Gospel Life Church
Pointing People to Christ through the Gospel
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Foreign Missions
 
 
Matthew 28:18-20 says, "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
 
 
 
 
 
China
China is an Asian country with explosive economic growth in the past few years. It has a population of 1.3 billion people. The number of Christians is estimated at millions with many underground churches and state-sponsored churches. Pray that our missionaries may continue their work of teaching God's Word and discipling men.

 

 
Eritrea             
Eritrea is an African country that borders the Red Sea. It has an estimated population of 4,909,569 by year 2010. The country is 48% Muslim and 47% Christian. It has been devastated by war and periodic drought for the past 30 years. Pray that our missionaries may be able to return to this country and continue their work of teaching and preaching.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one of the world's oldest nations in the world with the second highest population in Africa of approximately 85 million people. English is the most commonly spoken foreign language. Christians make up 62.8% and Muslims 33.9% of the population. Pray that our missionaries may be able to teach and preach God's Word unhindered.
Haiti
Haiti is a Creole and French-speaking nation on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. It has a population of 8.7 million people with 95% being black and more than 50% being illiterate. In 2003, more than 80% of the population was estimated to be living in poverty. Pray that our missionaries will learn the language and be protected from malaria and the effects of political instability.

 

Japan
Japan is an archipelago of over 3,000 islands and has the world's second largest economy behind the United States. It has the tenth largest population in the world with about 128 million people of which 85-96% identify themselves as Buddhists or Shintoists and only 2.04% professing to be Christian. Pray that our missionaries will be faithful in proclaiming the gospel to a people who may be materially and spiritually complacent.
North Korea
North Korea is run by a military dictatorship and has a population of 24 million people. It has the tightest government control of the media in the world, except for Eritrea and one of the highest instances of human rights violations with the severest persecution of Christians anywhere in the world. Although North Korea is officially atheist, 4.5% are Buddhists and 1.69% are Christians. Pray that our missionaries may make a difference.
Quebec, Canada
Quebec is the second most-populous province located in eastern Canada. It is the only Canadian province with French as its official language. In 2001, 83.4% were Roman Catholic and 4.7% Protestant Christian. Some of the top ethnic groups are 60.2% Canadian, 28.9% French, 5.5% Irish, 4% Italian, and 3.3% English. Pray that our missionaries may be vital witnesses to their communities and that there may be more conversions to Christ.

 

South Korea
South Korea is a fully functioning modern democracy with the 13th largest economy in the world. It has the world's highest scientific literacy and second highest mathematical literacy. It has a population of 49 million of which 29.3% are Christian, 22.8% Buddhist, and 46.5% expressing no religious preference. South Korea sends the second highest number of missionaries around the world. Pray that our missionaries may be able to train and raise up more spiritual leaders.
Suriname
Suriname is located in the northeastern region of South America and is the only Dutch-speaking country in the Western Hemisphere. It has approximately 470,000 people with 37% being Indian, 35.6% Creoles and Maroons, 15% Javanese, and 11% Chinese. It has the highest percentage of Muslims (20%) both in North and South America. Pray for more missionaries and more conversions to Christ, especially among the Creoles and the Maroons.
 
Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by Sudan, on the west by Congo, and on the south by Tanzania. Although forty different languages are currently in use, English and Swahili are the official languages. It has a population of 31 million of which 42% are Protestant Christian, 41.9% Roman Catholic, and 12.1% Muslim. Torture and kidnapping are human rights violations still present in Uganda. Pray that our missionaries may be able to teach bible studies and preach in safety and peace.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia to the east and Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west. It is the second largest country in Europe in terms of land mass. Although Ukrainian is the official language, Russian is still widely spoken. It has a population of 46 million of which only 2.19% are Protestant Christian. The most dominant religions are Eastern Orthodoxy Christianity and the Eastern Greek Catholic Church. Pray that our missionaries may be able to establish a strong, vibrant church and that God may soften the people's hearts.
Uruguay
Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America located in the southeastern region south of Brazil. The overwhelming majority of the people are of European descent (94.5%), 9.1% Black, and 4.5% Native American. It has a population of 3.5 million of which 47.1% are Roman Catholic, 23.2% believe in God but declare no religion, 17.2% are atheist or agnostic, and 11.1% are Protestant Christian. Pray that our missionaries may learn to speak Spanish fluently so that they may share the gospel with the people.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The world flags above represent the countries in which OPC missionaries serve. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, we cannot post their names on the internet. But we ask that you join us in praying that God will use these brave, selfless missionaries to teach and preach the gospel to these peoples in the face of persecution and hardship.
 
There are short-term mission trips available to some of these locations. For more info, contact Pastor John Ro.
 
 
 
 

Church Planting at Home

 

Presbytery of the Midwest

Besides missionaries in foreign countries abroad, the OPC is actively starting new churches in small towns and major cities across the United States. In the Midwest, there are several new churches being cultivated into spiritually, healthy local churches.
 
Pastor Chris Sandoval is starting a Spanish-speaking church in Cicero, IL.
Pastor Jim Hoekstra is developing Mercy OPC in Cedarsburg, WI.
Pastor John Hilbelink is leading Providence OPC in Rockford, IL.
Pastor Lendall Smith is cultivating Redeemer OPC in DeKalb, IL.
Pastor Mark Jenkins is developing Providence OPC in Madison, WI.
 
Dan Sullivan and Tom Shenberger are leading Christ Covenant OPC in Crystal Lake, IL.
 
 
 

 

State of Illinois and City of Chicago

Pray for Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Richard Daley - that God may give them wisdom and intelligence to govern and take care of the citizens of Illinois and Chicago.
 
Pray that God may give the Illinois state senators wisdom and guidance in leading Illinois out of the current economic crisis.
 
Pray for the thousands of people who are facing foreclosure and loss of jobs in the midst of this severe economic downturn.
 
 

 

Gospel Life in Chicago

Pray that God may use the members of Gospel Life to lead their family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to Christ.
 
Pray that we may demonstrate our identity as citizens of heaven by gathering together every Sunday to joyfully worship and praise our Father in heaven.
 
Pray that we may show active compassion to those who need help.
 
Pray that our outreach to different college campuses may bear fruit.