PWI NEWSLETTER Prayer Watch International

Number 1, Volume 8, 2005

Worshiping God Through Fasting and Prayer By Pastor Bjørn Pedersen

German Prayer School participants discussing class materials

PWI

P.O Box 3705 Flagstaff, AZ 86003-3705 Tel: 928-526-7779 Fax: 928-522-0101 [email protected] www.PrayerWatch.net

Text: Luke 2:36-38 Anna is described in Scriptures as a prophetess (Luke 2:36) who “never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37). Anna and Simeon were in the Temple when Joseph and Mary came with Jesus on the eighth day after his birth to be circumcised according to the Law of Moses (Luke 2:21-22). Simeon blessed Joseph and Mary and prophesized regarding Jesus. Anna spoke about the Christ child to everybody who would listen (Luke 2:38). Anna is an excellent Biblical example of an intercessor and Prayer Missionary: 1. She worshiped and served the Lord through prayer and intercession 2. Anna never left the Temple. In other words, she stayed in the presence of God at all times, always ready to worship or serve the Lord through her prayers and intercession 3. Her worship and service to the Lord included the regular discipline of fasting. Fasting, an act of humility, was given to God regularly producing in Anna great spiritual sensitivity. Anna and Simeon both recognized Jesus, the Son of God, as soon as He entered

the Temple. But none of the religious leaders even had a clue Jesus was the Messiah, the King of the Jews! 4. Part of her worship was thanksgiving to God (Luke 2:38) for His faithfulness in sending the promised Messiah. Anna recognized and acknowledged the child, Jesus, as the promised Messiah. 5. Anna recognized what God was doing and spoke to others about God's revelation to her (Luke 2:38) that Messiah had arrived. She then prophesied about Jesus. 6. No doubt, with John the Baptist, Simeon, and others, Anna had prepared the way for Jesus’ coming. She prayed that God would indeed fulfill His promise of sending the Messiah, the Savior of the world. 7. Anna was a source of encouragement to Joseph and Mary as they pondered what baby Jesus meant and what impact He would have in Israel and around the world (Luke 2:38). This Christmas season may we remember the important example of Anna to worship/serve the Lord through fasting and prayer. May we take time to worship Jesus and pray that He will become real to many more this holiday season. May we also prepare the way for Jesus’ second coming through worship in Spirit and Truth, fasting, and prayer! Be Blessed with a Season of Joy, Peace, and God's Anointed Presence!

Merry Christmas! Page 1

A Special Blessing: The Mighty Men of Prayer Ministry An important ministry that blossomed greatly during 2005 was the Mighty Men of Prayer Ministry (MMP). The inaugural meeting of the Mighty Men of Prayer Ministry took place at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, on December 13, 2004, with four men present. It was decided to start a Flagstaff MMP Camp with Pastor Steve Brown as the Camp Servant Leader. On December 15, a second inaugural meeting was held in the Andy Kist home in Peoria, Arizona. Three men were present and felt led by God to start a Phoenix MMP Camp. Andy Kist was appointed the first Camp Servant Leader of the Phoenix MMP Camp. The first official MMP camp prayer meetings took place on January 3 (Phoenix) and January 4 (Flagstaff). New MMP Camps have since been started in Bulgaria, Germany (Dresden, Hamburg, and Vogtland), and South Africa. In addition to these international camps, plans for new MMP Camps are under way in Alexandria, Minnesota, and Sandy, Utah. A MMP Servant Committee has been established to give leadership to the new prayer ministry. It is comprised of Pastor Steve Brown, Andy Kist, and Pastor Bjørn.

A few of the faithful Mighty Men of Prayer from the Flagstaff Camp

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Pastor Steve and John Brown working on the construction of the PWI HQ addition

Plans have been formulated to expand the Mighty Men of Prayer Ministry to become a Mighty Persons of Prayer Ministry including the Mighty Women of Prayer, the Mighty Seniors of Prayer, the Mighty Pastors of Prayer, the Mighty Teenagers of Prayer, and the Mighty Mentors of Prayer Ministries. If you are interested in finding out more about any one of these “Mighty Persons of Prayer” Ministries, please contact PWI at 928-526-7779 or e-mail, [email protected].

