Spring Week of Prayer:

Owning the Mission

Owning the Mission

April 27 – May 1, 2026

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
 
Greetings, brothers and sisters. And welcome to our Week of Prayer! This week our prayers will center on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), focusing on Jesus’ command to “make disciples of all nations.”

The plan is pretty simple: we’ll be praying for our ministry and missionary partners using sections from the Mission Update booklet that were available on Sunday (copies are available at the Connect Desk if you need one). We’ll progress from local to global, following the pattern Jesus prescribed when he commanded his first disciples to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
 
The Great Commission starts in our own backyard. We’re called to be disciples who make disciples locally, and “observing all that Jesus commanded” includes demonstrating, declaring, and advancing his kingdom among our neighbors and friends. There are many ways we can do this, but we’ll spend days 2 and 3 focusing specifically on the local ministries who labor with us towards that end.
 
The Great Commission extends much farther, however. We’re called to be disciples who make disciples of all nations (i.e. all “people groups”). Of the world’s 17,000+ people groups, over 10,000 are considered unengaged, unreached, or unevangelized (we’ll explain those terms later).  Those are daunting statistics, but we serve the One with all authority in heaven and on earth! We’re not called to do everything, but we must be faithful to do our part. We’re leaning in, and we’ll spend days 4 and 5 praying for the missionaries and ministries we partner with on that front.
 
But what about day 1? If you noticed it was missing, that was to get your attention. We’ll actually spend day 1 praying for ourselves! That’s not because we want to put ourselves first (we learned to not do that in Kindergarten), but because we want to be faithful.

Our theme is “Owning the Mission,” because there’s a difference between doing tasks for someone else’s purpose and living for a purpose that has become your own. Let’s ask God to work, through his word and our prayers, to plant and grow his mission in our hearts.

Thursday

REACHING THE NATIONS LOCALLY

At the beginning of John chapter 4, Jesus and his disciples left Judea and departed for Galilee. And we’re told that “he had to pass through Samaria.” (John 4:4). Now that was not strictly true; there was another route. Devout Jews often crossed over the Jordan and traveled down the east side in order to avoid Samaria, because the Samaritans were different. They were “foreigners” to the pure-blooded inhabitants of first-century Palestine, having intermarried with gentiles following the Assyrian conquest and exile of the northern tribes many years before. 

But therein lay Jesus’ “need” to travel through Samaria. The necessity was one of mission, not geography. This people group, which Jesus’ countrymen rejected as outsiders to God’s kingdom, was about to be visited by the King himself. And as result, an entire town would come to know the “Savior of the world” (John 4:42).

Fast forward 2,000 years (and shift west by about 6,000 miles) and we find ourselves in Gaithersburg, MD in the year 2026. Our town, and neighboring municipalities in Montgomery County, repeatedly top the charts for most diverse cities in the US (see, for example, Most Diverse Cities - 2026)! This is astounding! Not only are these people who God loves; they are – many of them – people from people groups that are yet unreached. We shouldn’t need a special prompting from Jesus to open our eyes and see that “the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35). 

Thankfully, we have opened our eyes. We are actively partnering with local missionaries and ministries who are reaching the unreached in our own backyard (and using backyard resources to reach other parts of the world). We are serving and meeting practical needs while also offering the living water of Christ that wells up to eternal life (John 4:10-14). Please pray for the ministries below, and consider joining in their work as well. 

Christar: Steve & Kathi

The Amars (CLC members) minister Christ’s love to the thousands of Persian speakers from Iran and Afghanistan in the Washington, DC area. As Persian Focus Group leaders, their ministry includes a Farsi-language church, discipleship, two ESOL programs, refugee helps, and equipping local churches to engage the nations with the Gospel. They share Christ with all who will hear, that those who meet their Savior will proclaim his name too.

Praise God for:

• God growing our Farsi church. We now have 10 Believers and 12 others who are close to salvation.

• Men and women being discipled, sharing their faith with others, and leading them to Christ.

Please pray for:

• God’s wisdom on how to utilize the three ESOL programs best to grow His Kingdom.

• Believers to share their faith more.

• All those we interact with to turn to Christ.

• More to be saved.

• God to provide the finances we need to continue His calling.

Global Gates: M&T

Global Gates reaches people who have moved from parts of the world with minimal gospel witness to parts of the world where gospel witness is more accessible. As Strategy Coordinators for Persian speakers, M & T reach out to immigrant communities, while also encouraging and equipping other believers to do the same. 

Praise God for:

• Two Central Asian Muslim-background believers leading relatives to the Lord and sharing Bible stories back home.

• T’s conducting Bible studies with Persian ladies who share gospel stories with their husbands.

• Connections made with Iranians in several large cities.

• Mobilization occurring through in-field training.

Please pray for:

• The Holy Spirit to confirm the gospel with signs and wonders.

• Those entrenched in Islam or the American Dream to have dreams and visions of Jesus.

• God to protect/grow our walks with Jesus and our marriage.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Since 2013, CLC has sponsored free ESOL classes at South Lake Elementary School in Gaithersburg. Volunteers from CLC and other local churches have taught English to more than 1400 of our international neighbors. We have six classes with over 100 students that meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings for three nine-week terms each year. We also have a Joy Club for students’ children to be cared for during English class. 

Praise God for:

• Successful English learning that allows students to thrive.

• Ongoing opportunities to demonstrate and share Jesus’ love.

• Favor with the school and community.

Please pray for:

• More volunteers to teach and provide childcare.

• God’s help for students to learn English.

• God’s word to take root and bear fruit in students’ lives.

• Unbelieving students to come to Christ.

Refuge Care Ministry (RCM)

RCM helps the newly arriving refugees experience and learn about the love of God through friendship and practical assistance. They strive to help refugees feel welcome, become self-sufficient financially and be integrated into our community.

