Georgia
Georgia is southwest of Russia and on the northeastern border of Turkey.
January 9, 2017
Jed and Renee Gourley and their five children moved to Tbilisi, Georgia, (the country, not the State) in August of 2014. They are currently involved in the arduous task of language learning, have begun a Bible study and Sunday services, and are meeting many new people through teaching English.
In a recent update Jed writes: “Last week we hosted a special week of intensive English lessons. It was very well-attended. We had a wonderful mix of energetic college-age kids who were very open to discussions about our existence, purpose in life, and the Gospel. Several of them even stayed for a Bible study after one of the lessons where we went through the first 14 verses of John 1. They have all expressed an interest in continuing our lessons, and we will be going through the Gospel of Mark this year as we teach English.”
The Gourleys are continuing in church-planting work as they have in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, and also are praying about the establishing of a training school for Russian-speaking pastors and leaders who would join in reaching the many unreached people groups of the Caucasus region.
Partner in Prayer
Pray for:
– a spiritual awakening in Georgia
– learning the Georgian language
– open hearts to the Gospel
– other laborers who will join the Gourleys
Partner in Giving
If you would like to partner with the Gourleys in their move or on a continual basis, your tax-deductible financial gifts are greatly appreciated. You can give in one of two ways:
- Electronically by clicking here
- Via check:
Make your checks payable to: SSMFI
and send to:
Jed & Renee Gourley
C/O Shepherd’s Staff Mission Facilitators
6739 Academy Road NE Suite #320
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Kyiv, Ukraine
January 9, 2017George Markey has been serving in Ukraine since 1992; Sharon joined him in 2003 right after they married. Their vision is to plant churches and train nationals as pastors and missionaries. George has been involved in starting four churches in the cities of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Ternopil, and Vinnytsia.
Recently, George and Sharon returned to Kyiv to pastor the church there. A metropolis of some three million people, Kyiv is in need of more churches to be planted. An spiritual openness in the 1990’s was replaced by a materialistic binge as the economy improved. An ongoing, unofficial war with Russian supported forces in the east continues to result in the loss of life and livelihood for many.
In a recent newsletter, George shares a bit about greater opportunities for outreach and ministry given the current crisis in Ukraine with the threat of Russian invasion: “At the beginning of September, my brother Jon and I got back from a three-week tour with the Vertex band. We did 22 concerts in under 3 weeks, and traveled about 4500 km (2800 miles). We had the opportunity to share the hope of God with hundreds of soldiers and refugees. It was a privilege to play for these brave young men who are protecting Ukraine and sobering to know that we were sharing with guys who might not be alive the next day. We are planning more trips with Ukrainian guys from our churches.”
Partner in Prayer
George & Sharon Markey and family
Please pray:
– for Ukrainians to respond to the uncertainty of the current days by repenting and following Jesus
– for the spiritual growth and unity of believers across the country to offer hope in these dark times
– for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the body at Calvary Chapel Kyiv
– for Ukrainian pastors and workers to plant churches in Ukraine and beyond
– for our personal spiritual growth
– for a strong, Christ-centered marriage and wisdom rearing our children
Partner in Giving
- Electronically by clicking here.
- Via check:
Make check payable to:Horizon MissionsAnd mail to:Horizon Christian Fellowship7702 Indian Lake Rd.Indianapolis, IN 46236(Include a separate note, “For George & Sharon Markey.”)
For encouraging and inspirational stories about the joys of being a mommy, check out Sharon’s blog at http://www.mommyjoys.com.