David Pedersen painting the new PWI HQ addition

Expanded USA PWI Offices PWI is growing rapidly and has been in need of more office space. In 2005, God generously provided much needed space. The Flagstaff PWI headquarters added more office space and a new computer system. In addition, Pastor Bjørn received a new office. These expansions created a much better working environment for all the PWI workers in Flagstaff as well as a more effective worldwide ministry operation. Pastor Steve Brown and his brother John were the general contractors on the Flagstaff office expansion. They did a great job for PWI. Thanks, partners, for a job well done! The PWI Prayer Center in Phoenix added another suite to its existing office. At the present time, yet another suite will be added. The three suites are utilized in the following manner: one is used for prayer, one is used for business and office operations, and the other will be used for training and teaching. Special thanks go to Andy and Michelle Kist for their generous support making the valuable space available to PWI. The Salt Lake Theological Seminary (SLTS) in Salt Lake City has made some excellent space available to PWI for an office in Utah. Special thanks to Dr. Don McCullough and the SLTS for their generosity.

2005 Celebration Reports Praise the Lord for His Goodness and Generosity! The year 2005 has been a most blessed and and Benjamin, were gracious hosts. The mission wonderful year for PWI. It was a year of God’s included a prayer school, preaching in several unparalled grace, faithfulness and generosity. These worship services, prayer day seminars in various towns, prayerwalking, and other prayer events. are some of the outstanding highlights: Team Bulgaria became a new international PWI A record-breaking 132 engagements have Team in May. Welcome, Team Bulgaria, to the PWI been completed and more events are scheduled international praying family! before the end of the year! This does not include Pastors Jeff Nellermoe and Bjørn Pedersen engagements done by the PWI Teams in Africa and traveled to Russia on an exploratory prayer India (11 prayer events). mission to St. Petersburg. The PWI team was Nine prayer schools were conducted in 2005. warmly welcomed by Bishop Arri M. Kugappi and Of the nine prayer schools concluded in 2005, two his staff. The Bishop extended an open door for were US National, four were international, and three PWI to return to Russia in 2006. were US national weekly prayer schools. The growth In July, Pastors Bjørn Pedersen, Justin in the weekly prayer school program is especially a Oforo (daily leader of PWI Team Tanzania), and wonderful blessing! Assistant General Secretary of the ELCT, Rev. September 2005 saw three weekly prayer Ambele Mwaipopo (from Tanzania), traveled to schools: one each in Flagstaff and Phoenix, Arizona, Southeastern Africa to conduct an exploratory and one weekly prayer school in Salt Lake City, Utah prayer mission to Malawi. Presiding Bishop Rev. PWI completed seven prayer explosions Dr. J. Bvumbwe, Dean Frölich, and Rev. F. M. Phiri warmly received the PWI team. Upon an invitaduring 2005 including one international prayer tion, the PWI team conducted a prayer school, four explosion in Berkovitza, Bulgaria. day seminars, and preached twice in the Lutheran A record breaking four concerts of prayer Cathedral in Lilongwe. The prayer school included were done in 2005. Add to this three prayer vigils nearly all of the pastors and evangelists of the Evanand all night prayer watches, and the PWI prayer gelical Lutheran Church of Malawi (ELCM). Many foundation was significantly strengthened during the prayer coordinators were appointed and anointed! past year.