Praise God for:

• Bible studies during ESOL class where a Muslim leader reads Gospel excerpts in the students’ own languages and they learn of Jesus through God’s word.

• Many trusting friendships between believers and Afghans.

• Parties hosted where students have experienced our care.

Please pray for:

• Hearts and minds open to the beauty, goodness, and truth of the gospel, and for decisions to follow Christ.

• Growth in English so our students can thrive in their new community.

• More CLC members to join the team.

Operation Christmas Child

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Since 1993, more than 232 million children have received a gift-filled shoebox given in Jesus’ name. Throughout the year, CLC gathers quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items to be packed in shoeboxes and sent to the ends of the world.

Praise God for:

• Our Team grew!

• 1,090 shoeboxes (new record)!

• Many people helped with the packing party set-up.

• People of all ages and abilities participated. One person with a walker sat down to assemble pencil pouches for the boxes.

• 120 people came to the packing party and heard the gospel presented on video while packing.

Please pray for:

• Children to receive a gospel booklet in their shoebox.

• Wisdom and success regarding team member placement.

• Increased donations.

TUESDAY

DEMONSTRATING AND DECLARING GOD'S KINGDOM

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35-40; see also 41-46)
 
On the final day, there will be a quiz. Though men often wonder what they will be asked, it will not be a surprise. The quiz is open-book. These piercing words of Jesus make clear what God calls righteous, and what his righteous church will look like on that day. To be clear, these are not acts of righteousness to earn God’s favor; that comes by grace alone through faith alone in the saving work of Christ alone (Ephesians 2:4-9). But these are “good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
 
Praise God that, by the power of his Spirit, we’re walking in them. Not perfectly, but credibly and effectively in our individual lives and in partnership with the local ministries we serve with and support. We’re observing Jesus’ commands as Great Commission disciples, loving our neighbors as ourselves and living out loud to both demonstrate and declare his kingdom. “You are the salt of the earth… “You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).
 
Let’s pray that we will excel all the more, that we will grow in both serving and giving, and that God will strengthen our local partners and establish the work of their hands.

Love INC MoCo (LINC MoCo)

Love In the Name of Christ is a proven model that networks local churches, church volunteers, and community organizations to help people in need.

Praise God for:

• Launching of a transformative 12-week Affirming Potential class, helping neighbors learn God's purpose for their lives.

Please pray for:

• Start of a Cost of Poverty Experience to help Christians realize the daily challenges faced by struggling neighbors.

• 10 to 15 new church co-laborers to be added.

• More Christian champions (volunteers and paid staff), called by the Lord, to serve with excellence and compassion.

• Additional generous donors who will partner with God's work in Montgomery County by supporting the expansion and impact of this ministry.

Good Samaritan Advocates (GSA)

Each year, over 12 million Americans face the daunting task of navigating the legal system on their own. In Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, MD, the need is great. Good Samaritan Advocates (GSA) exists because a lack of access to justice is a serious problem in America. At GSA, our mission is to seek justice for our neighbors in need through legal aid, advocacy, and the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

Praise God for:

• Seven clinics and collaboration with Central Union Mission.

• 200 clients served through 1400 hours of volunteer service.

• Fruitful collaboration with Love INC.

• Training opportunities through the Christian Legal Society.

Please pray for:

• More volunteers, particularly immigration and family law attorneys, to join our team. 

• The Lord to send “replacement staff” to step in as more senior lawyers transitioning out of GSA.

• Awareness of GSA services for potential clients.

• Advancement of the gospel when shared with all clients.

Shady Grove Pregnancy Center (SGPC)

Shady Grove Pregnancy Center is a non-profit organization assisting young women and their families who face a crisis due to an unplanned pregnancy. SGPC offers pregnancy testing, sonograms, parenting classes and mentoring. They also support low income families who are financially unable to meet the basic material needs of their families by providing diapers, formula, baby clothing, etc. All their services are offered in English and Spanish and are provided free of charge.

Praise God for:

• Greater digital outreach impacting more abortion minded women reaching out to us for appointments.

• An increased number of trained pregnancy counselors.

• Success of the Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline for a client, changing their heart after taking the first pill.

Please pray for:

• More Prayer Flare participants to join in prayer when abortion-minded clients are at the center.

• The Lord to guide our mission, counselors to have the right words, and sonographers to have needed skills to reveal the lives & beating hearts of babies to mothers.

Men's Shelter Meals

Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless desires to make homelessness a rare, brief, and nonrecurring experience by building a community where everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. The men’s shelter relies on help from the community for all their meals so that MCCH can utilize their staff to focus on placing the men in homes. Once a month, members of CLC sign up to provide or serve dinner for over 200 men on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.

Praise God for:

• Many of the 200 men who stay at Rockville Men’s Shelter are grateful that people take time to provide meals for them during a difficult time in their lives.

• On a video at their website, one man said seeing people serve them inspires him to want to give back when he’s able.

Please pray for: 

• Enough volunteers for this team to prepare one dinner each month.

• God’s grace for Eva Campbell who leads this ministry.

• G od’s help and mercy for the men experiencing homelessness.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of members - called Stephen Ministers - to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people going through tough times or in crisis. They have received special training to listen and encourage and offer free confidential emotional support to people who are experiencing grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss or other life difficulties.

Praise God for:

• “My Stephen Minister helped me SO much! Their ability to listen was amazing, allowing me to talk freely and without fear of judgment. And talking helped me to process my thoughts and emotions, which helped me to figure out the next steps I needed to take!”

• “The single greatest blessing of having a Stephen Minister was not being alone or isolated or abandoned in the circumstances that I was going through. I knew that God hadn’t forgotten me.”

Please pray for:

• More Christians to become Stephen Ministers.