Sunday, September 19 - Sunday, September 26, 2021
Called to a Chosen People
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. - 1 Peter 2:9
When Peter wrote these words, he wrote them with a mostly Gentile audience in mind. In other words, he was writing to believers who did not share his Jewish background. That makes this an extremely provocative statement! In the years prior, it was believed that the Jewish people were the only ‘chosen race’ and ‘holy nation’. But now, through Christ, God was bringing together a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to be his chosen people.
This new and diverse people, the Church, could now identify as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and as a people for God’s own possession. They would exist for Him and His glory by proclaiming the praises of him who called them out of darkness and into light. That is what we do as the Church and that is what we invite people to know when we go to unreached people groups and tell them the good news of Jesus. We are inviting them to be a part of His chosen and set-apart people. We are inviting them to become a part of this new and diverse family.
Today, Central Asia is a region where very few people have access to the good news of Jesus. It is also a part of the world that has been deeply impacted by longstanding sectarian violence and international conflict. Despite these challenges, several years ago God called us as a local church to adopt a people group whose homeland is in Central Asia. He has called us to invite them to join our family—to step out of darkness and into Christ’s light. By God’s grace, we’ve been able to send and join in supporting many Global Ministry Partners who also feel called to this people. Our hope and prayer is that God will use this Global Ministry Conference to help us take brave new steps in this calling.
When Peter wrote these words, he wrote them with a mostly Gentile audience in mind. In other words, he was writing to believers who did not share his Jewish background. That makes this an extremely provocative statement! In the years prior, it was believed that the Jewish people were the only ‘chosen race’ and ‘holy nation’. But now, through Christ, God was bringing together a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to be his chosen people.
This new and diverse people, the Church, could now identify as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and as a people for God’s own possession. They would exist for Him and His glory by proclaiming the praises of him who called them out of darkness and into light. That is what we do as the Church and that is what we invite people to know when we go to unreached people groups and tell them the good news of Jesus. We are inviting them to be a part of His chosen and set-apart people. We are inviting them to become a part of this new and diverse family.
Today, Central Asia is a region where very few people have access to the good news of Jesus. It is also a part of the world that has been deeply impacted by longstanding sectarian violence and international conflict. Despite these challenges, several years ago God called us as a local church to adopt a people group whose homeland is in Central Asia. He has called us to invite them to join our family—to step out of darkness and into Christ’s light. By God’s grace, we’ve been able to send and join in supporting many Global Ministry Partners who also feel called to this people. Our hope and prayer is that God will use this Global Ministry Conference to help us take brave new steps in this calling.
Conference Schedule of Events
Sunday, September 19
Special Discipleship Class
When They Come to You: Ministering to Local Refugees
9AM, Room 202/203
God is bringing people from Central Asia to the Peninsula, and we have the chance to welcome them with the love of Jesus. PCC Associate Global Ministry Partner Mary David will share some of the Biblical basis for ministering to refugees as well as practical ways for us to do it.
Prayer for the Persecuted Church
10:15-10:45AM, Room 204
The small number of believers that are in Central Asia experience significant persecution from local authorities, militant groups, and even their own family. Join us as we pray for God to sustain our brothers and sisters and provide for their needs.
Global Ministry Partner Luncheon
12:15PM, Café
God is building His church in Central Asia and PCC has the privilege of being a part of it through the loving and faithful witness of Global Ministry Partners like Betsy B. She and others will join us for lunch where we’ll learn more about their life and ministry.
Monday, September 20
The Refugee Experience
7:00-8:30PM
Hear directly from local refugees who were relocated to the Peninsula from Central Asia. To help our guests feel more comfortable sharing, we will divide into women and men to hear their stories. Register for childcare at bit.ly/pccec2021.
Tuesday, September 21
Tuesday Morning Prayer for Central Asia
6:30AM, Hall A
Join us for an intimate time of prayer for Central Asia. We’ll pray for our partners, the persecuted church in Central Asia, and for the needs and concerns of fellow PCCers and other local ministries too.
Wednesday, September 22
Out of Darkness & Into Light
7:30PM, PCC
At this event we will hear from two special guest speakers. Rev. Charles Beckett will share about his daughter, Cheryl, who was martyred by a militant group in 2010 when she was just 32 years old and serving to advance the Gospel as a medical volunteer in Central Asia. Dr. Zane Pratt will also cast vision for the needed work in Central Asia. Pratt serves as the Vice President of Training for the IMB of the Southern Baptist Convention. He previously served 24 years in an Islamic context with the IMB as a church planter and regional leader in Central Asia. This event will be livestreamed at bit.ly/gmcfall21ood. Limited childcare is available. Register for childcare at bit.ly/pccec2021.
