For centuries, the faithful Church has prayed,
Almighty God, look mercifully
upon the world which thou hast redeemed by the blood of thy dear Son, and
incline the hearts of many to dedicate themselves to the sacred Ministry of thy
Church; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Book of Common Prayer 1928).
Insofar as mission is an integral part of the Church’s
ministry to our broken, ignorant, hurting, gospel-needing world, God has given
a personal answer to that prayer through two friends of ours.
Our dear brother and sister in Christ, Gehrig
and Ronda Dove, have answered the Lord’s call to serve him in Africa through
the powerful and faithful ministry of the Rafiki Foundation. Rafiki is a unique missional organization,
which truly seeks to give flesh and bone to St. James’ description of “pure
religion,” which is to “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction”
(1:27).
The mission of the
Rafiki Foundation is to help Africans know God by caring for and educating
orphans, providing materials and training in education and Bible study, and
giving economic opportunities to widows.
The Doves are currently preparing to leave their home in
Lexington, Virginia for Nigeria by April 20, if passports and other logistical
needs come through. I know there is
still much demanding their attention on the home front. So, I would challenge you to support these
two in the good work on which they are embarking for Christ’s namesake. Please pray for them. You can better know how to pray by reading
their current newsletters and adding your name to their newsletter updates
through email. I would also challenge
you to consider offering the Doves financial
support . There are a number of
uncertainties before the Doves, but one thing is not: they are palpably aware
of their utter dependence upon God’s mercy, grace, and blessings for each day
and those ahead.
So, just know, “beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in
all your efforts for these brethren, strangers as they are...You will do well
to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name...Therefore
we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the
truth” (3 Jn. 5—8).
O LORD, our heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son came not to be ministered unto, but to minister; We beseech thee
to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of
their fellow men. Endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage to strengthen
the weak and raise up those who fall; that, being inspired by thy love, they may
worthily minister in thy Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy;
for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, the same thy Son, our
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen (BCP 1928).
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