Spiess
AMF’s New Prayer Chaplain
In AMF we understand the priority of prayer. In fact, many of us live by the motto “Pray First.” To help us communicate prayer needs and remember to pray for each other, Stan Spiess recently became AMF’s prayer chaplain. The challenge before Stan and his wife, Jan, is to develop a prayer ministry that ensures that people, ministries, joys, and concerns are brought boldly before the Throne of Grace in a timely manner.
Stan says, “Most of us in this mission have gotten used to using the technology of computers and email, and thus we often hear the question, ‘Why does it take us so long to get prayer requests distributed?’ In this new position Jan and I have accepted the obligation of first, distributing prayer requests. . . . Beyond that, the Lord has laid it on our hearts to build a team of people who will pray regularly and promptly.”
While the details of how this new prayer ministry will work are not yet finalized, the Spiesses are currently working on the idea of setting up a system using “prayer captains” and “knee benders.” Prayer captains will pray regularly and personally for a specific group of missionaries who are assigned to them. Stan and Jan will ask missionaries to provide brief profiles to their prayer captains so they will know how to pray for them, their ministries, and their families. Prayer captains will also be responsible for passing on “knee benders,” urgent or priority prayer needs, to the entire mission family for immediate prayer.
With a prayer team in place, those with concerns and needs will know that someone who really cares is praying for them. At the same time, missionaries will enjoy the benefits of praying for each other regularly.
Enthusiastic about his new role, Stan says, “In my thirty-plus years with AMF I have always been overwhelmed by how much we are a family. Families that are close to the Lord pray together even when they are of necessity scattered. We are a family that is scattered and yearns to be close. Communication of this type will help us to cross those miles in Spirit, to have hearts that are closely knit, and to care for one another. . . . The heart and substance of this ministry will be caring for one another.”
Stan and Jan have served with AMF since 1984 as church missionaries, camp missionaries, area missionaries, and area coordinators. Most recently, Stan was the regional director of the Southwest Region. As Stan and Jan bless us with their prayers on our behalf, let’s continue to pray for their health needs, as well.
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