Praying for Nations: China

Join us as we pray for China this week:

• Population of 1.3 billion people
• 3rd largest state in the world.
• 3rd largest economy
• Close to 500 distinct ethnic groups
• Literacy rate = 91%
• Official language is Mandarin Chinese
• Of the 296 languages spoken in China, only 24 have Bibles
• Average income per person is $3259/year ($8.93/day)
• The One-Child Policy makes having more than one child illegal and punishable by fines, and leads to forced abortions, human rights violations, female infanticide, & abandonment.
• The Chinese government attempts to control the teaching and influence of Christianity by forcing churches to register with their "denomination," the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (self-governance, self-support, self-propagation). If churches do not register with the government, they are subject to punishment and persecution if discovered.
• 105 million Chinese claim to be Christian (about 8%). 75M of these are evangelical.
• The Back to Jerusalem Movement aims to send 100,000 Chinese missionaries by foot toward the Middle East as a means to take the Gospel to unreached people groups.

Prayer Points:

Sunday: Pray that God will sustain persecuted brothers and sisters with perseverance and grace, and that their ability to suffer well will serve as a testimony to Jesus and the Gospel.

Monday: Pray for the protection, anointing, and provision of underground church leaders.

Tuesday: Pray for the adoption and care of babies whose lives are threatened due to the One-Child Policy.

Wednesday: Pray for the growing influence and activity of the Church in social causes such as orpan care, human trafficking, care for the elderly, etc.

Thursday: Pray for the translation of Bibles into the languages of people yet unreached.

Friday: Pray for the evangelization of Chinese students who study in North America before they return home for their career.

Saturday: Pray for Chinese Christians participating in the Back to Jerusalem Movement.

Saturday Senior Spotlight

This week's Saturday Senior Spotlight is highlighting

Bethany Gaines


1. What have you found to be most helpful in seeking the Lord? I have found that setting aside my personal time with the Lord every day is the most essential thing to truly seeking Him. I cannot have a growing relationship with Him if I am not staying in His Word and listening to His voice.
2. What easily fascinates you? People easily fascinate me. I'm kind of a people watcher and love to watch how they interact with one another.
3. Do you have any practical tips for memorizing scripture/reading the Bible? Discipline! It really takes diligence to stick to memorizing Scripture and reading God's Word everyday, and it is more than worth it. God speaks when we are devoted to His Word.
4. If you could speak any language what would it be? I would love to speak Spanish . I took 3 years in High School, but I honestly could not have a full conversation in Spanish. It would be very useful on mission trips and here in Memphis.
5. Reading or writing? I would rather read than write. I've gotten into reading lately, but I wish I was a naturally good writer.

Thanks for sharing with us Bethany!!

Happy Birthday & Giveaway!!!

February marks the one year Birthday of the Bellevue Girls Ministry Blog!

We've shared so much in the past year together...and we would love to know what you would like to see featured on the blog in the days to come. So leave us a comment below (with what you would like to see in the future & a way for us to contact you), and you could be a winner of this awesome giveaway!!!

(You have until Feb 28th at midnight to enter!!!)

Summer Preview

You'll want to mark these on your calendar and start praying about where God has you this summer:

June 13-17: Middle School Camp//Horn's Creek
June 14-22: Senior High Mission Project//Honduras
June 27-July 1: High School Camp//Panama City
July 4-7: SLU 101//Orlando
July 10-14: Jerusalem Project//Memphis
July 15-24: Choir Tour//Boston
July 18-22: SLU 201//Washington, D.C.
July 24-31: SLU 301//Europe

Sign ups are already underway for Honduras Mission Project and meetings will begin soon. For more details about any of the trips, visit http://www.bellevuestudents.org/ or call the Student Offices at 347.5690.

He "gets" you.

Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

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Have you ever been hesitant to open up to someone because you were afraid they wouldn't "get" you? "I can't relate to them," you might say, "they wouldn't understand." Inferiority, pain, disgust, hunger, anger, bitterness, agonizing grief or desire...have you experienced it? Why is it so easily forgotten that Jesus did?! But, He did it right the first time. He was spat on, degraded, laughed at, and completely denied by even some of His own followers. Would that provoke any of the emotions listed above? When we give in to the selfishness our emotions desire from us, this is when sin is birthed. When our lifestyle and actions reflect the emotions whirling in us we become slaves to them. Jesus Christ, our High Priest sympathizes with ALL our weaknesses...He can relate because He's been through it, but He can deliver us because He's stronger.

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1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except that which is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." He is stronger than temptation, stronger than sin, stronger than death! He is Faithful and can deliver you from it. The next time you think "you don't understand! You don't know how hard this life is! You don't have to battle temptation every single hour of every day!" Remember, Jesus did!! Hebrews 12:3-4 "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed in your striving against sin." He could've lashed out to those who didn't believe, He could've had all the pride in the world about His character and been justified, but He chose humility through the power of the Father. Will you?

~Jenny Clark

New Bellevue Students Blog

Bellevue Student Ministry now has a blog! What is the purpose of this blog? To share with one another what God is teaching us in our journey through the chronological One Year Bible, to ask questions about our reading, to dialogue with one another, and to encourage each other in the Body of Christ. We would love to hear what YOU are learning from this week's reading! Check it out here: Bellevue Students Blog

You can also access it from the Bellevue Students website at: www.bellevuestudents.org

Every Second Counts...

