It is wonderful to be back home after a very fruitful trip to visit with our IMB missionaries who are working in Europe. Thank you, church, for your prayers and for your steadfast support of our gospel workers!  

The event Melissa and I got to be a part of was attended by team leaders from various European countries, and by singles and couples who have been on the field six months or less.  IMB does such a wonderful job of acclimating and supporting new missionaries, and this event was part of helping them process all the new things they are experiencing in adjusting to cross-cultural living, as well as an opportunity for experienced team leaders to get together for training and dialogue.  We were able to meet so many faithful missionaries and their children, talk with them, build relationships, and encourage.  I also got to encourage hearts through preaching God’s Word at the event.  It was a unique opportunity, and we are grateful for being a part of it, and grateful for your support.  

This Sunday we’ll begin a new Sunday morning series called Communion with the Living God.  Throughout the remainder of the summer, we are going to dig into the prayers of the Apostle Paul – the places in his letters where he stops and prays for the churches.  We’ll gain insights that will help us tremendously in our own prayer lives.  This Sunday, we’ll be in Colossians 1:3-14.  The message will be “We Haven’t Stopped Praying For You.”  This is such a beautiful and challenging prayer.  Read over it, pray over it, and make it your own prayer in preparation for this Sunday. 

Remember to pray for our mission team in France this week.  We have already seen great answered prayer there, as the unrest that France was experiencing the few days before they left has calmed, and our team has been able to engage with people freely!   

Pray also for our students at Fuge this week, that the Spirit will touch hearts and change lives, as our students and leaders learn, serve, and worship.   

I’m super excited to be back with you this Sunday!  Through international missions, our church has a global reach, and I am thankful to be able to travel and be a part of that as an IMB Trustee.  But I love being with you, worshiping with you, and can’t wait to see you on Sunday...with a Bible in my hand.   

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations, 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.