Urgent Prayer Request

Dear Crosswalkers,

Five years ago Angel and Malia Hernandez, from our church family, were commissioned as missionaries by Grace Covenant, a mission sending agency.  At their commissioning there were other missionaries from the Grace Covenant family, including Pastor Oseme from Haiti.  He struck me as a very spiritual man who had a heart for his fellow Haitians and who was dedicated to hearing the Lord’s word and boldly yet humbly passing that word on to others.  He was unharmed by the earthquake, even though his neighbors on both sides lost their homes and their children.

Today I received this word from Grace Covenant of an urgent prayer need.  I will print it in full:

Pastor Oseme of Haiti went into Port Au Prince (earlier today) to meet with the American Consulate.  While he was there he was kidnapped.  He is now being held for ransom.  Unless $1500 US is paid in ransom by tomorrow, Pastor Oseme will be killed.  It would appear that the logic here is that being Pastor Oseme went to the American Consulate that he has contacts in the US who would pay.  Otherwise, Haitians would not kidnap another Haitian.  Pastor Raquens and I agreed that right now we need to bathe the situation in prayer and pray for his release.  Remember Peter was released from prison by the power of prayer.  If the Lord shows us something else to do we will do it.  But for now we need to generate as much prayer toward Pastor Oseme, his captors and his family as possible.  We will give updates as we get them.  Please seriously pray and get the word out to other intercessors at this hour.

As you get this email, please take a few moments and lift this brother in your prayers.  I remember full well when my family were missionaries to Ghana, Leanna and I signed a form saying we understand that no ransom will ever be paid for us in the event of our kidnapping.  This is standard operating procedure for most all mission agencies.  Obviously, the payment of any ransom would be self defeating as it would endanger missionaries around the globe.  Besides, the theological basis for mission life is this:  Jesus Christ has already given his life as a ransom for those who love him.  This is our faith, and we must live it out during these dark days.  Please pray for Pastor Oseme.  We are engaged in spiritual warfare and our missionaries are on the front lines.

This Sunday we will look at Core Value #4 – VISIONARY LEADERSHIP.  God wants you to have a vision for your life, for your family, for your church, and for using your time, talents and treasures for his glory!  Please plan to stay for lunch at noon, followed by our Annual Meeting.

Love in Jesus,

Pastor John