Dear Brother or Sister in Christ,
Thank you for your continual prayers as we strive together, Lord willing, toward our church’s 100th anniversary. As you read this month’s prayer letter, please know that this is written by Pastor Albin and will have an emphasis on our next generation as well as our church family.
Prayer is one of the most impactful ways we can love and reach others. Prayer is direct communication with the Father. Through the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Jesus Christ our Lord the Father hears us. Paul calls us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17) letting our needs be known before God (Phil. 4:6). As you continually pray for our church and the ministries here in Bemidji, would you also join us in praise for the great things He has done.
Praise be to God who has led the youth group these past four and a half years. Praise be to Him who has drawn students to Himself. He has worked through small group discussion times, one on one conversations, lessons, as well as other avenues to strengthen, encourage, teach and admonisher our students. He has allowed me to help guide our youth group through the preaching of His word. All praise goes to Him alone for the lives that have been changed. As I think back on the past years of youth group I am amazed at His faithfulness to our students. All the glory and honor goes to Him.
Praise be to God for the way the young adults have been strengthened and encouraged these past four years as well. Though these past few years have had their ups and downs with our young adult ministry, God has worked through it all. From vespers to life groups, young adults have been equipped and taught by the Word. Praise God for the time that young adults have had to grow together as followers of Jesus.
Hebrews 13:15 says that “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Let us join together and praise Him for what He has done through Jesus. Both in the lives of the students and the young adults here at our church. God is so good.
As we look to the future of youth and young adult ministry here at our church let us pray together for the next pastor. Pray for him as the Lord leads him here. Pray for his situation currently. Whether that situation is at a current church, a break from ministry or coming out of schooling. Pray for any family he may have. Pray for his/their transition to Bemidji. Pray that the students would welcome him in as their new youth pastor and that the young adults would rally behind him as well. I have been praying for this next pastor for a while now. Join with me in prayer that he would have the freedom to lead the youth and young adult ministries how he sees fit in the eyes of the Lord. As he changes a few things and brings new ideas about, pray for our church family to fully support him. God has a special person for this role.
Pray for our search committee. For the group to have discernment for candidates and resumes. Pray for them as they ask questions in interviews and seek important information from the candidates. Pray for strength as they work together to bring someone to the church body. As they seek wisdom from the Lord, join them in prayer for a clear choice for the youth and young adult’s pastor.
Pray for the other open positions to be filled on our church staff. For our 10:45 music director. Pray for the right person to lead our second service into worship. As this person prepares work with our wonderful 10:45 volunteers, pray for their heart to love those who are serving currently and those to come. As we pray for the 10:45 music director let us also pray for the next visitation caregiver. We love our older adults here at our church. They are such a blessing to all of us. Pray for this next visitation coordinator to come quickly in the Lord’s timing. Pray for the staff and others who are visiting and caring for our older adults and those who have a harder time getting to church on Sundays. Pray that this person would be tender and loving, slowing down and caring for our older adults.
There is so much to pray for daily. If I may, can I ask you to pray for my wife and me? We have been so blessed to have served here in Bemidji these past few years. As we follow the Lord’s leading to another area and leave behind friends and an amazing church family, please pray for us as we go into the unknown. We are nervous, excited, sad, thankful and so much more. Our emotions are high in this time of transition. Please pray that we would glorify God with our words and actions as we close one chapter and open another in our lives. Pray that Annelise would have a smooth transition into her new position. As she meets new patients and families, pray that she would be salt and light to all those she meets. I ask for prayer as well as I enter a new church context. Pray that I would bring glory and honor to Him alone. Pray for the students I will interact with next. As I think about my ministry, I pray that those around me see Jesus first. And that though I may be leaving EFC Bemidji, I am going forth to share the gospel, just as in fact I have tried to do here. Please pray for our transition and move as we close on a house on July 12. Pray for wisdom for us as we pursue all that the Lord has for us.
I now pray a special blessing over you. You as the consistent prayer warrior who has prayed hard for our church family. I pray that you would seek Jesus first and that your heart would not grow weary. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. As you pray for the needs and praises of our church, know that the Lord is in all of this. He is directing our paths and He is good. I pray that you and I would allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into prayer. That He would guide our hearts. Though you and I may not have spent a significant amount of time together, I am so thankful for you. Continue to pray without ceasing for He is good and loves to hear our prayers.
Thank you for all the prayers these past few years. I will never forget my church family here in Bemidji. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may He turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Pastor Albin