabbas. Acts 13:4 states, "Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on then, they sent them away."

Let me encourage you to pray for Laura in the weeks and months to come. Believe me, she will really need our prayers. Here are several practical ways that you can pray for Laura and her ministry to Italy...

1. Pray that she would adapt quickly to the culture and learn the language.

2. Pray that God would protect her.

3. Pray that God would provide the remainder of her support.

4. Pray that God would bond her heart with her teammates.

5. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the people of Turin.