Saturday, September 25
Charter Boat Fishing Excursion
12:15PM, Old Point Comfort Marina K Dock (150 McNair Drive Hampton)
This is a fun recreational event where you will get to rub shoulders with folks from outside our church who are also invested in Central Asia* as we spend the afternoon fishing together on a Hampton Roads Charter Boat. All fishing poles and supplies are included. Bring water, sunscreen, and get ready for some fun! Contact Chelsea Nobles at cnobles@pccyorktown.com with any questions. The cost is $55/person and you can register at bit.ly/gmcfishing21.
*We are hosting a separate conference during the same week for global partners, agencies, and representatives from other churches that are also focused on work in Central Asia.
Sunday, September 26
Special Discipleship Class
Scripture Through Central-Asian Eyes
9AM, Room 202/203
The people of Central Asia live in a culture that looks a lot more like the culture of Jesus’ day than we Westerners do. Learn how they might interpret familiar stories from Scripture and why we, too, can learn from looking at these stories through a different cultural lens. PCC Associate Global Ministry Partner Betsy B. will also share stories and experiences from her time among this culture so foreign to us, but so loved by Jesus.
Night of Praise and Prayer
6:00PM, Halls ABC
In Acts 13 when Paul and Barnabas were called by the Holy Spirit to go and proclaim the Gospel in far off lands, it happened during a time of gathered worship. In this sense, worship is both the fuel and the goal of global ministry. Worship stirs us to share the good news and we share the good news because we want all nations to join us in worship. During this evening of worship we’ll lift our voices to God. In between songs we’ll also hear stories, updates, and prayer requests from Global Partners that we’ll respond to in prayer. The evening will conclude with a time of fellowship and refreshments. Limited childcare is provided. Register for childcare at bit.ly/pccec2021.
Special Discipleship Class
When They Come to You: Ministering to Local Refugees
9AM, Room 202/203
God is bringing people from Central Asia to the Peninsula, and we have the chance to welcome them with the love of Jesus. PCC Associate Global Ministry Partner Mary David will share some of the Biblical basis for ministering to refugees as well as practical ways for us to do it.
Prayer for the Persecuted Church
10:15-10:45AM, Room 204
The small number of believers that are in Central Asia experience significant persecution from local authorities, militant groups, and even their own family. Join us as we pray for God to sustain our brothers and sisters and provide for their needs.
Global Ministry Partner Luncheon
12:15PM, Café
God is building His church in Central Asia and PCC has the privilege of being a part of it through the loving and faithful witness of Global Ministry Partners like Betsy B. She and others will join us for lunch where we’ll learn more about their life and ministry.
Monday, September 20
The Refugee Experience
7:00-8:30PM
Hear directly from local refugees who were relocated to the Peninsula from Central Asia. To help our guests feel more comfortable sharing, we will divide into women and men to hear their stories. Register for childcare at bit.ly/pccec2021.
Tuesday, September 21
Tuesday Morning Prayer for Central Asia
6:30AM, Hall A
Join us for an intimate time of prayer for Central Asia. We’ll pray for our partners, the persecuted church in Central Asia, and for the needs and concerns of fellow PCCers and other local ministries too.
Wednesday, September 22
Out of Darkness & Into Light
7:30PM, PCC
At this event we will hear from two special guest speakers. Rev. Charles Beckett will share about his daughter, Cheryl, who was martyred by a militant group in 2010 when she was just 32 years old and serving to advance the Gospel as a medical volunteer in Central Asia. Dr. Zane Pratt will also cast vision for the needed work in Central Asia. Pratt serves as the Vice President of Training for the IMB of the Southern Baptist Convention. He previously served 24 years in an Islamic context with the IMB as a church planter and regional leader in Central Asia. This event will be livestreamed at bit.ly/gmcfall21ood. Limited childcare is available. Register for childcare at bit.ly/pccec2021.
Saturday, September 25
Charter Boat Fishing Excursion
12:15PM, Old Point Comfort Marina K Dock (150 McNair Drive Hampton)
This is a fun recreational event where you will get to rub shoulders with folks from outside our church who are also invested in Central Asia* as we spend the afternoon fishing together on a Hampton Roads Charter Boat. All fishing poles and supplies are included. Bring water, sunscreen, and get ready for some fun! Contact Chelsea Nobles at cnobles@pccyorktown.com with any questions. The cost is $55/person and you can register at bit.ly/gmcfishing21.
*We are hosting a separate conference during the same week for global partners, agencies, and representatives from other churches that are also focused on work in Central Asia.
