ShipShots: Keeping it Safe

New crew members joining the OM ship Logos Hope receive crucial safety training.   

Climbing for freedom

OM team member Lori Degler is interviewed by a reporter in South Florida on the upcoming Freedom Climb in January, an event to raise funds and awareness for OM justice issues.  You can learn more at the Freedom Climb website. (NOTE: the video below begins with an ad.)

Tonight: Islam's Night of Power

Tonight Muslims honor Mohammed's reception of the Qur'an during what is called the Night of Power. It is a time to perform rituals but more importantly, make special requests of God. The Muslim's requests would be no different than anyone else's: prayers for provision, for safety, for families. But normally, Muslims do not go directly to God with these requests. This is a special night, a time of openness and seeking God's Power.

Please pray for Muslims tonight, that they would hear the voice of Jesus. Pray many would have dreams of Him and be drawn to learn more about Him in the Bible. Pray for believers who will be among Muslims tonight. Pray they will have opportunities to pray to Jesus with Muslim friends and colleagues. Pray for God's power to touch the Muslim world -- tonight, and for years to come.

VIDEO: George on The 700 Club

OM Founder George Verwer is interviewed on The 700 Club.

Prayer Shorts: A Church in the Desert

A video introduction to praying for the Arabian Peninsula.

"Just be."

A Roma (gypsy) child in Europe.

"About six months ago, I stood at the back of a chapel listening to a young man who is giving his life to serve God in missions,” said Melissa, a U.S. high school teacher. 

“He was challenging the high schoolers I work with to think about God's love propelling them to tell others. At least I think that is what he was talking about. It was hard to focus as God was having His own conversation with me. I heard God clearly speak to my heart that morning, ‘It's time to go.’ I had been waiting for those words for several years.”  As a missionary kid, Melissa’s heart had long been to be a full-time missionary. Since graduating from college six years ago, she has regularly asked God whether it was time to go. The answer has always been, “Not now, not for a while.” 

“I was shocked when I heard God’s summons to go that morning,” Melissa continued. “I was to go on a short-trip to the Roma gypsies this summer. When I asked Him what I was to do there, He answered that it wasn't about doing anything. ‘Just be,’ He said. I was so excited about this news. During my senior year of college, I had written a paper about the Roma people and had been praying for them ever since. So now it was time to go. I found OM's website advertising short-term trips for 2011 on Google. They had a trip going to Romania to work with the Roma people. When I read the tag line for it, I almost fell out of my seat, ‘Our goal is to just BE for the Roma people.’ Those were the exact words God had given me for the trip. The rest is history…”

ShipShots: Preparing the Way

It's a hectic job managing logistics for a Logos Hope visit.  Here, the Advance Preparation Team lines up details for the ship's time in Abu Dhabi. 

Creative ministry ideas at TeenStreet

As part of the TeenStreet conference in Germany this year, 2,000 teens hit the streets with:

Teens wait as a local man fills out a postcard; postage was paid by TeenStreet.

• drama
• music
• street dancing
• face-painting
• nail painting
• chatrooms
• prayer walking
• handing out roses 
• free postcards 

In partnership with the city of Offenburg, an attempt was even made to beat the record for Germany’s longest coffee table.  TeenStreet served 625 tables with coffee and cake provided by a local bakery and many encouraging conversations were started.

“We want Christians to be involved in society, making an impact by serving, being an example and sharing the love of God in practical ways," said Clarion Samuels of OM Germany, "Young people play a big part in changing society with the love of God.”

The City of Offenburg was so impressed by the event that they invited TeenStreet back to the city  for two more nights. It was not the world record that impressed the officials.  Clarion says, “They were impressed by the discipline and love the teenagers shared with other people and how they served the city. Through the teenagers of TeenStreet, locals have come to view teenagers in a new way.”

You can participate in creative ministries on a short-term mission trip.  See creative trips available here.

VIDEO: George waves to Logos Hope

OM founder George Verwer waves to crewmembers as Logos Hope leaves Dubai. Stay tuned as the ship pulls away to learn how to get a free book, to catch a glimpse of the world's tallest building, and to learn of a crucial need aboard the ship.

Prayer Shorts: Psalm 65:9-12

A scripture to pray over the Arabian Peninsula, Psalm 65:9-12 from the New Living Translation:

You take care of the earth and water it,
making it rich and fertile.

The river of God has plenty of water;
it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for You have ordered it so.

You drench the plowed ground with rain,
melting the clods and leveling the ridges.

You soften the earth with showers,
and bless its abundant crops.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.

The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture,
and the hillsides blossom with joy.

Psalm 65:9-12

Norway: Be anxious for nothing

An OM team member in Norway writes: 

"On July 22, Norway was shocked by a terrorist attack in the capital city of Oslo, where 77 people were killed. Slowly we have understood the extent of this catastrophe, and there have been strong reactions. Fear, anger, disbelief and shock are some of the expressions we see in the face of this unspeakable tragedy. In these difficult times, many are visiting churches and congregations to be closer to God, for fellowship and comfort. Many people have questions about life and death.

"The reactions of the Norwegian people in the days after the disaster show that the terror attack had a completely different effect than was intended. The terrorist failed in his attempt. When thousands of people go into the streets and stand united for peace and reconciliation, it shows clearly that good is much stronger than the evil that tries to destroy. The disaster has not only united our nation, but has put souls on fire. Never before have entire streets in Oslo been closed because of flowers. About 40,000 were expected to join the parade in memory of the victims, but close to 200,000 came. When so many stand together, we show the world that we are not afraid and we are not angry. "Sickness and death, terror and pain are a part of life. But for all those who follow Jesus, we are not alone.

Philippians 4:6 says, 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus' (NKJV). "We do not respond evil for evil, but we fight evil with good. And this is also our prayer for the church, that with this love that God has shown us, we will win. Our thoughts go to all those affected and those who have lost someone in this tragedy. We pray for the Norwegian people and want to stand with them in every way."

Please join OM in prayer for the people of Norway.

ShipShots: Clean Ship

Behind the scenes of the OM ship Logos Hope with the Hotel Services Department, or "Angels" as they are known on board.  Their team keeps the ship clean.

 

VIDEO: Outreach at Transform 2011

Scenes from street outreach in Rome, Italy during Transform 2011. (Note OM founder George Verwer in his globe jacket beginning at 1:10.)

Be one of the first to learn about Transform 2012 by subscribing to the Transform blog. You could be in Rome next year along with your church or school group. And pray for teams still ministering throughout the Mediterranean right now.

Pilot helps pilot music ministry

Audiophile Chuck Oakley told his worship pastor,  “I know God has more for me than just being the resident recording engineer capturing the latest high school concert!” 

On that day 12 years ago, Chuck’s pastor said, “Call Frank Fortunato at OM. He just bought some recording equipment similar to what you use. See if he has anything to say.”  

Fortunato needed to return to Central Asia and deliver recording equipment to underground Christian musicians there. Without hesitation, Chuck offered to go in his place. He went and upon his return, Chuck Oakley helped Fortunato found Heart Sounds International, an OM partner ministry that empowers believers to create and record indigenous worship music.

Since then, Chuck has completed audio and video projects in several countries.  A Delta pilot by day, he still makes time to help direct Heart Sounds, allowing Fortunato to complete his doctoral work.  Chuck is an innovative leader actively building the Heart Sounds team.

Would you like to join him?  You can step out from behind your church sound board and become a field recording engineer through a two-week project.  These projects occasionally call for videographers and worship leaders.  Musicians can teach a workshop or host a songwriting event for local churches.  Learn more by telling Heart Sounds your interests and passions on their preliminary application.