Mission Network NEws (press release), Grand Rapids
May 11 2007
Evangelist launches initiatives and tools for Armenian church
Armenia (MNN) — Evangelist Sammy Tippit is in Armenia to launch a
training series among the Armenian believers.
Given the context, there are some security concerns, but he says the
materials will also be helpful for the church in the nearby Islamic
republics. "We’re going to release an initiative: ‘Praying For Your
Family,’ which we have done in Brazil, here in the United States,
Iran and other places. I’m going to be speaking to pastors and
leaders from around the country about ‘Praying For Your Family.’"
STM is in partnership with "The Brotherhood," a renewal movement
within the Apostolic (Orthodox) Church of Armenia. This group will be
running the grassroots part of the program. (They’ve previously
published two of Tippit’s books, The Prayer Factor and Fire in Your
Heart.)
The goal with this initiative is to try to help people learn how to
pray effectively and Biblically for their families.
Many are responding to the Gospel throughout the region, and that’s
why Christian leaders have asked STM to provide leadership training.
They desperately need people to lead small Bible study groups. This
training could play a role in one of the most strategic times of
training leaders in the Islamic world.
Tippit says, "I believe that this will result in many family members
coming to Christ and many families growing closer to one another.
That will be the first thing that we will do."
Then he’s speaking to a conference of church leaders about "8 truths
to live or die by," a topic that’s recently been close to his heart.
"I have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Of course, anytime
you get that kind of a diagnosis, it causes you to reflect deeply on
the things which are really important. So I just thought it would be
appropriate at this time to speak about the things that are the most
important in ministry."
The Armenia trip will be his last overseas before his prostate cancer
surgery. Tippit explains, in his blog, that his schedule remains
busy right up until his surgery is scheduled. "I will also speak at
the Global Day of Prayer in San Antonio, Texas, at the end of May. I
preach in June in Florida and also at the Sunday morning worship
service at the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio. Then we
launch Praying for Your Family in Canada right before I have my
surgery."
He plans on recuperating for two months before getting back into the
"swing of things." Pray that the surgery goes well and that Tippit
heals quickly. Pray, too, that Tex will continue to experience the
peace of God.