April/May Update
Hey Everyone!
First, God bless you all for your continued prayers, financial support, and friendship. Here’s what’s been happening.
Also, check out my new website, rickeubanks.org for more information on the ministry, resources, and past newsletters.
NNYM MINISTRY + MISSIONS
Together ‘22 is coming! NNYM Texas is now focused on our big event in Dallas June 24th and 25th at the Cotton Bowl. It’s the 50th anniversary of Expo ’72 and we’re hoping for another “Jesus Movement” as a result of 2000 groups being trained in sharing the gospel and sent back to their communities all across the US. The lineup includes Josh MacDowell, Will Graham, Nick Hall, Francis Chan, Crowder, Lecrae, Chris Tomlin, and many others. (together22.pulse.org) Our NNYM Texas Team will lead a pre-event training in the Women’s building at Fair Park on Friday, June 24th, and will be training students and leaders in gospel conversations, soul care, and strategy for campus ministry. We will take groups out to share, and also distribute 1000 “preparing for the next school year” resource bags for leaders to develop a Prayer/Care/Share plan for the fall. If you could help us at the training event, please let me know!
The “Movement DFW” research was presented at our meeting at Dallas Theological Seminary at the end of March. I will meet with a group of strategists in Belton, Texas, on the last weekend of May, and using the research, we will develop a “Not on our Watch” strategy to address the trend of one million students leaving their faith every year.
In early April, I went to Portland to prepare for our July 1-8 Declaration Church/Chambers Creek Baptist Mission Trip. SEND missionaries Clay and LeAnn Holcomb, have us connected with four local pastors of church plants, including Zomi Bethel, made up of refugees from India and Myanmar. While there, I met with Washington State Catalyst, Phil Peters, and Network leaders Ron Marrs and Phil Ball at Western Seminary.
Also in April, Carol and I visited with the “Pray Corpus Christi” Team. Key leaders, Mance and Amanda Cutbirth with New Life Church are the parents of four children, following where God is at work, praying every Wednesday at schools, and overseeing 14 campus clubs as well.
Our Campus Summit Team finalized a campus strategist description and has a goal of 500 strategists nationwide. State, Regional, and Metro strategists will work with churches and ministries to further the Prayer/Care/Share Ministry across the nation.
Our NNYM Regional Team met in Hico for planning. We also visited with numerous groups, student pastors, and ministry leaders across the DFW metroplex and Southwestern Seminary on a very productive “Listen and Learn” Tour. And, at the Dallas Youth Pastor’s Summit, I refreshed and reconnected with a large number of youth leaders.
Our Houston Team supported the Kingdom Youth Conference in Houston and saw a large number of students come to Christ and got to promote “See You at the Pole” in their registration area thanks to Houston Net leader, John Butler.
LOCALLY/PERSONALLY
Robin Lyle and I, along with the Skit Guys, and Billy Beacham led the retirement worship event at Highland Lakes Baptist Camp in Austin honoring long-time camp director and beloved servant, Danny Dawdy.
Our home base, Declaration Church committed 5.5 million dollars over the next two years for their first worship and education space, “setting the table” for those they will reach in the future. They have a great kingdom vision! I enjoyed assisting with their Easter Egg hunt and partnering with the local YMCA where we served over 2000 people from the Spring community. I also got to enjoy a “men’s night barbecue” at Spring Baptist with my pastor friend and next-door neighbor, Barry Klempnauer. The “Bear Man” spoke to 250 men. Fourteen men came to Christ and ten re-committed their lives! I also got to hang out with friends, do some yard work, go to two dance recitals, (Declaration students and my grandaughter’s), and have some great “downtime” with my family and friends.
INTERNATIONALLY
Recently, I was able to preach to an unreached people group in Pakistan in May on a zoom call by invitation of my friend, Pastor Ashiq. I’ve also connected with two ministries there and will be teaching them the Bible, praying with them, and sharing strategies regularly.
My Links International family continues their mission work around the world and is still sending vital support to Ukrainian refugees. If you, your church, or your group would like to help with emergency relief, please click the button below:
Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. We couldn't do this work without your generosity.
Blessings,
Rick
PRAYER PARTNERS: Please continue to pray for:
The first week of June, I will be traveling to Cincinnati for our National Network Team meeting.
On June 9-11, I’m leading a team for a Sports Camp at Great Oaks Baptist in Richmond with Pastor Russ Davis and Trinity Baptist in Katy. We will also host a Sports Camp at Declaration Church and prepare for our mission trip to the Portland area.
Mission Portland, four church plants, and Mission Richmond at Great Oaks Baptist.
Together ‘22, for groups to catch the vision, come and be trained, and be sent to serve.
Ministry expenses in the midst of a time of high inflation, rising gas prices, and airfare increases.
That we will be able to identify our first 50 campus strategists by June 30th.
Movement DFW strategic meeting in Belton for a solid plan of action to reverse the trend of students leaving the faith.
My cousin, Ronnie as he takes care of his wife, Patti who has been ill for a very long time.
The Miles family for the loss of Naomi, my mentor/pastor’s wife at Crestmont Baptist.
Robin and Jill Lyle for the loss of their son in a car accident.
