Prayer Focus: January 2017
Monday (2nd) – Gerardo Scalante, International Director:
Most of our workers around the world are nationals, less than five percent of them are cross cultural missionaries. Please pray that we will be able to develop the mission side of CLC up to the point that we can prepare and send more missionaries to countries where this sort of work is much needed. Right now there are open opportunities in areas like Africa and Asia.
Tuesday (3rd) – Gary Chamberlin, Europe Regional Director:
The biggest challenge we face is to find stability in our shops across Europe. There has been a notable decline in Christian retail over the past 8 years as many people now increasingly purchase online. The struggle is to maintain a viable shop ministry in the face of lower sales, which makes sustainability more difficult. The result is often a reduction in staff and a search to reduce costs. One major way that we are diversifying our ministry is through publishing, which is having a positive impact. We look to the Lord in hopes that our internet and publishing efforts will grow significantly in 2017.
Wednesday (4th) – Gerardo Scalante, International Director:
Most of the countries where we are working in Latin America are facing difficult economic situations. For example, due to inflation, salaries in Venezuela are very low and an inexpensive version of the Bible from CLC is worth a week’s salary for many people. We thank God for dedicated CLC members who love God and serve people so that they come to faith and maturity in the Lord Jesus Christ. These team mates continue to explore alternative ways to spread Kingdom resources throughout their countries - knowing how they transform lives! Please pray that the economies of these countries will stabilise and that they will be given better access to the foreign currency they require to purchase books from US publishers. Pray also for us to be able to make Christian literature available in these countries at affordable prices.
Thursday (5th) – Romualdo, Macinas, Asia Pacific Regional Director:
We have three main challenges that we are currently facing: communications, financial sustainability and cooperation. As each country in the Asia region has its own language, please pray that God will open our ears and hearts to better understand each other. This will increase our unity allowing us to work together more efficiently for God’s Kingdom and to help each other when there is a need that another can supply. Pray also that each team will regularly communicate with me, especially concerning financial struggles, so that we can develop a clear strategic plan to grow their ministry and make it sustainable.
Friday (6th) – David Almack, North America & Caribbean Regional Director:
Please pray for our CLC bookshops in the Caribbean as they are functioning in islands that have suffered from economic downturns in recent years. One team in particular is still recovering from the effects of a major storm that destroyed infrastructure and roads on the island. Our major goal is for financial stability in 2017 so that we will be able to keep supplying needs for Christian literature. In North America, we desire to impact the culture with Christian books at a time when there many other entertainment options that distract Christians from developing a habit of reading. Another goal is to see many more Christians reading on a regular basis.
The Weekend (7th/8th) – Liz Patten, Africa Regional Director:
Please pray for us, that we will get a renewed understanding of the core values of CLC and how they relate to what we do each day. Also pray that we will be committed and able to work according to the ‘key words’ of the new International Director, particularly with ‘accountability’ and ‘transparency’ in our personal lives and our CLC ministry.
Monday (9th) – Sierra Leone:
Please join us in prayer for a sustainable ministry. We are trusting the Lord for the impossible this year – that we will be debt free before the end of 2017 – because we know that with God all things are possible! We also need His help in supplying the resources that our customers need most as this continues to be one of our greatest challenges. We buy most of our stocks from the USA and UK and we pay for them in foreign currency but we sell in our local currency, the Leones, which currently has been depreciating by the day. Thank you for continuing to remember our ministry in your prayers. ~ Donald John, National Director
Tuesday (10th) – Mexico:
Please pray for our team in Mexico, especially that God would bring more workers with a heart committed to the ministry of CLC. It is a small team with a big heart and an even bigger dream for what the ministry could accomplish in Mexico. ~ Maria del Carmen, National Director
Wednesday (11th) – Canada:
At the time of writing, we filed an application with the Federal Government asking that our distribution arm become a recognized charity. In the event of a rejection, there will be major consequences for the rest of our ministry. Please pray that the authorities will grant our request. ~ Antoine Roberge, National Director
Thursday (12th) – Bolivia:
Pray for growth in our ministry here in Bolivia. We especially need growth in our distribution department and are praying that God will open the doors of more churches, universities and libraries throughout Bolivia. Please pray that God will give us creative ideas on how to draw more people into visiting our bookshop, and find more efficient ways of acquiring our stock so that we are consistent and punctual for our customers. ~ Gamaliel Padilla, National Director
Friday (13th) - Spain:
During 2017, please pray that more local churches and ministries will be open to learning about CLC’s ministry in Spain and around the world. Stronger partnerships with them will enable us to better support each other’s ministries. Our team has had a very difficult time financially during the last few years, but it remains our hope that CLC’s ministry will become well-known and well-loved throughout the country, as we know that the amazing Christian resources we distribute can transform lives! ~ Darwin Vergel, National Director
The Weekend (14th/15th) – Panama:
Thank you God that despite 2016 being a hard year financially, which caused us to reduce our team, He is helping us to overcome the challenges we are facing! Please pray that God will continue to unite and strengthen our team and help us find a warehouse (and offices) in a very central/strategic location in Panama. ~ Sara De Gracia, National Director
Monday (16th) - Indonesia:
A former colleague told us that after leaving CLC, the book that most helped him to understand God’s grace throughout all that had taken place was George Verwer’s book More Drops. After reading it, he was able to see how God had used his time with CLC to build up his faith and life. What a blessing it is to reflect on how God uses the ‘disorder’ in our lives to fulfil His purpose for each one of us. ~ Isaac Zúñiga, National Director
