Calvary Latvia

Prayer for the new year.

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Brenten & Lena Powers - Prayer Points January 2012
• Praise for fruitful outreaches: Christmas market evangelism, and teaching at One Way youth camp.
• Pray for Sunday and Thursday groups to learn to live by faith in 2012 as we are studying John and Romans.
• Pray for Lena, healing of thyroid, needs more energy for homeschooling Caleb and Lily, and taking care of baby Samuel.
• Pray for confirmation if we should broadcast on radio (100,000 potential listeners, $100 for 15 minutes), and teach Inductive Bible study seminar at a local Pentecostal church.
• Pray for Martin, we had to kick him out of the church again, needs humility, repentance and love.

November 2011

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:51:00 +0000

Here is our prayer and praise update for November:

Good news: God provided everything we needed to apply for residence permits this month. Praise the Lord.
Now please pray that we would be good stewards, hard workers and faithful messengers this year in Latvia and beyond.
Pray for opportunities to visit the Bible colleges in Germany and Hungary and to take along a brother or two from here.
for equipping nationals for ministry, for laborers to be raised up to sow the truth of God's word among their own people.
for growth in ministries: pastoral, worship, men, women, children, evangelism, truth project, home fellowships

Prayer Offerings in October

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:36:00 +0000

Dear praying friends,

We need your prayers this month. We have started 3 Bible studies that will take at least 6 months to complete and yet we don't know if we will be allowed to continue living in Latvia for more than 6 weeks - but we believe! Please thank God for his blessings with us and pray for these specific things happening in October.

Brenten Powers

Calvary Latvia Missions

1. Thank God for a good start with 12 people attending the truth project at our home last Friday night. Pray for the all of us to be transformed by learning the Christian world view in the next 12 lessons.
2. Thank Lord with us for the generous donations that came in the last two months. Yet we still lack about $3000 to in order to apply for residence permits. For the next 2 weeks, personal (non-tax deductible) donations are the most helpful. If you desire to give now, you can do so here: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhnfnc49_69c97tbghg

3. Thank God for our healthy family and our church family here. Pray I would continue to lead and teach God's word with godly authority.

4. Pray for God's will with our residence permits, we apply by October 18 and we'll get an answer November 18 if we can stay.

5. Pray for laborers to be raised up for various ministries within and without the church, especially teachers and evangelists.

Prayer for a new season

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:28:00 +0000

To those who check this blog in order to pray specifically for us, THANK YOU!

Here are our updated prayer requests for September. Please pray with us about these important things...

Family - Brenten leading the family, Lena teaching home-school Tues-Saturday, Sunday serving as a family, Monday is family fun day; Pray Caleb and Lily grow in their faith in Christ. May Samuel sleep, eat and grow well.
Fellowships - In Riga, Latvia Sunday mornings - Bible study now our living room. In Jelgava, Latvia starting this Thursday: young Latvians to be rooted in truth. Possible every other Friday: Truth project for youth.
Finances - $15,538 is needed to qualify for visas. Praise God much was given and saved this summer but pray $9000 more is given by Sept. 30, 2011. We must apply for visas by October 18 to stay and serve in Latvia for the next year. (if you want to give, please click on www.latviamissions.blogspot.com).
Faithfulness - "To whom much is given much is required" May we be faithful stewards to fulfill the mission God has given us (the great commission) with faith, patience, diligence, righteousness, truth & love.
Fruitfulness - fruit of the spirit in our lives, fruit from abiding in Christ, fruit from all our labors in Christ, fruit from sowing truth into others' lives, fruit from thanksgiving as that God's word is humbly received and spreads rapidly (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

Thank you for your prayers!

Brenten Powers

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:32:00 +0000

Hey if anyone is still reading blogs these days, I wanted to put out these prayer requests while we are visiting California.

Praise God we are enjoying this much needed furlough, many blessings, good fellowship and good food!

Please pray for our family's health (we're getting sick), pray that we get better soon (if we aren'te better by the Tuesday meeting)

for the believers in Latvia to be consistantly nurished in God's word while we are away.

for more vision to lead the church in reaching Riga and Jelgava when we return (August 17 Lord willing)

for more provision for all of our needs according to His riches in glory, for visas we need $10,000 in savings.

