Jon,

"Remember not the former things, not consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43: 18-19

We have a God of new beginnings. He can create from nothing. He can wipe the slate clean and start fresh. He not only forgives sin, but purifies us from all unrighteousness. He makes all things new. I love this truth about God. As humans we often dwell on our past. We regret our failures and allow them to influence our confidence and ability to move forward. The forgiveness and freedom that Jesus Christ's death and resurrection brought us give us this new beginning. Old things pass away and all things become new!

The start of a new year brings a renewal of the fresh, born again start that we experienced as new believers. A new year gives us the opportunity to look ahead to ways we can grow in our relationship with God. We can ask him for new steps of obedience or disciplines that we can embrace toward walking closer with him.

I always look forward to our yearly College of Prayer Breakthrough Fast in January to spend time seeking the Lord, bringing to him my needs and desires, allowing him to reveal his plans and desires for me as I begin a new year. This year's fast is January 8-28 and will follow the theme "Kingdom Ready." As we live in these days of global uncertainty, we want to be Kingdom minded and Kingdom advancing. His Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and that is what we want to focus on during this 21 day fast. I hope you will plan to join many others on this fast. To receive daily devotionals of encouragement click here. Devotionals are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

The Lord bless you as you begin this new year 2023. May he lead you and guide you and your families and your churches throughout the year ahead.

Blessings,

Declare Breakthrough for New Opportunities

Europe - Many Roma leaders have returned to their nations throughout Europe and India with a desire to implement the College of Prayer training and train others throughout their nation. Pray with us as we help facilitate this implementation.

Ethiopia - For the first time in our 6 years of serving the church in Ethiopia we trained mission leaders who are sending out hundreds of missionaries in the next few years, and youth leaders who minister to 4 million young adults. Pray for them as they implement our training.

Middle East - We are in contact with leaders from most remaining Arab nations to come to Turkey for training in 2023.

Russia - Our pastors in Russia continue to train and mentor their people using College of Prayer curriculum. They will be finalizing the translation and publication of all our curriculum for distribution throughout their nation.

ABBA - Our ministry to children and parents/caregivers, ABBA, continues to expand in many new nations and in U.S. churches. Please pray for team development and creativity as new materials are being produced. To learn more and schedule a gathering for your church, click here.

We need your prayers now more than ever as we are asking God to open doors to every nation on earth. We already have campuses of the College of Prayer in 160 nations and territories, and this leaves us with 56 remaining nations and territories. Please pray with us that this vision will be fulfilled.

• Ask Christ to open doors to 25 new nations within the next 6 months including Trinidad & Tobago and many European nations.
• Ask Christ to open doors to the final nations within the next year including Bhutan, Iran, Kuwait, Micronesia, and Mozambique.

Strategic Partnerships

Partnerships with denominations and church movements continue to develop and grow. Four of these partnerships developed in 2022. Please pray for unique favor over our Leadership Team as they navigate conversations and opportunities to impact whole denominations and church movements.

New Campuses

In 2022 19 new College of Prayer campuses launched in the U.S. In 2023 we are anticipating over 20 new campuses to launch. Please pray that nothing will hinder this development. 

Other Specific Prayer Points

"Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers. and pray also that God's revelation would be released through me every time I preach the wonderful mystery of the hope-filled gospel." Ephesians 6:18-19

AFRICA

Democratic Republic of the Congo – January 3-5 Willy Muyabwa will be teaching "Lord, As Families, Teach us to Pray" at Filadelfia Church in Lubumbashi.

January 17-19 Pastor Willy Muyabwa will lead "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" at Peniel Church in Lubumbashi.

Ethiopia – Pray for the youth and mission leaders of the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church who are training other leaders throughout the country this month.

Nigeria – January 1-6 Pastor Suno Justus and Don Young will be training church leaders in Abuja.

Kenya – January 5-7 Pastor Joel Ojondo will be teaching "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" in Busia.

January 12-15 Pastor Joel Ojondo will be leading "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" in Mombasa.

EUROPE

Romania, Bosnia, and Serbia – College of Prayer training took place in each of these countries in November. Roma leaders from 30 nations gathered to be trained in "Lord, Give Us the Nations." Pray for each of the leaders who received training as they are using what they have received in their churches and ministries.

ASIA

Nepal – January 11-13 Jon Mitchell will be in Kathmandu with a team leading our Year 3 training for campus leaders from across the country.

LATIN AMERICA

Mexico – January 27-28 Pastor Joshua and Cindy Bencomo will be training leaders in Monterrey, teaching "Lord, as Families, Teach Us to Pray."

UNITED STATES 

Silver Spring, MD – January 27-28 a new campus will launch with Pastors Ebenezer Murengezi, Mike Mercurrio, and Dale Rintelman.

Batesville, AR – January 27-29 Luis Calderon, Pastor Erick Araya and his wife Nelsy will be leading their church through "Lord, Teach Us to Pray."

Haines City, FL – Luis Calderon and Pastor Jorge Garibello will hold prayer training and mentorship every Wednesday this month. They will be teaching "Lord, Teach Us to Pray."

New York – January 29 Don Young will be training Chinese leaders in Rockland Chinese Alliance Church by Zoom.

Batesville, AR – January 27-29 Luis Calderon, Pastor Erick Araya and his wife Nelsy will be leading the second module of Year One: "Lord, Teach Us to Pray."