Ternopil, Ukraine
October 24, 2014
In 2008 Jon and Stephanie moved to Ternopil to assist George and Sharon with the new church plant. Jon serves as pastor and worship leader. His vision is to train and raise up leaders for the ministry, musicians and singers for the worship team, as well as to use music as a way to reach out to the people of Ternopil. Jon is a musician and songwriter and has written worship songs both in Ukrainian as well as in English. In a recent update they write:
“The recording of the Ukrainian worship album is going really well. It’s so obvious that this is the Lord’s timing. We’ve wanted to do this for so many years, but we could never get things off the ground. With the instability in the country, this is a perfect time to share these songs. So many of them speak of hope, the power of God, the Gospel. Pray for continued inspiration and wisdom. One of the challenges is that we are doing most of the recording in Ternopil, but many of the singers and musicians are from Kyiv. So organizing schedules and travel is difficult as all of those involved have full-time jobs. Pray for the equipment. A few preamps have broken down. Pray that everything else would continue working properly “
Partner in Prayer
Jon and Stephanie Markey & Family
Please pray
- for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the city of Ternopil;
- for the music ministry of Calvary Chapel Ternopil
- for wisdom in raising our three children, Katie Rose, George and Mira;
- for ministry to Ukrainian and international students;
- for the ministry to the Ukrainian soldiers;
- for the city of Lutsk in Western Ukraine; for a pastor and team to plant a Calvary Chapel there;
- for perseverance for Stephanie as she learns the Ukrainian language;
- that we would continue to grow in our relationship with the Lord, and be strong in Him and in the power of His might.
Partner in Giving
- Electronically by clicking here.
- Via check:
Make check payable to:
Horizon Missions
And mail to:
Horizon Christian Fellowship
7702 Indian Lake Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46236
(Include a separate note, “For Jonathan & Stephanie Markey.”)
Siberia, Russia (Yamal Peninsula)
Yamal translates as “the ends of the earth” and is located in northern Russia
July 28, 2014
David and Deborah Markey have been serving in Siberia since 2012. God has given them a vision to plant churches among the Nenets, an unreached group of nomadic reindeer herders who live on the tundra of northern Siberia. Isolated by their lifestyle and culture, the Nenets have very few missionaries working among them and no churches. In a recent email update they write:
“On Sunday the church here had an open mic time to allow members to share what they have done this summer (many had just returned from trips to see family, etc.). During this time there were accounts of at least 4 people that church members knew who had either drowned (because they were drunk), or who had committed suicide this summer. It was such a strong reminder that the people here in Yamal who do not know Christ are in darkness, without hope, they are dying without the saving knowledge of Christ. We so desperately want to have more opportunities to share the good news with people here.”
Partner in Prayer
David and Deborah Markey and their two children
Recent prayer requests are as follows:
- That this would be a fruitful trip
- That David would make contacts with people for future visits
- For opportunities, and boldness in sharing the gospel
- For the salvation of those that he will come in contact with
Partner in Giving
- Electronically by clicking here.
- Via check:
Make you check payable to:
Horizon Christian Fellowship
And send to:
Horizon Christian Fellowship
7702 Indian Lake Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46236
(Include a note ‘for David & Deborah Markey’).
Iraq (Kurdistan)
[Now serving in a different Middle Eastern location due to violence in Iraq]
Kurdistan is an autonomous region in northeastern Iraq.
July 28, 2014
Having just arrived into northern Iraq 10 days ago, Paul and Melanie Billings and their children have already been involved in a children’s festival and outreach. The Billings family are now calling home the city of Erbil (Arbil), and they are excited about the country, culture, and people. In this predominately Kurdish community, Paul and Melanie are learning the Kurdish and Arabic languages, with the goal of beginning the first Kurdish speaking fellowship of believers in that city. In their update they write:
“It seems that now more than ever we will have opportunity to minister. We are praying that in the midst of so much upheaval peoples hearts will be open to the gospel. A HUGE answer to prayer has been a house that has been made available for us to rent temporarily until we can find a permanent place. There have been some 300,000 refugees that have flooded into Erbil so food prices have spiked and gas is scarce. We have been in communication with several people living there and they have said the security situation remains stable, but the challenge right now is the large amount of refugees.”
Partner in Prayer
Paul and Melanie Billings and their five children
Please be praying for the Billings as they are getting settled. Pray also for:
– a permanent place to live
– schools for their children
– language teachers
– an adequate supply of food and water due to possible shortages.
Partner in Giving
- Electronically by clicking here.
- Via check:
Make you check payable to:
Horizon Christian Fellowship
And send to:
Horizon Christian Fellowship
7702 Indian Lake Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46236
(Include a note ‘for Paul & Melanie Billings’).
Distant Fields 