We have much to praise God for and pray to God for but we try to post only 5 requests each month not to overburden anyone. But we need the body of Christ praying for Latvia and for us that we may fulfill the great commission, to make disciples in this nation! If you would like to know how to get more involved, as we visit California, please let us know where you are and we'll let you know if/when we'll be sharing in a town near you. May God bless you in your praying for Latvia.

June 15 - August 17

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:59:00 +0000

Please pray during this time that we are going on furlough, as we fly to Northern California June 15 and return to Latvia on August 17, 2011. Here are a few requests:
1. For the Lord to make the believers in Latvia fruitful as they abide in the word, fellowship and live in reliance upon the Him this summer.
2. For the Lord to keep doors open as long as he wants us to serve in Latvia, that we can get everything in order to renew our residency permits upon our return.
3. For the Lord's grace to strengthen relationships with our churches and relatives in California, that we'd overflow with love and truth, and be blessing to all we meet.

Prayer May 15 to June 15

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:01:00 +0000

Please pray for your missionaries and the mission field of Latvia!

PRAYER REQUESTS - May 15 to June 15, 2011

• Praise God the snow has melted and we have more opportunities to enjoy fellowship and family times.

• Praise God for the 2 dozen people who are receiving God's word at Calvary Riga & in our new Bible study in Jelgava.

• Pray for the believers we are discipling to know how God would want to use them to edify one another. discovering gifts, praying for each other, and participating more in services

• For evangelism - the need is great and laborers are few. Pray for the believers here to be empowered by the Spirit with love and wisdom to reach out to unbelievers.

• For our upcoming furlough (June 15 to August 17, 2011) that God would strengthen our relationships with the churches that sent us, that He would prepare us to be a blessing and be blessed in California.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!

Brenten Powers

Pray

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:51:00 +0000

Would you please keep praying for us? Here are updated requests for April 2011:
1. Praise God for providing all the documents needed for Samuel's temporary residence permit so we can stay until our furlough.
2. Pray for provision of funds for our furlough (June 15-August 17) and for raised monthly support as we have 3 children and Bible studies in 2 cities now.
3. Pray for the church in Riga, that they may grow in the word and love of God and that they could share it with others.
4. Pray for the home fellowship starting in Jelgava at Andris and Iveta's home, that God would draw new people to come.
5. Pray for our Spring outreaches and Easter service, as we invite more people to come to church and to our living Savior.

Video prayer requests

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:58:00 +0000

Hey, if you are in the CCMB prayer fellowship, I'm sorry for not submitting written requests on time, but I know you still pray for us and would appreciate an update. I hope this video beats the 5 bullet points you usually see. (:
In Christ,
Brenten

February 2011 Prayer Needs

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:41:00 +0000

"Brothers, pray for us." (1Thessaonlians 5:25)

Brenten and Lena Powers - Calvary Latvia
1. Praise God and continue praying for Calvary Latvia, that we may
excell more in love, faith and sanctification by the Word.
2. Praise God for answering prayer for a safe deivery and homecoming
of baby Samuel Joseph Powers.
3. Pray for complete healing for Lena as she recovers from her
C-section at home.
4. Pray for wisdom to figure out Samuel's routine with sleeping,
eating and eveything.
5. Praise God for Caleb and Lily's love for their new brother, and
pray that they continue to adjust smoothly.

New Prayer Requests

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:40:00 +0000

1. For Lena's safe delivery of our baby boy (due this week!) in the Latvian hospital, that we would not be anxious but the peace of God to rule our hearts.
2. For Brenten to be lead by the Spirit as he leads the church through the epistles of Paul this year, concerning pace, depth and content of teaching.
3. Thank God for the spouses of a couple believers who have been coming to church, but pray that they would trust in Christ to be justified by faith. (Galatians 2:16)
4. .Praise God for Andris, our new worship leader, pray for him and more people to be discipled and equipped for ministry.
5. As long winters can effect our attitude, pray for the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).

Thanksgiving

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:05:00 +0000

WE THANK GOD FOR YOU!

This morning Lily thanked God for friends, a safe place to live, and snow because we get to play in it. Caleb thanked God that we always have enough food, for our kittens and toys to play with. Lena and I thank God for our family, our baby boy that will be born at end of January, and the believers in Calvary Chapel Riga, Latvia. Most of all, I give thanks to God for the salvation we share through faith in Jesus Christ (2Thes 3:13).

