Cox Newsletter - July 2007

Click on the newsletter for a larger view

Prayer Update - 6/1/07

Dear Praying Friends,

I just love calling you "praying friends" and knowing you REALLY are praying for us! Today, I received two news bulletins from countries where EGM serves. I'm including a part of the news bulletin so you can be aware as you pray. It is a stark reminder of the need to regularly uplift the church leaders in these countries. We count it a privilege to stand with the children's ministry leaders in churches throughout Belarus and Egypt. After reading this information, would you be willing to pray for church leaders in these two countries, asking God to encourage and bless them even as they are facing opposition? Thanks for praying…

Joe


EGYPT
On May 11, a mob of Muslims attacked Christians in Bahma village south of Cairo after hearing rumors that a church was to be built in the village without government permission. Muslims left their Friday prayers and attacked the homes and shops of Christians, setting the buildings on fire. At least 10 Coptic Christians were injured in the attack. People from both faiths took up sticks and hatchets and began hurling bricks and firebombs at each other. At least 27 houses and shops were damaged by fire. At last report, 59 Muslims have been arrested on charges of arson and spreading sectarian strife.

BELARUS
Ten state officials raided the Pentecost service of John the Baptist Pentecostal Church in the capital Minsk yesterday (27 May). Pastor Antoni Bokun was arrested, held overnight at a police station and fined 20 times the minimum monthly wage today (28 May) for holding an "unsanctioned mass meeting". The church – which has state registration – has been refused permission to rent premises for public worship, so has to meet in a private home. Local lawyer Sergei Lukanin told Forum 18 that Pastor Bokun told the court he had broken the law only because it went against the law of God. Fellow church member Jaroslaw Lukasik, a Polish citizen married to a Belarusian, who faces deportation in early June, was also held for several hours. Although he did not preach at the service, he faces administrative charges on accusations of conducting unauthorized religious activity as a foreign citizen and hence violating laws on the presence of foreign citizens in Belarus.

Prayer Update - 5/12/07

Hello, praying friends!

So many of you prayed for us as I took off for Romania and Egypt in April. Thank you! The trip to Romania was an amazing time as we were able to gather with all our Every Generation Ministries leaders from the different countries to pray and plan and share together. So many languages, and yet God was able to help us communicate and envision His directions for the future of the ministry world-wide! The children's workers conference just prior in Bucharest was a special time, too. How exciting to see teachers who have received very little training connect with God's children's ministry model found in Deuteronomy 6! Many had walked several miles to attend - and in pouring rain, too! One teacher shared how much it meant to receive encouragement and support because her church leaders were still growing in their ability to appreciate and value children's ministry.

In Egypt, between ministry meetings, I had the privilege of riding a horse through the sand to see the Pyramids in Cairo - thrilling! But even more exciting than this was the view of children's workers in Alexandria who were hungry for help to reach the children in their churches. Many could not read or write, but were longing for instruction in children's ministry methods and principles. Every break was filled with questions and conversations about children's ministry issues - all done through an Arabic translator! What a blessing to know you were with me through prayer as I met each challenge along this journey.

We realized recently that we've had guests in our home the large majority of the time since January. We're so thankful for the large home God has provided for us during this season. It appears that our house will not be available for us to rent past the end of our lease in July, so we've started the search for a new place. We're looking forward to experiencing God's perfect provision! Julie has been used of the Lord in this hospitality ministry but has also been active in the EGM office, assisting our president, Daniel Watts, with a number of projects. She's been very active in the recruitment and placement of new staff members, in communicating with American churches who want to learn about EGM and in supporting our staff relationally both here in the US and around the world.

Julie and I spent a few minutes reflecting recently on things that are personal burdens on our hearts in these days. May I share a few with you and ask you to pray with us?

1. Our son, Aaron's girlfriend, Yaneth, has recently presented us with a new grandson, Noah James Cox, born April 30. He is precious!

We so much want to be a positive influence in his life and are trusting the Lord to use this little one to bring Aaron back to a close relationship with God. We're praying Noah will "walk with God" as the biblical Noah did. The circumstances of Noah's birth do not take away the value God has placed on his little life, but they do present a challenge to us as we seek to navigate the relationships and connect with Noah, all the while maintaining our testimony in the situation. Special care is needed but the Lord can help us. Will you pray about it with us?

2. We have been attending a new church for the last month - Calvary Chapel of the Temecula Valley - and have enjoyed very much the teaching, fellowship and worship. Is this God's choice as our new church home? We don't know, but we'd love for Him to reveal this to us so we can settle and "connect" in fellowship and service. This is a BIG need for all of us.

3. Our housing situation (as described above) is a concern to us and is always on our minds even though we're determined not to worry about it. We've also determined that it is time to say goodbye to our 1998 Crown Victoria as the repair expenses are going out of control and need to find a replacement vehicle. God has already chosen out next home and vehicle. We're looking forward to His clear guidance as you pray for us.

4. We are in need of some destressing and recharging. We have a chance to take a little trip next week that would make it possible for the 3 of us to spend time together and just plain RELAX. A friend of EGM has made this trip possible and we are so thankful. It comes at a wonderful time. Please pray for God's Spirit to rejuvenate and refresh us.

Thank you so much for lifting our needs to the Lord. We are so thankful for God's provision of a team like you to stand with us as we seek to do our part in seeing children transformed in Christ through His church around the world. Please let us know how we can pray for you, as well!

