Resurrection Day in Punjab

Our brothers and sisters in Pakistan observed the Lenten season with prayer meetings and fasting. Throughout that time, Mehboob, Irfan, and Abraham taught about the significance of the observances of the days leading up to last Sunday's celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

The teaching, primarily from the Gospel of Mark, included The Last Supper, events of Good Friday, and finally, Resurrection Day.

These pictures show meetings this past week in Daska and Banawala. These areas and DhamoKay (not pictured) are cities where the Reach the Nations Punjab team members visit regularly, preaching on Sundays, teaching and leading in prayer meetings during the week, and visiting with attendees who need personal counseling or who are interested in knowing more about Jesus and the Christian faith. Please pray for this team and the people they are reaching.

And please pray for the literacy class which continues to meet several times a week in Daska under the teaching of Rehana. These students are working hard to master the Urdu alphabet and vocabulary and some are beginning to be able to read verses from the Bible. They are all grateful for this opportunity to learn.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3

Planting Seeds in Sanghar

Shahzaib and his wife, Anita, are reaching out to new villages. Here Anita is teaching the story of David and Goliath to these attentive children and to some of their mothers.

And here Shahzaib is teaching truths from God's Word to these curious listeners.

The church in Sanghar was originally started by Shahzaib and it continues to grow. Here Shahzaib teaches some from that church who have gathered for a prayer meeting.

Prayer is a very important part of the ministry for Shahzaib and Anita. Above and below you will see them praying for two in their congregation who have asked for healing.

Shahzaib and Anita are burdened about those in the Sanghar area who have had not opportunity to learn to read. Anita is seeking training from the St. Thomas Foundation in Lahore so she can be qualified to teach basic reading, writing, and math skills to those who are eager to learn. Please pray for her as she and Shahzaib pursue this path and seek to offer a literacy program through their church.

And pray, as well, for the new areas where they are reaching people who have never heard or understood the truth about Jesus and his sacrifice of love for them.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” - Philippians 4:6-7

One Message. Many Places.

Rustam and Shakeel have been foundational to the church planting work in Sindh. Rustam lives in the Kumb area near Khairpur and he pastors a Reach the Nations church there and engages in various types of outreach with Shakeel. Here the men are discussing recent Bible studies with RTN and planning for visiting some new outreach areas.

Here Rustam is preaching in the village of Pir Bhudro. He is sharing stories and teaching from the book of Mark.

Shakeel is conversing with Naroo and Sheraz, two Christian brothers who are working with him in ministry as he serves as a mentor to both of them.

Though Sheraz has been a believer for some time, he had never been baptized. Recently he realized the need to be obedient to God in this matter, and Shakeel had the privilege of baptizing him. We are thankful for his response to God's command and also for his passion for preaching and teaching the Word of God.

"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." - Hebrews 13:15