2026 July, August Prayer letter 🆕

Dear Brothers and Sisters, peace to you in the Lord!

 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed.'” (Isaiah 28:16, NASB)

When the prophet Isaiah wrote this chapter to Judah, it was during the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign (701 B.C.). By that time, the northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria (722 B.C.). The people of Judah were living in fear as the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatened the nation. The counselors surrounding King Hezekiah offered what appeared to be the easiest and most reasonable solution—to form an alliance with Egypt in order to resist Assyria. From a human perspective, this seemed like the quickest and most practical course of action. Yet God declared to the leaders of Judah that such a decision was actually to “make a covenant with death” and “an alliance with Sheol.” Instead, the Lord proclaimed: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed.”  This cornerstone is the One in whom we are to place our trust. Romans 9:33 and 1 Peter 2:4–6 clearly reveal that this cornerstone is our Lord Jesus Christ.

It wasn’t until I returned to the States from the Holy Land Study Tour—following in the footsteps of Apostle Paul—that I began to notice the state of the world around me. (While in the Holy Land, we were completely detached from worldly affairs; visiting biblical sites by day and studying the Bible by night, I was so happy that I left quite a few things behind at home.)  I was shocked to learn that France and the rest of Europe were experiencing scorching heat of up to 100°F, resulting in many deaths. Although the US was also affected by a “heat dome,” with temperatures rising into the 90s, we had air conditioning indoors, so I didn’t feel the heat as much. Naively—much like the ancient emperor asking, “Why don’t they eat meat?”—I asked, “Why don’t the French just turn on their air conditioning?” Someone later explained to me that summers in France are typically  cool, to the point where even fans are barely needed, so households simply don’t have AC installed.  But now, global temperatures are not only shifting (storms and flooding in Missouri have also been frequently in the news lately), but geopolitical tensions remain high. Before we left, the US and Iran had signed a peace agreement. Our travel agenct in Jerusalem told us that tourism in Israel had been severely impacted over the last two years due to the war, with very few tourists, so they were thrilled about the US-Iran peace treaty. Yet, the reality is that because of the Strait of Hormuz, the conflict has not ceased to this day.  Furthermore, the global economy is currently in a downturn. Many brothers and sisters around me are facing job instability, and layoffs are frequently heard of. In the US, losing a job immediately impacts one’s immigration status, and finding a new job now takes significantly more time. All of these circumstances are incredibly worrying and disheartening.  However, as I read this passage of Scripture, God reminded me: we must not rely on humans, on horses, on chariots, or on strong horsemen (Isaiah 31:1)! These are all unreliable. Circumstances will change, and people will change, but God has already prepared a solid foundation for us. Those who trust in Him will not act in haste, nor will they be put to shame.

In our May and June prayer letters, I mentioned that during the past two months I felt as though I were cooking on a stove with eight burners going at the same time. Praise the Lord, the first four “dishes” have now been completed, and in every one of them we experienced God’s abundant grace and blessings. We are now preparing for the remaining four ministries, and we would greatly appreciate your continued prayers:

(5) Bible Camp — July 26 (evening) to August 1 (noon)

(6) Discipleship Training Camp — August 2 (evening) to August 8 (noon)

(7) August Short-Term Mission — August 21–30

(8) September Short-Term Mission — September 11–20

During August and September, ten short-term mission teams will be coming to cowork with us in ministry throughout the Midwest. Churches in the Midwest, therefore, also need to prepare themselves to serve alongside these teams in fulfilling the Great Commission.

The theme of our prayer letters this year is “Rooted and Built Up, Attaining to Maturity” (Colossians 2:7; Ephesians 4:13). In this issue, our coworker, Pastor Qinglong Liang, shares a special devotional entitled “Now Is the Time to Share the Gospel.” May we encourage one another and continue to press forward together in the work the Lord has entrusted to us.

Now Is the Time to Share the Gospel
Because the Israelite followed the Canaanites in worshiping idols, God disciplined them through the Babylonian Empire. Their nation was conquered, and the temple was destroyed. Seventy years later, God moved the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to issue a decree allowing the Israelite to return and rebuild the temple. After returning, the Israelite rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. However, because of opposition from their enemies, the work came to a halt for sixteen years. During that time, they often excused themselves by saying, “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then God spoke through the prophet Haggai, calling them to examine their ways: “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?” God made His will clear: “Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified.”

Today, the temple in Jerusalem no longer exists. Instead, the church, made up of believers in Christ, has become God’s temple and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The church is called to grow into maturity, attaining the full stature of Christ, and evangelism is an essential part of that growth. We thank God that in recent years more and more brothers and sisters have come to the Midwest on short-term mission trips. As we reflect on God’s instruction to the Israelites regarding the rebuilding of His temple, may we continue the work of building up the church in the following ways, pleasing God and bringing glory to Him through our lives.

