NIGERIA NEWS UPDATES   PRAYER REQUESTS:  Please read email below and pray for Nigeria

Dear Jim, Praise God for the great things He is doing among the nations.  As we pray and intercede, He will surely do greater things.  There has been some religious crisis in our city here (Jos-Nigeria).  Several churches have been burnt and several Christians, including pastors, killed.  Let’s join hands and pray for peace to reign over Jos City, that the plans of the devil to fight the spread of Christianity in this city would not succeed. Let’s also pray for the consolation and comfort for those who have lost beloved ones, and pray for God’s provision to rebuild the churches that have been burnt down. We are sure good will triumph over evil. Light will prevail over darkness. The gates of Islam will never prevail over the Church in Jesus Name.  It is well. Shalom, Martin & Esther Ighoyivwi Christians Intercessory Network International Greetings Prayer Intercessors and Ministry Friends,

Prayerfully read the below email from a Pastor in Nigeria: Dear Jim, God began to stir my heart towards evangelism about two months ago; I realized that the fire of evangelism had been completely extinguished. Most of the churches around hardly talked about it and we didn't either.  When we asked people to come for evangelism no one was interested, just a handful of people showed up. I was discouraged, but I also realized that it was largely my fault - I wasn't talking about it. It dawned on me that just like most of the pastors around, I had been busy emphasizing every other thing apart from evangelism and missions. In view of getting more enlightened, I began to search for materials, and in the process, I came across your website on the internet. The name of our church is The King's Heritage and we are located in Lagos, Nigeria. The membership is about 200 people, mostly people between the ages of 20-35yrs.  By God's grace we intend to start some school outreach programs next year. Thanks Jim, I look forward to hearing from you.  Pastor Lawrence   What you have just read above is too common in the church today. Most pastors, leaders and churches have lost the fire for evangelism, and as the pastor said above, it is because the senior pastor, the one God has put in charge of the local church, does not talk about it. Read the above pastors words again: But I also realized that it was largely my fault - I wasn't talking about it. It dawned on me that just like most of the pastors around, I had been busy emphasizing every other thing apart from evangelism and missions. If the senior pastor is not on fire for evangelism, the church and its members will never be. The senior minister must take the lead; the senior minister must lead the charge. Saints pray for the church. Pray for every senior minister whether they are called an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher, to take the responsibility to grow a witnessing church. Pray for God to shake all the leaders that are busy emphasizing every other thing apart from evangelism and missions. Pray for God to shake all Christians that are not actively sharing their faith on a daily basis. Pray this even if it hits close to home. Pray that after God shakes them and gets their attention that He would then lead them to the internet to find us, just like He did the above pastor. Pray that we will have the resources to supply help to all that ask. Thanks for your prayers!!  --Evangelist, Jim and Carla Step By Step Ministries, 815 S. Babcock Road, Porter, IN  46304 Phone 219-787-9933 Fax 219-787-8033 www.step-by-step.org jim@step-by-step.org