The PWI Board of Directors approved a

A record setting three major international new plan to call Rev. Feston M. Phiri to serve as missions were conducted in 2005. These prayer Prayer Coordinator for Malawi on the PWI staff missions included outreaches to Norway, Bulgaria, 50% of the time and continue to serve the ELCM 50% of the time. Welcome to the new PWI Germany, Russia, and Malawi in East Africa. partners in Malawi and special welcome to the new It was a real joy to add the Twin Cities staff member, Rev. Feston M. Phiri! Chapter with the first PWI Branches in Maple Grove (Larry Pivec, servant leader), Rosemount (Bill & Karla Goodwin, co-servant leaders), and White Bear Lake (Jan & John Good, co-servant leaders) to PWI Team Upper Midwest (Minnesota). Pastor Bill and Karla Goodwin are the Chapter Co-Servant Leaders of the newly chartered Twin Cities Chapter. Welcome to the PWI family! The mission to Bulgaria was an inaugural mission. Pastor Joel Chiron (Servant Leader of Team Bulgaria) and his wife, Camelia, and sons Martin

Prayer Cruise VI in Germany and Austria L to R: Jean, Sarah, Fred, and Brian

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Two Prayer Cruises were completed in 2005. Prayer Cruise V, along the west coast of Norway, included prayerwalking 21 different Norwegian coastal towns. Prayer Cruise VI (first PWI river prayer cruise) took place in Germany and Austria along the river Danube, December 310. The PWI team prayerwalked many cities. The teaching and prayer times focused especially on identifying and “pulling down” enemy strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4) so renewal and revival can follow.

The recently formed San Diego Chapter: L to R: Lisa Potts, Dr. Steven and Jane Josephs, Shari Larsen, and Julie Levi

New Initiatives In 2006 (Please remember to pray for these items) 1. Strengthening of the PWI Prayer Foundation 2. Introducing a new Prayer Partnership Program 3. Expanded Fasting Programs for PWI partners 4. Expansion of the Weekly Prayer School Program 5. Launch of Prayer School Type VI – Strategic Level Intercession and Warfare Prayer 6. Training of more PWI Certified Teachers – Prayer Goal: 100 Certified Teachers by the end of 2006 7. Continued development of plans for the first PWI Prayer Tower and other prayer centers through the Global Development Committee 8. New PWI National and International Teams, Chapters, and Branches will be added to the PWI praying family in 2006 9. Publications and production of PWI prayer materials – books, workbooks, CDs, DVDs, audio cassettes, etc. 10. New outreaches: Central America – Honduras and Nicaragua (March 2006) 11. New offices: Invitation to start an office in Bulgaria. The PWI African partners are eager to expand existing office space (Tanzania) 12. More PWI staff is needed. Ask God to send more workers into the harvest fields including PWI’s!

A new PWI Chapter was chartered in San Diego on November 10. It is part of PWI Team California. The Servant Leader of the newly chartered PWI Chapter is Julie Levi a member of Peñasquitos Lutheran Church. Welcome! There were many anointed and powerful prayer conferences, prayer seminars, prayer carousels, and prayer fairs throughout 2005. All glory and honor to God!

Rev. Stephen praying over the phone

New PWI Office In India! PWI opened a new mission office in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, August 28, 2005. Up to this time, PWI had shared offices with the United Evangelical Mission of India (UEMI). PWI expresses deep appreciation to Pastor John Peter Kirubagaran, the Executive Secretary of UEMI and UEMI for their generosity during years of joint ministry in India. UEMI will continue to be a Partner Ministry with PWI. The PWI global praying family extends warm congratulations to Pastor Stephen Jackayya, the PWI India Director, and his wife and ministry partner, Shakila, on the opening of the new PWI Prayer Center at Lazar Road Layout, Frazer Town, Bangalore City, Karnataka, India! Page 4

May God continue to richly bless and greatly expand the ministry of PWI Team India in the present and the future! Please remember this important mission station in your prayers.