First, when it came to rebuilding the temple, God called every returning Israelite to take part. Their mission upon returning to Jerusalem was singular: to rebuild God’s house. Likewise, building up the church is the shared mission of every Christian. May God help us begin preparing now by setting aside time for August 21–30 and September 11–20, so that we can partner with the short-term mission teams in sharing the gospel.

Second, God specifically instructed the Israelites to go up into the mountains to gather timber. The materials needed for the temple were not where they lived—they had to leave their homes and go where the timber could be found. In the same way, if we want to build God’s church, we must go where people who need the gospel are. University campuses, dormitories, supermarkets, restaurants, and many other places are filled with people who have not yet heard the good news. May the Lord help us intentionally go to these places, actively seek opportunities to share the gospel, and invite people to Christian gatherings. Then, when the short-term mission teams arrive, we will already have gospel contacts whom we can introduce to them for continued ministry.

Finally, God made it clear that the Israelites were to gather timber for the purpose of rebuilding His temple—not for constructing their own paneled houses. Their labor was to be for God’s kingdom, not for personal gain. This is an important reminder for all of us who share the gospel today. Wherever we go and whatever we do, our one purpose should be to help people come to know and trust in Jesus Christ, so that they may receive the blessings of the gospel. Our ministry must never be motivated by what we hope to gain from others. May the Lord give us pure hearts filled with genuine love for people, free from selfish ambition as we serve in gospel ministry.

God has already entrusted us with the mission of the gospel. May the Lord help us stop making excuses and begin sharing the good news wherever we are. Let us also prepare our schedules in advance so that we can serve alongside the short-term mission teams in August and September, working together to advance the gospel for the glory of God.

Future Meetings

1. August Bible Camp (July 26–August 1)
This time, we will be studying the “Books of Poetry.” So far, more than 70 brothers and sisters have registered to participate. After submitting their assigned topic reports in mid-July, they will be ready to attend the Bible Camp. Our guest speaker for this camp will be Pastor Daniel Shen. Please pray for the brothers and sisters’ learning and preparation. If you missed out on this camp, you can still quickly register for the August Discipleship Training, as completing the Discipleship Training is a prerequisite for attending the Bible Camp.  For our next Bible Camp in January next year, we will be studying books of Daniel and Revelation from the evening of January 3 to the noon of January 9, 2027. The registration forms and the syllabus will be posted online very soon, so please prepare your hearts to join us!
2. August Discipleship Training (August 2–8)
The speakers for the August Discipleship Training Camp will be Brother David Lee and Pastor Tsu-Kung Chuang. The messages they will be sharing this time are highly refreshing topics that are rarely covered under normal circumstances.  Pastor Tsu-Kung Chuang will share on “Lord, Teach Me to Pray” and “From Justification to Sanctification.” For those who have previously attended the Discipleship Training, the advanced workshops will cover: “Hermeneutics,” “Leading Bible Studies,” “Homiletics,” “Cultural Apologetics,” “Evangelism Strategies,” and “The Pros and Cons of Short-Term Missions.” Meanwhile, Brother David Lee will teach on “A Retrospective on the Unforgettable Christ” and “First-Century Discipleship,” accompanied by a wealth of audiovisual materials from the Holy Land.  Discipleship Training is by no means meant only for new believers or students; we invite those with a heart to pursue growth or who hold leadership roles in the church to not only come to equip yourselves but also lead the brothers and sisters in your churches to join. I believe  many are familiar with Pastor Chuang, he usually leads in the large-scale Winter Conferences. We should especially cherish this opportunity as he has chosen to come to our August Discipleship Training this time.  As for Brother David Lee, he taught at our Discipleship Training Camp during the early years after the CWC  relocated to Warsaw. In recent years he has been heavily involved in ministry at his church in New Jersey and has also served as a speaker at the New York Summser Retreat, making it difficult for him to return. We are grateful that he is able to come  again this year.

Application  forms are now available on our website. The registration deadline is July 24. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

August and September Short-Term Missions (August 21-30 and September 11-20)

Thank the Lord! At this point, five churches from California, New Jersey and Oregon State (including one team member joining  from Taiwan) have confirmed that they will come for the Midwest short-term missions in August.  In addition, another five churches from California, Texas, and  Washington State will come for the September missions.  Each of these churches is actively preparing and training their team members before arriving.  The August mission teams will primarily serve in states closer to the CWC, including: Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi.  The September teams will travel to places farther away, such as: Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Alabama, North Dakota, and South Dakota. We ask the churches and Bible study groups in the Midwest to begin preparing now to partner with these mission teams. Together we can proclaim the gospel alongside these brothers and sisters who have willingly sacrificed their time, finances, and energy to serve the Lord.  We thank God for the many churches that are participating this year. In particular, five mission teams will be serving during August, the largest number we have ever had. Please continue to pray for the gospel ministry throughout the Midwest.