And we thank God for your prayers and contributions have helped us to spread the gospel in Latvia for 3 and 1/2 years now. You have sent us to preach and already tens of thousands of Latvians and Russians have heard of who Jesus is, and how He died and rose again to save them. In the last 6 months, more than 25 people have believed and called upon the Lord for salvation. Let us rejoice that Christ is being preached in Latvia (Philippians 1:18) and that more than one sinner has repented (Luke 15:7), knowing that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his from death and will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:20) and as their faith is proven it will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1Peter 1:7).

Your continued support is also helping us to plant a church in Riga, Latvia. At Calvary Latvia, we are making disciples of young men and women, children and adults, Latvians, Russians, Estonians, Americans and a German. On Sundays and Thursdays, believers are fed the word of God and are becoming healthy sheep. They getting equipped for ministry and are inviting more people. I thank Jesus Christ who has put me into ministry (1Tim 1:12) being confident that He who began a good work in us, is continuing to work through us, and He will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6) By being generous and ready to share, you are storing up treasure in heaven, laying of a good foundation for the future (1Tim 6:19). You are making friends and disciples that will greet you and welcome you into everlasting habitations (Luke 16:9) in the presence of God's glory with great joy (Jude 1:24)! For what is our hope, or joy, or crown or rejoicing? Is it not even you [fellow believers], in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (1Thes 2:19)

So, in this season of thanksgiving, I hope you are as thankful as we are to be sustained and used by the Lord. And even though it's a sacrifice to be away from family for the holidays, we look forward to visiting next spring or summer (Lord willing). We endure all things for the sake of the elect that they too may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory (2Tim 2:10)!
May God bless you.

Brenten Powers
CalvaryLatvia.com

November

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:58:00 +0000

Thank you for your love and prayers for our family, for the believers and for the lost in Latvia. I'd like to give you a quick update before writing a few new needs for prayer.

Our family is serving God in afflictions, hardships, distresses, but we are enduring! Lena is 6 months pregnant and does a lot to take care of our family, to homeschool our kids and to lead the children's ministry. Brenten has a lot of responsibilities as a husband, father, pastor, worship leader and evangelist that sometimes are overwhelming. Please pray that God gives the Powers family His power to walk worthy of his calling and fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith. (2Thes 1:11)

In this Fall/Winter season, I am spending less time preaching the gospel outdoors and focusing more on teaching the Bible with the believers at Calvary Latvia. The Lord has blessed us with a few more people in the church who are hungry for the word of God. We are growing in many practical ways through these challenging studies through James and Matthew. Please pray that Calvary Latvia may abound still more and more in real love, knowledge and discernment. (Phil 1:9)

Evangelism is an important part of our minsitry since our church is small. I praise God for Andris, one of the believers in our fellowship, who has been accompanying me in street evangelism every week. It's much better to have another brother so we can encourage eachother when we're rejected and keep eachother humble when God uses us to open peoples eyes to the truth. Please pray that no matter how people respond we will be faithful to present the truth in love, to gently correct those who are in opposition if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth (Ephesians 6:19)

October

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 21:39:00 +0000

Thank you for your diligence in praying for us missionaries in Latvia. We do need it!
1. Praise God for the 25 kids that responded when I preached the gospel at camp, pray for them as the camp director and I plan follow up through the winter time.
2. Praise God for blessing Calvary Riga and the new people coming to Bible studies 2-3 times a week. It's exciting that they all have a hunger for the word of God and He is strengthening our faith.
3. For Lena to stay healthy, physically, emotionally, spiritually. For a name for a boy to be born in January.
4. For Brenten to overflow with love for God and God's love for family, church, neighbors, enemies.
5. For Caleb and Lily, language skills with weekly lessons; for them to see Christ in their parents.
Thank you for praying for us. If we can pray for you, leave us a comment. (:
Brenten

End of Summer 2010 Prayer Update

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:24:00 +0000

Powers Prayer points september 2010
1. Praise God for blessing the Petrik family's mission trip, they
helped us launch Calvary Chapel Riga.
2. Pray for the thousands of people who received tracts, the hundreds
who heard the gospel preached.
3. Praise God for the dozens who prayed for forgiveness at camp and
the 3 new believers that started coming to church and home fellowship.
4. Pray for Brenten to feed and equip the church well every Sunday and
Thursday.
5. Pray for our family's health as the weather gets cold and Lena is
pregnant.

