Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Prayer Focus - Latin America North
Tikal, Mayan Ruins, Temple I, The Great Jaguar, Main Plaza, Guatemala
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
Even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me
Because He is at my right hand
I will not be shaken.
(Psalm 16:7-8)
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You that as these verses say, You speak to me even when I am not aware of it. Your Spirit is working in my life, in the back of my mind, guiding me, showing me Your way, teaching me Your lessons. Sometimes I am reminded of this when something comes up and I know immediately what Your answer is to it. So, I ask in this moment that You continue to work in my mind and in my heart. I want You to have free rein in me. Make me into what You want me to be in every way. As the psalmist says, “I have set You before me.” That gives me confidence for this day, dear Lord. Lead me forward. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Here's a catchy song from The Salvation Army in Cuba with a video that describes The Salvation Army.
Background of the
Latin America North Territory
The countries comprising the Latin America North Territory are as follows: Panama, Costa Rica, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua – ten countries in all. They were all at one time part of the Spanish Empire and gained their independence following Simón Bolívar’s successful revolt in South America. Although not all the countries were part of this revolt, Spain saw it could not hold its possessions in the New World and granted all of them independence. Although the history of each country varies, there are common themes.
The countries have been marked by dictatorships, revolts, and political instability over the years. Foreign interference has only made matters worse. This area is the center of the drug trade and with that gangs and cartels have filled the power vacuum. In some cases, they are the operative government in parts of the various countries. There are high levels of unemployment, widespread poverty and between the endemic violence and dim prospects, illegal attempts to emigrate from the region, particularly into the United States.
Agriculture has been the traditional driver of the economy, but tourism has been playing a larger role. In Venezuela, there are vast oil reserves but mismanagement by the government has kept this from benefiting the larger population.
On the religious scene, Christianity claims over 95% of the population. The Roman Catholic Church has in the past had a powerful hold in the region, but this is no longer the case. Evangelicals and charismatics are growing at a steady and healthy rate in every country in the territory.
The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army work commenced in the Isthmus of Panama in 1904, in Costa Rica in 1907, Cuba in 1918, Venezuela in 1972, Guatemala in 1976, Columbia in 1985, El Salvador in 1989, the Dominican Republic in 1995, Honduras in 2000 and in Nicaragua in 2010. The territory was formed in October 1, 1976 with Mexico but was reformed on September 1, 1998 when Mexico became a separate command.
Facts, Stats and Leadership of the
Latin America North Territory
- Total population to fish and disciple: 150,675,607
- 152 officers, 14 cadets, 182 employees
- 25 retired officers
- 67 corps, 2 outposts
- 5,349 senior soldiers
- 1,419 adherents
- 2,539 junior soldiers
Leadership
Commissioner Merle Heatwole – Territorial Commander
Commissioner Dawn Heatwole – Territorial President of Women’s Ministries
Lt. Colonel Juan Mercado – Chief Secretary
Lt. Colonel Lydia Mercado – Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries/Leader Development and Education
Prayer Requests for the
Latin America North Territory
We thank God for:
- The ITMA event (Territorial Institute of Music and Art) that took place from July 8 to 13.
- Successful fund-raising projects supported by the territory and in collaboration with SAWSO.
- We thank the Lord for the inauguration of a Salvation Army Christian School in the Dominican Republic Region and the opening of the Children's Dining Room in the Venezuela Region.
- For the Women's Camps and Meetings that have been carried out by Women's Ministries.
- We thank the Lord for the cadets who are preparing to be officers of The Salvation Army.
- Praise the Lord for the successful launching of IFAS (International Financial & Accounting Standards) system
Please pray for:
- Pray for the officers and leaders of the territory, that they may feel joy, strength, and encouragement in their ministry and personal life.
- Pray for healing for those officers whose health is affected.
- Please, pray for the officers who have changes of appointment. May they have a smooth transition and blossom in their new places of ministry.
- We yearn for soldiers to be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and respond to the call to serve full-time as officers.
- Pray for new initiatives and resources for the sustainability of the mission throughout our territory.
USA Southern Territory
Prayer Requests
- The family of Lt. Colonel Wesley Faulkner, who was recently Promoted to Glory
- The family of Mrs. Zane Kelly, mother of Captain Odessa Smith, who was recently Promoted to Glory
- Major Lynda Thornhill, Territorial Mission, Evangelism and Cultural Ministries Secretary
- Finance Department
- Anthony Jones, Operations Technical Analyst, THQ Donor Management Services
- Sheri Clark, Project Manager, Information Technology
- Katherine Guevara, Administrative Assistant, Human Resources
- Christopher Corbitt, Music & Gospel Arts Director, EBC
- Cadet Lorine Desardouin
- Captain Elyse Doborwicz, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Arkansas & Oklahoma Division
- Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander, NHQ
- Majors Zachary & Shelley Bell, officers, cadets and employees at the Evangeline Booth College
- Anti-Human Trafficking
- Anonymous request that God will help those going through difficult trials and that in those they will see God’s beacon of light; request that God will be with those who commute to work each day and take it for granted that they will return home safely. Asking God to make them mindful of their need for His protection
Something to Consider
Do not be surprised if you face intense temptation.
Maybe you just experienced a real breakthrough with God, or a time when He felt real to you: don’t be discouraged if you are then hit by fierce temptation.
Remember it was after Jesus was baptized that He went into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:1-7). “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master,” Jesus said (Matthew 10:24). If He was tempted, you will be tempted too.
So don’t be distressed by these temptations. “Consider it a sheer gift, friends,” wrote James, “when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors” (James 1:2,3 TM). Your trials and temptations lead you into a deeper acquaintance with Jesus.
And Jesus truly understands. “Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18 NLT). If you were going through an ordeal – at work or in your family or perhaps an illness – you would value a conversation with someone who has passed through a similar ordeal. The Bible says about Jesus: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings as we do, yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT).
-Samuel Logan Brengle
From Brengle for Today
By Peter Farthing
Benediction
In whatever happens today, may God make Himself known to you in every circumstance so that your assurance will match your trust in Him. Amen.
Zach Williams and Dolly Parton join together to remind us “There Was Jesus.”