Joe (for Julie and Jonathan)

Prayer Update 3/25/07

Dear Prayer Partners,

This afternoon, I feel so blessed to be able to email you from Oradea, Romania! I really need your prayers at this time, so even though you just got a newsletter from Julie and me, I thought I'd send along this prayer reminder email.

HEALTH ISSUES: Almost 2 weeks ago, I had a minor surgical procedure called "somnoplasty" done on my nasal passages. This was done to help with my chronic sinus infections over the last several years. The simple procedure went well, with the exception of a strange reaction to the anesthetic. However, following the surgery, I immediately got sick with a coughing/fever thing. It was so frustrating because I was trying to prepare for the trip I am now on, but was so ill, I could barely sit up to work at the computer at times. Beginning early this week, I slowly improved and was able to get on the airplane to Bucharest, Romania on Wednesday morning. I am feeling much better than I was, but still am still not 100%, so please pray for me in this area as international travel can be taxing under even the best circumstances.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY # 1: Your prayers and gifts have made it possible once again for me to be in Romania for two wonderful events. The first event was completed this weekend - a children's worker's conference in Bucharest. About 45 children's workers gathered for the 2-day training conference. What a blessing to be with them. About 5 of the attendees were teachers I had met when I was in Romania last October, so that was a real blessing to see them "coming back for more" and really IMPLEMENTING what they have learned. For many who attended, it was their first exposure to training on true transformational Bible teaching in children's ministry. Some were discouraged because they had received NO encouragement from their church leaders. Many were looking for curriculum resources - a need we hope to meet in the near future. One pastor who came even said he plans to use some of the principles as he prepares sermons for adults. Imagine that!

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY #2: My second goal while here in Romania is to host the first ever International Director's Summit - a week long meeting of our directors from around the world. All our Every Generation Ministries countries will be represented and we feel this is a critical time to bring the international team together as we move toward to the future. I believe this time will be a landmark event for us and will positively impact our future growth and development of the ministry. One of the major topics will be the International Curriculum Initiative, EGM's answer to the worldwide call from children's workers for culturally relevant children's ministry curriculum. Please pray for relationships to develop and for God's wisdom to prevail as we work through several thorny issues.

UPCOMING TRAVEL: I will arrive back in California on April 2nd and will be traveling to Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt April 8-15 for board meetings, staff development and a children's worker's conference. Our family enjoyed having all of February and most of March together at home and we were able to host lots of folks in our home during that time. However, it is never easy to say goodbye. In the true Christian spirit of sharing, I gave my cold (or whatever it was) to Julie and Jon so they were sick when I left. We are always counting on your prayers for ALL of us (Joe, Julie and Jonathan) when I am away on ministry trips.

With love and appreciation for your partnership in ministry,

Joe

PS: Our conference is being held in a humble little hotel called Vila Elim. It's very clean and comfortable and perfect for our needs. We meet and eat in the dining room. Amazingly the price is only $26 dollars per room per day (USD) including 3 meals for all who stay! One of the local church members owns it and is giving us a special price because they believe in EGM's ministry. If you're interested in seeing what a Romanian hotel looks like, check this link:

http://www.tourismguide.ro/tgr/pensiunea_vila_elim_baile_1_mai_1004.php

Cox Newsletter - March 2007 (part 1)

Click on the newsletter for a larger view

Cox Newsletter - March 2007 (part 2)

Click on the newsletter for a larger view

Prayer Update - 1/21/07

Dear Praying Friends:

I’m writing to you today from the airport in Amsterdam, on my way to Cairo. It’s hard to believe that I am typing those words to you, but it’s true.

Later today, I will begin three days of meetings with our Every Generation Ministries staff and board in Egypt to conduct board training, do strategic planning and participate in their board meeting. I’m really looking forward to meeting these precious people whom I’ve been praying for and serving (but haven’t met) since joining the EGM team. God is doing some phenomenal things among children’s workers in Egyptian churches. I’m excited to see it first hand! We are looking to expand our ministry significantly in a number of Middle East countries over the course of the next few years. Your prayers make all the difference!

Here are some prayer needs. I’m so thankful I can count on you to REALLY pray for these needs!

Pray for Julie and Jonathan while I am away. Julie will be leaving on Tuesday to represent EGM at the Children’s Pastors Conference in Orlando, Florida. I’ll join her part way through the conference and we’ll return together on the 29th. (Confused? See itinerary below.) Jonathan is staying with his good friend, Todd. Pray for Julie as she represents EGM at the conference. We are focusing to a large extent on the task of recruitment for some key ministry positions. Pray we connect with the people God has called to serve with EGM.

Pray for me as I am exposed to the unique culture of Egypt for the first time. God has been so faithful in this area in the past, I know I can count on Him. Please pray for great relationships to begin as I will be representing EGM on the Egypt board and will travel there quarterly until a Middle East regional director of God's choosing is called.

Pray for safety for the Egyptian EGM team members. Even being seen with us as American Christians opens them up for increased persecution at times.

Pray for my coworker, John Chapman, as he transitions from Middle East regional director to being deployed by EGM to Peru.


Our Itinerary (Please follow us with your prayers each day!)

Sat, January 20 - Joe leaves for Cairo via Amsterdam

Sun, January 21 - Joe conducts Board Orientation for Egypt board members

Mon, January 22 - Joe leads strategic planning training and exercise with Egypt board and staff. Julie departs for Orlando Children’s Pastors Conference

January 23-27 - Children’s Pastors Conference

Thu, January 25 - Joe travels from Cairo to Orlando

Sun, January 28 - Joe and Julie travel from Orlando to California


We love and appreciate each of you!

Joe (for the Coxes)