 

Thanksgiving and Ministry Reports

1. June “Paul’s Missionary Journey” Holy Land Study Tour (June 15–27)
Praise the Lord! This time, 37 brothers and sisters joined the Apostle Paul’s Missionary Journeys Study Tour. We first visited the seven churches of Revelation and the Island of Patmos, and then crossed over from Troas (where Paul received the Macedonian vision) to Greece, following Paul’s second and parts of his third missionary journeys. If you missed this Holy Land study tour, the next one will be in June 2029, focusing on “The Exodus, Entering Canaan, and the Life of Jesus.” Please begin setting aside time to join us!

Sunday Online Bible Study & Prayer Meeting

Every month we post the prayer requests on our website. You can remember us in your personal prayers, or pray for us at your church’s prayer meetings. However, a great opportunity to pray together with the center’s coworkers is during the Bible reading and prayer meeting led by the coworkers every Sunday night at 7 PM. This prayer meeting also has the purpose of helping everyone to start preparing for the Bible Camp in advance, so that when the time comes, you won’t be caught unprepared and think about giving up. Of course, if you are not attending the Bible Camp, you can still systematically study the Bible with us. This semester, we will be studying the ‘Poetry and Wisdom Books’.  In the first 30 minutes, the coworkers will lead everyone in studying the Poetry and Wisdom Books chapter by chapter plus guidance on how to study, write outlines, and topical reports. In the second 30 minutes, we will pray in one accord for CWC ministry and coworkers according to the monthly prayer calendar.  So if you are willing to pray for us, you can join our Bible reading and prayer meeting. In order not to affect the brothers and sisters’ work and school the next day, we have shortened it to one hour (7:00-8:00 PM Central Time). We will use Zoom, with the ID: 85888709271, and the password: 567482. We invite everyone to come and study the Bible together and pray for the center.

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests
1. Praise the Lord for leading our June Holy Land Study Tour safely back! The brothers and sisters have all received abundant blessings and insights. Please continue to pray for the upcoming August Bible Camp and August Discipleship Training. Pray that the Lord will grant every participant renewed insights and growth in both their spiritual lives and ministries. Please also pray for our coworkers and speakers, that we may all be endued with spiritual strength from above and heavenly power to serve.

2. Please pray for the short-term mission teams in August and September. In addition to praying for their current intensive training and the various churches they will visit in the Midwest, please also pray for the CWC coworkers as they travel with and support these mission teams.

3. For Coworkers:

· Mrs. Ko: Praise the Lord for sustaining me safely through another month.  During this past month, several brothers and sisters in Christ whom I personally knew were called home to the Lord—some elderly, and some young. My heart has been deeply moved by this. I often reflect on how my own health, joy, and peace are special graces and blessings bestowed by God. As long as I still have life and breath, I will praise and exalt the Lord’s name, for He actually cares for someone as insignificant as me. Please continue to pray that I may have sufficient strength to remain faithful in serving Him in the days ahead.

· Sister Cindy Chiang: Please pray for the two busy meetings in August, the short-term missions in August and September, as well as the Center’s weekday administrative work, the preparation for various ministries, and weekend campus ministry. Pray that the Lord will grant me wisdom to manage my time well, along with good physical strength and spiritual power.

· Pastor Qinglong Liang: Please pray that the Lord will grant me a heart of greater obedience to the Holy Spirit as I prepare for the Bible Camp from July 26 to August 1, the Discipleship Training from August 2 to 8, and the short-term mission from August 21 to 30. Pray that I may actively and diligently serve at the Christian Witness Center, in Columbia, MO, and in churches and fellowships in surrounding areas. Pray also that my wife and I, with joyful hearts, can lead our three children in building a family after God’s own heart, and that the Lord will watch over our family members back home, drawing them to love the Lord more and serve His church.

· Pastor Charles Huang: Please pray for Pastor Huang’s pastoral and evangelistic ministries at the Champaign (IL) church, asking the Lord to grant him messages, wisdom, and spiritual power. Pray also for the church’s outreach ministries in the new semester and their collaboration with the short-term mission teams in August and September. Please pray for my parents, who have recently come to faith, that they may have a consistent church life. Lastly, please intercede for my son, Jeremy, as he starts college at Moody Bible Institute this year, praying for his studies and growth.

· Scott Jerome: 1) Prayers for Scott’s dad as he has started radiation and chemotherapy.  2) Prayers for the upcoming camps. Specifically for the teachers to be able to communicate the Word of the Lord and for the children/youth to have open ears and hearts to hear from the Lord. 3) Prayers for workers and children at VBS at our church.

4. For Finances: Pray for the various monthly financial needs of the center (general expenses, building funds, training expenses, etc.), asking the Lord to demonstrate His abundant provision and to allow more people to experience the blessing of giving.

5. For More Coworkers: Pray that the Lord would touch and guide more new coworkers to join the CWC ministry, so that the gospel work in the Midwest may experience even greater growth and flourishing.
Emmanuel

In the Lord,

Sister Cindy Chiang