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Great Plains Region Briefing

Andrew Petro, Regional Director

Great Plains RegionBriefingAndrew Petro, Regional Director

Faith in Faith

You often hear it said that it doesn’t matter what you believe, so long as you believe in something. It’s part of our modern mythology. We might call it having faith in faith.


As Christians, we might quickly dismiss this notion as hopelessly fatuous. Could anything be more absurd? Isn’t what we believe of infinitely greater importance than that we believe?


We should try to understand, however, what is being said. Many people recognize the benefits of a faith commitment to something. People are more psychologically integrated when they believe their lives have transcendent purpose. They find it easier to make sense of their lives if they believe in something greater than themselves. Furthermore, as cynical rulers have long appreciated, people with an expectation of a blessed future are better able to bear with a dismal present. That’s why Karl Marx called religion “the opiate of the masses.” Setting the cynicism to one side, the truth remains: People with faith in a bright tomorrow are much better equipped to deal with a dark today.


Much more needs saying, however. Belief may well have benefits, but surely it matters whether what we believe is true! We consider someone with a sincere belief in Hobbits as mentally ill, no matter how useful they find their delusion. Utility isn’t everything. The most important function of a belief system is to give a description of reality as it truly is, not as we might wish it to be.


When people find out that we’re Christians, they sometimes tell us how glad they are that our Christianity “works for us.” While it certainly matters whether Christian “works” or not, it is at least equally important that it is ultimately true. In fact, Christianity only works because it is true. Like geometry, it “works” because it describes things as they truly are.


The foolishness of faith in faith should be obvious. Think about the situation of a man in love. He will not accept for a moment that it doesn’t matter who he loves but that he loves. He knows full well that the object of his affection is of decisive importance. He is not content to love any woman. He loves this woman, and her alone. After all–as he will tell you–he is not in love with love; he is in love with his beloved.


Faith in faith is fruitless. Our faith must be vested in a worthy object. That’s why Christians insist on the need for faith in Christ. When all is said and done, it’s not faith in faith that counts, but only faith in him.


- Pastor Andy

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Prayer Awakening

Registration is now open!

While the main event will take place in Fort Wayne if the trip to Indiana doesn't work for you there are other ways to participate. Harvest Fellowship in Shambaugh, IA will serve as a remote site for the Great Plains Region and there is an option to join by Zoom. Please consider how you can participate in this Conference. See the attached flier with the schedule listed in CST.


2024 SPEAKER: Dr. Bob Bakke

A graduate of Taylor University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Bob spent 14 years serving Connecticut and New Jersey churches, 12 years as an Executive Director of the Evangelical Free Church of America (promoting prayer and spiritual awakening), before assuming leadership of Hillside Church. He is an historian, a published author, and a producer of national simulcasts. Over the course of nearly 25 years, Bob produced The Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer; on the evening of the National Day of Prayer, as well as the Global Day of Prayer, a movement he helped found.

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STAFF OPENINGS IN THE GREAT PLAINS REGION STAFF OPENINGS IN THE GREAT PLAINS REGION

Northwind Church, Keewatin, MN

Northwind Church is looking for a Lead Pastor/Bi-vocational of a three year old church plant in Northern MN. To visit their website go here.


Please send resume to Tim Maki.

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Regional Prayer Focus

In the coming weeks please pray specifically for Missouri.

  • School starting back-Donny and Leanne Powell headed to teach.
  • Leadership would continue to be strengthened and new leadership would be developed.
  • Disciple-making communities would be strengthened and new communities would develop.
  • Churches would be strengthened and new churches would develop.


1. Pastoral Cohorts would form and deeper connections would be made.

2. Complete the adoption of incoming churches.

3. The development and implementation of an internship program to develop young leaders.

4. Pray for disciples to be made and disciple-making communities & churches to be formed in North Dakota.

National Prayer Focus

AUGUST PRAYER FOCUS — PRAYING FOR STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS

PERSONAL REFLECTION: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

  • Pray for teachers and students that God will give them strength to resist conforming to the values and practices of those not following Jesus.
  • Pray that teachers and students will be continually transformed by the renewing of their minds so that they might prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
  • Pray for the students and teachers that their faith will remain strong and that they will present themselves as living sacrifices to the Lord.
  • Pray that Christian students and teachers will have an impact for Jesus throughout the year.

Specific Prayer Needs

*We want to join you in prayers of rejoicing and need. Please send any requests to greatplainsregion.mc@gmail.com or text +1-844-463-7808 to have items included here.

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Andrew Petro, Regional Director

Email: greatplainsregion.mc@gmail.com
Website: greatplainsregion.org
Phone: (402) 840-5056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPRMissionaryChurch

Andrew Petro
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Regional Director of the Great Plains Region, Missionary Church

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