Tuesday (17th) - Chile:
We thank God for Mónica Tapia, the wife of Pastor Marcos Bianchi, who lives in a small town of 13,000 inhabitants called Taltal. For 3 years she has been carrying material to sell in her church, something unthinkable years ago. We are thankful to God for oursister’s motivation to carry out the ministry of literature in her congregation. ~ Isaac Zúñiga, National Director (Photo of Mónica Tapia)
Wednesday (18th) - Central Asia (CA2):
A little while ago a woman came in the store who was completely ‘covered’. This is rare here but what is rareris that although a practicing, conservative Muslim, she was clearly wrestling with questions about faith. She asked our assistant Director if she read the Bible and how often, and was surprised to hear it was read daily and that she didn’t need a school to teach her. She said she thought most Christians weren’t serious about their faith and then started asking about the difference between true Christians and sects. She wanted to buy a Bible but said she’d come back when she had money with her. Our assistant Director saw her again on the street later and told her we’d been praying for her because we could tell she was seeking truth about God. She said she’d be in again soon. ~ The Director, Central Asia (CA2)
Thursday (19th) – Cyprus:
Three years ago, a friend of ours had to leave Cyprus to live with her family in Dublin because she was ill and spiritually drained. Since then, our shop helper has been regularly sending her devotionals and books on ‘Christian Living’. Most recently our helper sent to her some books on the Holy Spirit (from the RHP Essential classics series). Our friend replied this week to say she was thrilled with the books and she plans to read them every day! She especially loved Andrew Murray’s Absolute Surrender. ~ Eva Photiadou, National Director
Friday (20th) – Chile:
Some time ago on a local radio station we reviewed the book, Lead Your Family Like Jesus. There was so much interest in the book and about bringing up your family, ‘the Jesus way’, that we decided to go throughit bit by bit as a series on the radio. The programme now goes out every Friday morning and we are thrilled to report that a great many Christians have grown closer to the Lord as a result. No doubt their family life has benefitted too. ~ Isaac Zúñiga, National Director
The Weekend (21st/22nd) - Chile:
Recently one of our customers bought the book The Passion of God for His Glory by John Piper. He has been enthusiastically sharing his thoughts inspired by this book on Facebook and it is greatly impacting the lives of many as they share their thanks for his posts. We love seeing how Christian literature can transform one man’s life into encouraging so many others! ~ Isaac Zúñiga, National Director
Monday (23rd) – CLC Digital:
The demands of the digital world has meant that CLC has had to adapt to new realities. We currently have over 30 commercial websites around the world, which now account for over 5% of global sales. Many more sites and improvements are planned for this year. The next step is the challenge of eBooks and how CLC can supply these via our network of websites. To this end we have been forming a Digital Team.
Tuesday (24th) – Neil Wardrope, Digital Director:
After stepping down as International Director in June last year, Neil has taken on responsibility for our digital strategy. Please pray for him as he heads up the Digital Team and develops relationships with publishers and suppliers of technology.
Wednesday (25th) - Cristi Cotovan, Webmaster:
Please pray for Cristi as he continually updates and improves our commercial websites, as well as having a significant role in the eBook project. Pray for inspiration and understanding as he deals with the continual development of the possibilities of the digital world.
Thursday (26th) - Patricio Arenas: Chile and Latin America Web Support:
Please pray for Patricio as he supplies support for all the website administrators in seven Latin American countries. He provides training and back up, as well as developing the CLC Chile site.
Friday (27th) - Ivano Cramerotti: Italy & Web Training/Marketing:
Ivano has taken on additional responsibility for training the website administrators in Europe as well as managing the website of CLC Italy. He
is gifted in design and marketing and he will increasingly be sharing that knowledge with others involved in the web project. Photo of Cristi and Ivano
The Weekend (28th/29th) - David Anachkov: Bulgaria Website and eBook Curation
Please pray for David as he manages the CLC Bulgaria website which accounts for around 30% of total CLC sales in the country. In addition he has joined the Digital team to help with the management and integration of the eBooks becoming available on the eBook platform – currently in excess of 5,000 titles.
Monday (30th) - Portugal:
As the only member of CLC Portugal (although he has an amazing support system of volunteers), Carlos Cunha is always on the go! At the time of writing, Carlos has just finished three book tables, each in a different city, at the annual Global Leadership Summits that take place each Friday and Saturday during the month of November. He has one more to do in Porto, but plans to stop in Aveiro to set up a book table
there on his way to the event. Meanwhile, he is trying to get new stock, from three different publishers, all into the computer system so he can take it to the different events and on the shop shelves, all before the rush of Christmas begins. Please pray for Carlos’ health, stamina and family. ~ Amanda Lutes, on behalf of CLC Portugal
Tuesday (31st) – Venezuela:
Due to the on-going serious economic crisis in our country, many Venezuelans have emigrated to other countries in search of a better quality of life. A Christian brother who had previously emigrated to Aruba was recently able to return home for a visit. On his way to Merida he stopped in to visit our bookshop in the city of Maracaibo, where he had been a regular customer. He shared with me what a pleasure it was visit us once again and how much he had missed us. He also said how much he would love for CLC to open a bookshop in Aruba. I hope this story reminds us all that our work is about so much more than selling books - it is about establishing relationships with the people who daily visit us. We are so grateful to God that we are able to see how our ministry makes a mark on the lives of the people we serve each day. Pray for us, that each day we will give the best service we can, and share just the right words and advice with all who visit our bookstores. ~ Yohel Peña