Prayer Requests Pray for PWI to be faithful to God, His call, and His vision entrusted to PWI Pray for God's complete and perfect will, time, and places to be done Pray for abounding and abiding fruit from all PWI engagements (past and future) Pray for a significant strengthening of the PWI prayer foundation in 2006 Pray for the protection-direction-favor over the PWI Prayer Missionary Ministry Pray for God to bless the efforts of the Global Development Committee to provide prayer spaces and prayer places for the PWI Prayer Missionaries Pray for Holy Spirit guidance in the development of Prayer Schools Type VI and Type VII Pray for God to call and train 100 certified PWI Teachers before the end of 2006 Pray for continued growth of the Regular and Weekly Prayer School Programs Pray for revival in Bulgaria and blessing over the newly formed PWI team in Bulgaria Pray for blessing, strength, and wisdom for Rev. F. M. Phiri in Malawi – the National Prayer Coordinator for Malawi and the newest member of PWI’s international staff Pray for all the new PWI Teams, Chapters, and Branches: Internationals – Team Bulgaria and Team Malawi; USA – San Diego Chapter and Twin Cities Chapter with Maple Grove, Rosemount, and White Bear Lake Branches

Pastor Duane, Sarah, and Pastor Bjorn with Twin City Chapter Leaders Larry, Karla, and Pastors Bill and Craig

Important PWI Anniversaries First, 2005 marks the Tenth Anniversary of Prayer Watch International’s official beginning. It was in 1995 the name Prayer Watch International was given by the Holy Spirit and legally secured. Second, April 27, 2006, is the Twentieth Anniversary of God’s prayer vision given to Pastor Bjørn in Alexandria, Minnesota. April 27 is probably the most important date for PWI and its worldwide mission. You are encouraged to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary by expressing gratitude and praise to God for the giving of His vision and for providing so many anointed opportunities to fulfill it. Give glory and To God be all the glory! honor and praise to God for His faithfulness, goodness, and generosity!

Who said Leadership Training Seminars aren't fun?!

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Upcoming PWI Events Thank you!

Thanks to all of you who have supported PWI through prayer, words of encouragement, volunteering in one of many ways, and financial gifts. Your contributions makes the work of PWI a possibility.

More prayer events are being scheduled. See our website for the latest updates and information on Prayer Schools: www.PrayerWatch.net

January: 10-12 Leadership Training Seminar Type 13 in Rosemount, MN 16-21 Prayer School Type 4 in Willmar, MN February: 6-8 International Leadership Training Seminar Type 13 in Schilbach, Germany 10-13 International Mini Prayer School Type 4 in Schilbach, Germany March: 3 Leadership Training Seminar in Salt Lake City, UT* 18-31 Prayer Mission to Honduras and Nicaragua April: 2 Prayer Conference in Tempe, AZ 7-8 Prayer Conference in Henderson, NV 24-29 Prayer School Type 5 in Las Cruces, NM May: 8-21 Prayer Mission to Russia* 22-June 5 Prayer Mission to Bulgaria June: 3-10 Prayer School Type 1A in Henderson, NV 14-17 Prayer Quake in Phoenix, AZ 19-23 Prayer School Type 4 in Flagstaff, AZ July: 4-August 2 Africa Prayer Mission 6 September: 25 Start of PWI Weekly Prayer School Programs October: (L to R): Rev. Ambele Mwaipopo (of Tanzania), 14-21 Prayer School Type 2 in Kingsburg, CA Rev. F.M. Phiri (of Malawi), and Justin Oforo *Tentatively scheduled (of Tanzania)

AUTOMATIC CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM Enjoy the personal satisfaction of being part of Prayer Watch International's exciting prayer and teaching ministry all around the world by taking advantage of this convenient way of contributing to PWI. Here are two ways you can utilize this method of giving: 1) Using your credit card 2) Using an automatic draft from your bank

Gifts have been given to PWI in loving memory of: Guy Christian David Ryan From Carole Ryan and William & Ethelyn Smith Donna Wilkening

END-OF-YEAR GIFTS PWI

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You Are A Special Gift From God! Page 6

Rev. Jeff Nellermoe speaking in Bulgaria with Rev. Joel Chiron translating