Sunday, September 26
Special Discipleship Class
Scripture Through Central-Asian Eyes
9AM, Room 202/203
The people of Central Asia live in a culture that looks a lot more like the culture of Jesus’ day than we Westerners do. Learn how they might interpret familiar stories from Scripture and why we, too, can learn from looking at these stories through a different cultural lens. PCC Associate Global Ministry Partner Betsy B. will also share stories and experiences from her time among this culture so foreign to us, but so loved by Jesus.
Night of Praise and Prayer
6:00PM, Halls ABC
In Acts 13 when Paul and Barnabas were called by the Holy Spirit to go and proclaim the Gospel in far off lands, it happened during a time of gathered worship. In this sense, worship is both the fuel and the goal of global ministry. Worship stirs us to share the good news and we share the good news because we want all nations to join us in worship. During this evening of worship we’ll lift our voices to God. In between songs we’ll also hear stories, updates, and prayer requests from Global Partners that we’ll respond to in prayer. The evening will conclude with a time of fellowship and refreshments. Limited childcare is provided. Register for childcare at bit.ly/pccec2021.
About Our Guest Speakers
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Betsy B. (Associate Global Ministry Partner)Betsy and her husband moved to Central Asia in 2008. Two kids and 13 years later, God has graciously allowed them to stay the course of sharing life with the people group that God has put on their hearts. He has also relocated them to the Arabian Peninsula where they currently reside. Betsy loves observing culture and traditions as it allows her glimpses of God’s glory within the tapestry of humanity. She believes the power and beauty of God’s Word both transcends and transforms entire nations, tribes, and tongues.
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Dr. Len Bartlotti
Dr. Len Bartlotti is a strategist, inspirational speaker, author, and educator with 40 years’ experience in cross-cultural ministry and the Islamic world. He and his wife Debi served many years in Central Asia among one of the world’s largest unreached Muslim people groups. Their pioneering work included translation, literature, ethnic music, refugee relief, and discipling groups of Muslim background believers. Dr. Len earned a Ph.D. at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Oxford, England, and has taught at Biola and other universities. An ordained minister, Len travels and speaks nationally and internationally, helping leaders, field workers, churches, and organizations maximize their effectiveness among unreached peoples. Len’s wife Debi is a Nurse Midwife and licensed Spiritual Director. Their passion is to invite all Muslim peoples to follow Jesus. Len and Debi base in Missouri and have three adult children and seven grandsons.
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Dr. Zane Pratt
Zane Pratt was elected vice president for global training at the International Mission Board (IMB) in November 2014. For twenty years, he served as an IMB church planter and regional leader in Central Asia. From 2011–13, Pratt was dean of the Billy Graham School at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he currently serves as associate professor of Christian missions. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, a master’s degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and is a Ph.D. candidate at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the coauthor of Introduction to Global Missions and a contributor to Theology and Practice of Mission.
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Rev. Charles BeckettCharles served as the Senior Pastor of Woodlawn Christian Church from 2002 until 2018. He has also served as a Lecturer in Bible at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is married to Mary and father to Cheryl and Sarah. In 2010, his then 32-year-old daughter Cheryl, was among 10 medical volunteers whose lives were taken by a militant group in Central Asia. She had spent the previous six years serving the people there through community development. Charles has described Cheryl as, “an ordinary girl that God used in extraordinary ways. She lived out God’s Word, she adorned herself with His truth by the power of His spirit. She showed Christ to those who were hurting and suffering.”
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Next Steps
This Global Ministry Conference isn’t just about filling our heads with information, it’s about seeing God build His church among this people group that He has called us to. As part of our 2021-2022 Prayer & Action Goals, we hope that you will consider which of the following “Six Ways to Reach God’s World” He is calling you to:
You can learn more about Central Asia and the people group that we are especially invested in.
You can pray for God to build His church in Central Asia.
You can send our Global Ministry Partners to love, serve, and share the Gospel through your financial and prayer support.
You can go or support others in going to share the good news with this people group from Central Asia.
You can mobilize others to learn about God’s heart for Central Asia.
You can welcome people from Central Asia who have migrated here and become our neighbors.
You can learn more about Central Asia and the people group that we are especially invested in.
- Plan to attend luncheons for our Global Partners whose ministry focus is Central Asia
- Attend an upcoming Central Asia Prayer Time on the 1st Sunday of every month at 10:45AM in Room 202
You can pray for God to build His church in Central Asia.
