Evangelist launches initiatives and tools for Armenian church

11 May, 2007

(MNN) -- Evangelist Sammy Tippit is in Armenia to launch a training series among the Armenian believers.

Given the context, there are some security concerns, but he says the materials will also be helpful for the church in the nearby Islamic republics. "We're going to release an initiative: 'Praying For Your Family,' which we have done in Brazil, here in the United States, Iran and other places. I'm going to be speaking to pastors and leaders from around the country about 'Praying For Your Family.'"

STM is in partnership with "The Brotherhood," a renewal movement within the Apostolic (Orthodox) Church of Armenia. This group will be running the grassroots part of the program. (They've previously published two of Tippit's books, The Prayer Factor and Fire in Your Heart.)

The goal with this initiative is to try to help people learn how to pray effectively and Biblically for their families.

Many are responding to the Gospel throughout the region, and that's why Christian leaders have asked STM to provide leadership training. They desperately need people to lead small Bible study groups. This training could play a role in one of the most strategic times of training leaders in the Islamic world.

Tippit says, "I believe that this will result in many family members coming to Christ and many families growing closer to one another. That will be the first thing that we will do."

Then he's speaking to a conference of church leaders about "8 truths to live or die by," a topic that's recently been close to his heart. "I have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Of course, anytime you get that kind of a diagnosis, it causes you to reflect deeply on the things which are really important. So I just thought it would be appropriate at this time to speak about the things that are the most important in ministry."

The Armenia trip will be his last overseas before his prostate cancer surgery. Tippit explains, in his blog, that his schedule remains busy right up until his surgery is scheduled. "I will also speak at the Global Day of Prayer in San Antonio, Texas, at the end of May. I preach in June in Florida and also at the Sunday morning worship service at the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio. Then we launch Praying for Your Family in Canada right before I have my surgery."

He plans on recuperating for two months before getting back into the "swing of things." Pray that the surgery goes well and that Tippit heals quickly. Pray, too, that Tex will continue to experience the peace of God.



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