International.
Ireland

The Keatings were stateside from the end of May until mid-July. These times allow them to visit family, supporting churches, and individual donors. They were able to enjoy time with their son, who had recently moved to Florida; this new season of parenting across an ocean has been challenging for Steve and Valarie. They also spent time with their parents and extended family. These times were sweet, but they were also challenging, as it is a keen reminder of the losses they've endured by moving overseas.

The trip back to Ireland was full of logistical challenges and delays, but there was mercy still through free lounge access, showers, and food. Steve preached the first Sunday back and again at the end of the month in a series on the Sermon on the Mount. 

  • Pray for their son Shane as he settles into new routines in Florida after the summer.
  • Pray for the Keatings’ families as they experience the ongoing loss of being far away. It can be hard and frustrating at times, and it was a loss they did not choose for themselves.
  • Pray for Steve as he preaches and for this series to transform the church, and that they would display God’s Kingdom to a fallen world. 
North America.
David and Caroline Tyrrell // Robstown, TX

David is a former pastor of Immanuel and moved to be the pastor of River Hills Baptist Church in February of 2024. The adjustment to Corpus Christi has been a challenge at multiple levels. Caroline has had bouts of insomnia over the past six months. The Lord has answered prayers for strength and peace in the midst of this and he has also given Caroline more sleep, but please pray that the Lord would continue to enable Caroline to rest well.

There are challenges and blessings happening at RHBC. There are about 800 church members who are on the rolls but absent from church life, and there was no established rhythm of corporate prayer when David arrived. David has started a monthly evening of prayer, which has been small but encouraging. Also, praise the Lord, there are six new believers scheduled to be baptized on August 17th! Some are children who have grown up hearing the Word, but others are adults who have turned from sin and trusted in the Lord in the past few months.

  • Pray for God to give David wisdom as he leads the church in how to pursue one another, and what it looks like for the church to follow Jesus.
  • Pray for David to care for his family well and for God to give them joy in this work.
  • Pray for the Lord to save more from their community and to give them a heart of compassion and concern for the lost around them.
  • Pray for the Lord to continue to draw each of David and Caroline’s children to himself: Ezra, Tabitha, Anna, Ruth, Felicity, and Judson.
Kentuckiana.
Immanuel Pastors

Hebrews 13:7 tells us to remember those who lead and speak the Word to us, considering the result of their conduct, to imitate their faith. Praise the Lord for how He has gifted Immanuel with godly pastors who serve the church to the end that the saints are equipped for the work of ministry, to the glory of God.

  • Pray that each pastor would walk in the fear of the Lord, seeking his power and his presence. 
  • Pray for continued unity among the pastors and that God would grant each pastor wisdom as they shepherd and equip the saints.
  • Pray that God would continue to guard each of our pastors against the schemes of the adversary and to lead them by the Spirit.
Unreached.
Kurds of Iraq

Location:

Iraq

Population:

4,462,000

Ev. Christian:

0.01%

Main Language:

Kurdish

Spiritual Beliefs:

99.95% Islam

Bible in Heart Language:

Yes

The Kurds are a large ethnic group that lives in the mountainous regions of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Most Kurds are Muslims, and today about three-quarters are members of the majority Sunni branch.

  • Pray that the small number of Kurdish Christians would be united in the gospel and would winsomely proclaim it to their neighbors.  
  • Pray that more local churches would be established among the Kurds.
  • The complete Bible was translated into one of the major Kurdish dialects in 2017. Pray that many people would have the opportunity to read the Scriptures and hear them preached.