- Attend an upcoming Central Asia Prayer Time on the 1st Sunday of every month at 10:45AM in Room 202
- Continue to regularly pray for those Global Ministry Partners that you heard from during this conference – sign up for their newsletters to receive updates on how to pray
- Pray for events in Central Asia as you see them on the news
You can send our Global Ministry Partners to love, serve, and share the Gospel through your financial and prayer support.
- Provide regular monthly financial support to one of the Global Ministry Partners that we support who is focused on our Central Asia people group
- Talk with an advocate for a Global Ministry Partner and ask them how you can support and encourage them
You can go or support others in going to share the good news with this people group from Central Asia.
- Pray about whether the Lord is calling you to go and share His good news overseas
- Pray about whether you should go on a future short-term trip to share His good news
You can mobilize others to learn about God’s heart for Central Asia.
- Invite someone to join you in attending the Central Asia Prayer time or a luncheon for a Global Partner who serves people from Central Asia
You can welcome people from Central Asia who have migrated here and become our neighbors.
- Meet and serve a new friend through F.O.R. (our Friends of Refugees ministry). Let the church office know that you are interested in helping by e-mailing office@pccyorktown.com.
About Global Ministry at PCC
Global Ministry Team
Because we believe so deeply in God calling us to global ministry, especially in the unreached areas of the world, PCC’s Global Ministry Team strives to educate, motivate and equip our congregation to play a part in what God is doing on a global scale. We oversee the sending and supporting of our Global Ministry Partners and our annual short-term trips. Our Global Ministry Team includes Abby Brocklesby, Carol Bryant, Charlie Carmichael (Chair), David Lott, Hannah Wissman (Vice Chair), Lois Shaw, Ryan Bradley, Tom Kenney (Global Ministry Pastor) and Will Newcomb.
Global Ministry Task Forces
Our Global Ministry Task Forces exist to help focus the congregation of PCC on what God is calling the church to spread the good news of Jesus locally and globally among all peoples. We have three task forces with a specific focus on our three unreached people groups. They are the Central Asia Task Force, the Kenya Task Force, and the M-People Advocacy Team. Friends of Refugees help us to care for local internationals and the Global Ministry Partner Care Task Force is made up of all the Advocates who support our Global Ministry Partners.
Global Ministry Partners & Advocates
Global Ministry Partners are people that we formally send out to engage in intentional vocational ministry. There are two classifications of Global Ministry Partners: Associate and Primary. Primary Global Ministry Partners receive greater levels of support from PCC and submit to more significant levels of accountability. We currently support 49 Global Ministry Partners who are doing ministry in over 13 different countries spread across 6 continental regions. About half are Primary and half are Associate. Every Global Ministry Partner has an official Advocate here at PCC who serves as a vital link between the congregation and the Global Ministry Partner whether they are on the other side of the world or here locally. Due to security reasons, not all of our Global Ministry Partners can be featured on the website or in paper publications.
For more information about our Global Partners and Global Ministry at PCC, visit our website - pccglobalmin.com.
Because we believe so deeply in God calling us to global ministry, especially in the unreached areas of the world, PCC’s Global Ministry Team strives to educate, motivate and equip our congregation to play a part in what God is doing on a global scale. We oversee the sending and supporting of our Global Ministry Partners and our annual short-term trips. Our Global Ministry Team includes Abby Brocklesby, Carol Bryant, Charlie Carmichael (Chair), David Lott, Hannah Wissman (Vice Chair), Lois Shaw, Ryan Bradley, Tom Kenney (Global Ministry Pastor) and Will Newcomb.
Global Ministry Task Forces
Our Global Ministry Task Forces exist to help focus the congregation of PCC on what God is calling the church to spread the good news of Jesus locally and globally among all peoples. We have three task forces with a specific focus on our three unreached people groups. They are the Central Asia Task Force, the Kenya Task Force, and the M-People Advocacy Team. Friends of Refugees help us to care for local internationals and the Global Ministry Partner Care Task Force is made up of all the Advocates who support our Global Ministry Partners.
Global Ministry Partners & Advocates
Global Ministry Partners are people that we formally send out to engage in intentional vocational ministry. There are two classifications of Global Ministry Partners: Associate and Primary. Primary Global Ministry Partners receive greater levels of support from PCC and submit to more significant levels of accountability. We currently support 49 Global Ministry Partners who are doing ministry in over 13 different countries spread across 6 continental regions. About half are Primary and half are Associate. Every Global Ministry Partner has an official Advocate here at PCC who serves as a vital link between the congregation and the Global Ministry Partner whether they are on the other side of the world or here locally. Due to security reasons, not all of our Global Ministry Partners can be featured on the website or in paper publications.
For more information about our Global Partners and Global Ministry at PCC, visit our website - pccglobalmin.com.