In Christ,
Brenten Powers
CalvaryLatvia.com

August 2010 Prayer

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:59:00 +0000

Greetings!
I just wanted to ask you to pray for us this week regarding some big things going on with our mission in Latvia.
1. The Petrik family is visiting and are a great encouragement and help - Praise God and thanks to those who helped sent them! They are here until September 9th.
2. This week (Aug 16-20) we are serving at a English/Christian camp for kids age 9-13, please pray for true conversions as I have been given the responsibility to preach the gospel to the kids over 5 evening services (Topics: Creation, Sin, Jesus, Salvation, Discipleship). AND August 24 I was invited to a "History makers" camp for 120 young adults to teach a workshop about Verse by verse Bible study and Sound Doctrine! Exciting opportunity to meet more christians from various churches. Pray God stirs up a hunger for His Word in them.
3. This Sunday (August 22) as our fellowship returns from the countryside and we will meet at a new location and pray for the relaunching of Sunday morning services. We found a new location is cheaper, closer to us and meets our practical needs for childrens ministry and adults bible study.
4. We will be evangelizing daily (August 24-28) and inviting people to church Sunday (August 29). There happens to be an international business school across the street from our meeting place with students moving into dorms that week too. and with the Petriks and a handful of new translators to help us, we are excited to reach out and see what God will do. Pray for salvation and as we seek the lost and Christians who need a Bible teaching church.
Thank you, for your prayers, support and for your concern for the lost and the church in Latvia.
Brenten
CalvaryLatvia.com

Calvary Latvia - June 2010 update

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:58:00 +0000

May prayer requests

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:26:00 +0000

Hi,
I know that many of you have been praying for us, and I am very thankful. Sorry I have not posted our usual monthly bullet points for prayer, but it has been difficult for me to know how to sum up the challenges we have been facing since we have been back in Latvia. Well, I've written out some requests with explanations so you can pray with understanding. Thanks again!

1. For our church in the summer time. Many locals scatter from the cities to the country side, beaches and forests in the summer, where they work in the fields and/or rest in little summer homes. Many churches seem "empty" in the summer and it's even harder for small churches like ours to maintain services while they are away. It feels like Acts 8:1 when "they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." So we will be changing our Sunday services at the hotel to a home fellowship for June and July. Our last worship service before the break will be May 30 and we hope to resume Sunday services again starting August 15th. PRAY: that our last service together would be a blessing and that the believers would follow the example of the early church "those who were scattered went about preaching the word." (Acts 8:4).

2. For evangelism. Now that the weather is warm and sometimes hot, it's prime time to preach the gospel on the streets and parks in Riga. We've been going out a few times a week to share in different ways: Open air preaching, word on the street interviews, a survey using an ipod app with a gospel presentation in 11 languages (especially helpful for Spanish, French, German, English tourists that come to Riga). I might be doing some itinerant preaching around Latvia in June and July. And I also have been invited to Estonia (to the North) and the Lithuanian border (to the south). Pray the door stays open to continue preaching freely, unhindered, and effectively. Pray that many may hear and that faith may come to them by hearing the word of God!

3. Pray for our family to be encouraged. Sometimes it's discouraging getting rejected when we share the gospel, and having few attending the church. When I evangelize many promise to think about it and some say they might come to church. We know it takes time to plant a church and people need to count the cost before committing to Christ, so pray we would have patience and not grow weary in doing good. It's hard not having a team of missionaries like we did in Ukraine. We are looking forward to the encouraging fellowship at the next Calvary Scandinavia conference (the first week of August). Also we are looking forward to a short term missions team coming from Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz to Latvia the 2nd week of August!! That leads to the next prayer point...

4. Pray for CCSC members who are called to serve in Latvia in August. Pray for Ryan Petrik who hopes to lead his family here for a month and for pastor Bill Bjorkman who hopes to lead a team for a couple weeks. May God make their calling sure, provide for the expenses (about 2500 each), and give us good communication and preparation between now and then. If you would like to donate toward their mission, I believe you can make donations at their site www.CalvaryChapelSantaCruz.com, But please pray for the provision as they will need to buy airplain tickets soon.

God bless you and reward your faith as you seek His will and labor in prayer for the great commission! Thank you!

Brenten Powers

P.S. Have you checked out our videos at www.youtube.com/calvarylatvia ?