Americans collectively eat one hundred pounds of chocolate every second.

Every second, two Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.

People spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook.

It would take 273,600 seconds to read the Bible from start to finish.

There are 86,400 seconds in one day...how are you spending yours?

Praying for Nations: Central African Republic

This week we are praying for Central African Republic.

-The life expectancy is just over 50 years old.

-Just over 6% of the adult population is infected with HIV/AIDS (this # has decreased from over 15% less than 20 years ago).

-Only 48% of the population is literate

-Out of 71 indigenous languages, 5 have an entire Bible.

-Average income per person is $459/year ($1.26/day)

-They enjoy freedom of religion; 3.1M people profess Christian beliefs

-There are currently 99 missionaries from CAR serving in other parts of the world.

Prayer Points:

Sunday: Pray for continued vision and opportunity for the church to take the Gospel to unreached neighbors.

Monday: Pray for governmental stability led by ethical and moral leaders that will promote peace and welfare here.

Tuesday: Pray for a new emphasis on disciple-making to make up for spiritual immaturity and division in the church.

Wednesday: Pray for the development of new leaders to lead young, growing local churches.

Thursday: Pray for the growth of new, self-sustaining businesses that will provide jobs and services for the community.

Friday: Pray for additional Bible translation!

Saturday: Pray for increased respect for life and decent treatment among women and children, especially among believers.

Saturday Senior Spotlight

This Saturday we are "spotlighting"

Hannah Johnson!

1. What is a verse that has helped you in your walk with the Lord, and why?

Philippians 4:6, I worry about so many things that God is already in control of. This verse is a constant reminder to me to trust in Him, be thankful, and realize that I can only find peace in Him.

2. What is your favorite food?

Sushi and ice cream, but not together. Haha!

3. What advice would you give to encourage girls to seek after God?

That He is everything. As girls, sometimes we think we have it all under control. We have our group of friends, our nice things, etc., but those things can come and go. The only solid thing in my life is the Lord. I can give every part of me to the God who is in control of everything...how amazing is that? Having that security gives me such a realization that I cannot find security in anything else. Girls, nothing compares to finding that completeness in the Lord.

4. Do you have any random interests?

I love doing gymnastics!

5. Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate!

Thanks Hannah!! :)

Pssst...a Secret About DNOW

Can you believe DNOW is just a week away?! Well, I know a secret...even though it is just days away, you can still sign up! Just go to http://www.bellevuestudents.org/ or call the student offices at 347.5690. You will not want to miss the biggest weekend of the year!

Tell all your friends about February 18-20th, 2011!

Praying for Nations: Cameroon

This week we are praying together for Cameroon.

• Population is around 20 Million
• Life expectancy is 51 years
• 286 different people groups
• 68% Literacy rate
• 279 differentlanguages; only 20 have the entire Bible in their language (there are 93 works in progress)
• Average annual income = $1224 (or $3.35/day)
• 26% claim to be Muslim & 53% claim to be Christian
• If you lived in Cameroon you would...most likely have 2 to 3 times more brothers and sisters, have a 50% chance of living below the poverty line, and be 3 times more likely to be unemployed.

Prayer Points:

Sunday: Pray for God to raise up godly leaders that will make a positive contribution to their country and help put an end to widespread corruption.

Monday: Pray for unity between French and English speaking Cameroonians.

Tuesday: Pray for disciple-making leaders who will help turn the tide of spiritual laziness.

Wednesday: Pray for a cooperative spirit between Christian churches and denominations.

Thursday: Pray for visionary churches who will address social needs as a means to show and share the gospel.

Friday: Pray that God will raise up people who will give their lives to Bible translation for the more than 150 people groups who do not have one.

Saturday: Pray that North American Christians will assist their Cameroonian brothers and sisters with further training and resources so that they can in turn impact the lives of others.

Saturday Senior Spotlight

Welcome to a new feature of the Girls Ministry Blog - (drumroll...)

"Saturday Senior Spotlight"

We want you to get to know some of the great girls we have in student ministry and how God has impacted their lives.

Our first Senior is Jacci Wallace!

1. What has made the biggest impact on you this past year? While preparing for college, the cognition that I am growing up, leaving home, and starting over in a new city has made a decent impact on me this year. Simultaneously, the realization that I will not be alone --that God will be guiding me as I embark on this new chapter of my life--has been my epiphany of 2010. :)

2. What do you do for fun? I enjoy going shopping for fun!

3. What quality do you find most valuable in a friend? Godliness is the quality that I find most valuable in a friend. I enjoy being able to go to that friend for godly advice and for accountability in my walk with Him.

4. What has helped you the most in growing closer to the LORD? Having an accountability partner has helped me the most in growing closer to the Lord. Because my accountability partner is also my best friend, my sister that I never had ;), she knows and understands what I'm going through. Therefore, she knows how to apply what we have learned in our quiet times to my "situations." She is a blessing from the Lord.

5. High heels or flip flops? FLIP FLOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Jacci!

A Must Read for Moms of Daughters

Have you read this yet? I've read many books, websites, and other resources about raising godly daughters. Girls are facing a myriad of challenges, issues, pressures, and temptations in our world today. Dr. James Dobson's book, "Bringing Up Girls" has to be one of the best resources I have come across that addresses the culture that our girls live in today and equips parents on how to "bring up" godly daughters. You've got to check it out!