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July 2, 2025

📰 Top stories:

A Zoom prayer gathering connects global church, Julie Cook is hired as Assistant Controller for BIC Foundation, and a Colombian congregation offers healing through creative arts.

Keep reading for more.

Quick Links

🕊️New Shalom! explores Anabaptism's significance in the BIC's story.

📚Register for Fall 2025 DSP courses, starting August 25.

💼Find employment opportunities with BIC U.S. congregations and ministries.

Scripture Meditation

Called to be Free

📖 READ

Galatians 5:13-15 – You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

🙏 REFLECT & RESPOND

For those of us in the U.S., the Fourth of July marks our nation’s independence and freedom. As Christians, we also celebrate freedom, but it’s a different kind. The world’s freedom is self-serving; Jesus’ freedom serves others.

Does this dichotomy challenge you? How is Jesus asking you to respond in your discipleship?

Together in Prayer

Each Wednesday at 10 AM EST, the familiar chime of the Zoom doorbell signals the beginning of something sacred.

Rectangles appear on screen as pastors, church members, missionaries, office staff, and global church leaders log in from across the U.S. and around the world. Friendly chatter and joyful greetings set the tone for the hour ahead—an hour dedicated to seeking God’s heart for the world through prayer.

The Global Prayer Gathering has become a spiritual anchor for many—a time of refreshment, connection, and shared purpose. Participants describe it as a “mini Sabbath,” a holy pause in the middle of a busy week to recenter on what matters most.

As the group lifts up the 14 prayer requests from the weekly Prayer Focus, the sense of unity is tangible. Whether someone prays aloud or joins silently in agreement, God hears every voice and every heart.

In our latest blog, participants reflect on how the prayer call has developed into a simple but powerful reminder that no one is alone and that prayer truly makes a difference.

Join the prayer call.

Contact missions@bicus.org to request the link.

Julie Cook Hired as Assistant Controller for BIC Foundation

Meet Julie Cook!

Many of you know Julie already; she previously served over a decade as staff accountant for BIC U.S. World Missions, caring for a multitude of details where money and mission work intersect.

"We’re delighted to welcome Julie as our new Assistant Controller,” says Jim Reynolds, executive director. “Her financial management expertise and passion for the work of the Church will be instrumental in helping the Foundation steward its resources with excellence and integrity."

Julie is excited to experience a new side of Brethren in Christ ministry with the Foundation. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve with World Missions for the past 10+ years – a season brimming with relationships and responsibility,” says Julie. “In my new role with the Foundation, I’m looking forward to continued professional growth as I learn to serve the church in new ways.”

As assistant controller, Julie will be responsible for managing daily accounting functions of the Foundation and lending her expertise to enhance organization-wide data management and reporting processes.

When she’s not at her desk, you might find Julie baking a batch of muffins or hiking one of the many trails of central Pennsylvania. She is an active part of Dillsburg BIC (Pa.) and loves farmers’ markets, Malawian tea, fresh garden bouquets, quality chocolate ice cream, and spending time with family and friends, especially the littles.

Healing Through Creative Arts

In Colombia, the Tierra Linda Brethren in Christ congregation meets in a Bogotá neighborhood impacted by violence and a high suicide rate among youth. This environment is stressful and places emotional strain on residents.

To minister to their community, the Tierra Linda congregation has created a fine arts club where neighbors can access music, drama, and art lessons designed to offer emotional relief and healing.

Music lessons

Drama class

We are excited to partner with the Tierra Linda congregation to help create a space for hurting people to express pain through creativity and to encounter Jesus, the one who offers healing and hope. Learn more at the link below.

One last thing...

Summer events like VBS, church camps, and retreats offer deep, spiritual enrichment – especially for young people. Pray that the children and teens who will participate in activities with BIC congregations this summer will draw closer to Christ and be encouraged in their early discipleship.

How are you praying for the young people in your life? Respond to this email and share your heart for the next generation.

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