New videos and other micro-updates are posted also at www.facebook.com/CalvaryLatvia .

More will be uploaded soon.

April prayer points

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:23:00 +0000

1. For the Spirit to annoint the teaching and preaching of the Word to equip the church.

2. For the Father to draw Latvians and Russians to Jesus during our outreaches.

3. For the believers in the church to know Gods will during Latvias financial crisis.

4. For all the married couples in the church, some spouses need salvation.

5. For new believers to keep moving forward as disciples of Christ.

March prayer requests

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Powers family are visting California for the next month. Therefore please pray...
1. For believers in Calvary Riga, to keep focused on Jesus while services are on hold.
2. For the Powers family while in California, to be prepared for our next year.
3. For support, that more churches and individuals would give financially.
4. For missionaries, that God would call more laborers to help Calvary Latvia.
5. For Latvia, that hardened hearts would be broken over sin and prepared to recieve the gospel.

Visiting California

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:43:00 +0000

We're on furlough California from February 9 thru March 23. I will be sharing about missions and Latvia at a few Calvary Chapels around the Monterey Bay area. If you are in this area, I hope we can meet. Please check my schedule at brenten2010.blogspot.com

My phone number while in California is (831) 210-8891 - Call me!
Thanks,
Brenten

New Year's Prayer List

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:07:00 +0000

For those who pray for us monthly... Please keep it up, Thank you!
Here's how you can pray for the Powers family and Calvary Latvia in January 2010.
1. Thanksgiving for answered prayer: the move from Ogre to Riga is complete AND our Bible study will continue in Ogre too.
2. For the editing and publishing of our teaching series through the Old Testament to the internet and MP3 CDs.
3. For Sergey and Martin to continue to grow as disciples of Jesus, Praise God for much time spent with them, may they bear much fruit.
4. For the preparation for our furlough (we're coming to California February 9-March 23)
5. For the Lord's vision, grace and wisdom for 2010 that the church may grow in health and reach out more effectively with the gospel.

Christmas prayer list

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:07:00 +0000

We praise God for providing a cheaper house to rent in the city where our church is being planted (Riga) and a new kindergarden for Caleb that is Christian.
Here are some prayer requests for December 2009:
1. Pray for a smooth transition for our family as we move in December and for God's provision for the extra bills this month.
2. For the future of our Bible study in Ogre, one man who comes offered to have it in his home, but we still need more translators for 2010.
3. For Sergey and Martin to continue to grow as disciples of Jesus, Praise God for much time spent with them, may they bear much fruit.
4. For our evangelism team being formed, for the equipping of the saints for the work of this ministry, pray for the Lord to send out laborers.
5. For the preparation for our furlough (we're coming to California February 9-March 23) that the fellowship will abide in the word while we're gone and for opportunities in California to speak at more churches.

Praise and Prayer Points

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:47:00 +0000

• Praise God for answering prayer: providing increased support last month and healing Caleb's fever yesterday.
Please continue to pray for us in October:
• For Brenten's teaching through the book of Isaiah this month, that it would draw our fellowships closer to Jesus.
• For Martin, the new believer who was baptized that he would hide God's word in his heart as we meet together regularly.
• For the teen age orphans that we'll meet with monthly, that they would acknowledge the truth and commit to Christ.
• For God's provision if we should visit Monterey in January 2010 or for patience if it's His will that we wait until next winter.

Got a minute for missions?

brentenlena@gmail.com (Brenten Powers) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:11:00 +0000

This is Brenten from Calvary Latvia saying hello to Calvary Santa Cruz,
I heard you are doing a spaghetti dinner to support our ministry, so I wanted to say thank you! And I hope you enjoy all the spaghetti you are going to eat. (:
This is a one minute update about what we’ve been doing this summer

We’ve been enjoying the freedom and the warm weather to preach the gospel on the streets, and I began preaching open air in the center of Riga, and there’s been a great response from the crowds that have gathered.
One young man named Martin got saved and was baptized in the Baltic sea. That was a little bit cold but it was such a thrill.
Also we went into an orphanage, we are sharing food and the gospel with about 70 kids who had never heard the gospel before.
Everyone in the church is growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus as I’m teaching through the Old Testament. You can listen to those Bible studies online at CalvaryLatvia.com

Be encouraged! God is working! But please continue to pray for us. Thank you.