"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…”

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.

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.

George Verwer: pray for Switzerland

OM founder George Verwer outside the church where Huldrych Zwingli preached at the beginning of the Reformation.

pray for Teenstreet

The Teenstreet conference kicks off this weekend in Germany and runs through August 8. Please pray as young people from all over Europe connect to one another and to the Lord at this gathering. For more information, see the video here:

George in France giving free books to YOU!

OM founder George Verwer in what he says is "almost the oldest Protestant church in the whole of France." Get your free books from George by sending him an email.

Praying for Italy

Let's remember Italy, where Transform 2010 will begin. This is an outreach to the Mediterranean which starts soon with a one-week conference in Rome.  Get prayer points from the Italy Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

Italy has also been in the World Cup this month and we are praying for the participating countries.  Learn more in the Italy World Cup Prayer Guide.

top: men of Torino, Italy
below: the 2010 World Cup Italy squad

Cyprus Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

Let's lift up Cyprus, the island nation in the Mediterranean Sea where teams from Transform 2010 will be ministering this summer.  Read more in the Cyprus Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

England and USA World Cup Prayer Guides

England's 2010 World Cup squad.

We are praying for the countries participating in the World Cup. Please remember OM ministry teams who are in South Africa to meet visitors from all over the world and share the Good News of Jesus. Join us today in praying through the World Cup Prayer Guides for England and the USA.

Team USA 2010.

Croatia Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

Kids in Croatia received children's Bibles from OM team members.

It is the first book written in their language besides the Catholic Catechism.

Pray today for Croatia, a country on the Mediterranean, where OM teams will be serving this summer as part of Transform 2010.  Prayer points are available in the Croatia Transform 2010 Prayer Guide. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Transform 2010 Prayer Guide

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Pray today for Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the Mediterranean countries that will be receiving teams as part of Transform 2010 next month. To get an overview, read the Bosnia and Herzegovina Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.

Local kids received backpacks from the OM team in Bosnia.  

Praying for Greece

Like France, Greece will be the focus of both World Cup outreaches and Transform 2010.  Learn how to pray with the Greece World Cup Prayer Guide (PDF) and the Greece Transform 2010 Prayer Guide (PDF). 




 left: A nomadic family in Greece.
below: The 2010 World Cup Team from Greece.   

Praying for France

 French squad, World Cup 2010

Many French nationals will be in South Africa this month for the World Cup, and OM has an ongoing outreach throughout the tournament there.  OM teams will also be heading to France this summer as part of Transform 2010.  Would you join us today in praying for the people of France?  You can pray through the France World Cup Prayer Guide and the France Transform 2010 Prayer Guide.  Thanks for remembering these two outreaches and the precious French people who will hear about God's kingdom this summer.

A young student in France.

24/7 prayer for Europe until September 26

Last Friday, 24/7 prayer launched a 6-month vigil for Europe. Join with us in prayer:

shoot out in Rome

OM Italy's Matt Gibson invites you to Rome, Italy, where OM will be shooting out teams to all over the Mediterranean this summer.

Are you going to Transform 2010?!

Spend a few weeks in the Mediterranean next with Transform 2010. Here's a video overview:

Bus4Life in Hungary

See what OM Romania is doing through their Bus4Life ministry, a partnership with local churches. You can join the Bus4Life team this summer for a short-term mission trip.

Bus4Life brings hope to Eastern Europe from OM USA Video on Vimeo.

George Verwer on London TV

Tom Chacko, host of the TalkGod TV show in London, is presented with a globe jacket by his longtime friend (and OM founder) George Verwer. Both men urge us to pray for Christian television worldwide.

Sports Camp in Italy

Here's an overview of the Val Pellice Sports Camp in Italy. Want to be a part of sports mission? Check out OM Sportslink.

OM news: Afghanistan needs & Hungary team

Check out the latest stories on omUSA.org: read about positions available in Afghanistan and hear what the Lord did through a dance team in Hungary this summer. Browse the site and find your niche in God's kingdom as you pray, go, and give.