In the face of civil war, Lanka Bible College and Seminary (LBCS) continues to pursue the ministry to which they're called and is making a difference for Christ in many ways. The LBCS Prayer Tower has played a significant role in the ministry since 2003. The main goal is to gather the Sri Lankan Church to pray for the nation and worldwide missions. Intercessors all over the nation have visited the tower, and many prayer conferences and seminars have been held there as well.

Housed inside the Prayer Tower is the World Missions Resource Center. Perhaps the first and only one of its kind in Sri Lanka, the center allows users to access information on countries, missions and current strategies through missionary research updates and the LBCS library.

The strategic events organized for the Church in Sri Lanka are another way LBCS impacts their community. This past year, LBCS hosted the all island Pastors' Conference which brought together more than 80 key pastors representing all denominations. In partnership with National Christian Evangelical Alliance, LBCS organized a meeting of all Colombo evangelical leaders to discuss pertinent church topics, as well as the First National Women's Conference where more than 800 women across the nation prayed for Sri Lanka and the Church. LBCS has over 500 graduates serving in ministry in all parts of the country and abroad.

"Thank you for all your investment, prayers and support towards the development of our seminary. We are indeed much obliged for your kindness and partnership with us," shares Evangeline Thevanesan, LBCS Liaison.

Ashish Chrispal, Regional Director

OC's Regional Director Ashish Chrispal offers his expert overview of Asia and its challenges to theological education.

As a continent, Asia hosts many of the largest nations in the world. The complex realities of these nations (the plurality of religions, ideologies, cultures, diversities and extremes) pose the greatest challenges to theological education, and the recent economic boom in some Asian nations has awakened the world to the new realities we face.

Yet at the same time, the growing poverty within the nations is alarming. The violence, terrorist activities, gender discriminations, the growing threat of increased HIV/AIDS victims, political turmoil and rising religious fanaticism are daily realities of the Asian nations. These beg the question: How can we transform these nations and be participants in nation building as those who believe and trust in the transforming power of Jesus Christ?

The answer lies in the transformed lives of the leaders, making theological education the most important ingredient. Asia's theological institutions have a special responsibility and privilege to train future leaders for the nations by discipling them as followers of Jesus Christ. In turn, these disciples will disciple others, and with the Lord's help, they will equip transformed communities in Christ to be transforming communities. OC plays a vital role in this process - we walk with the partner schools to sustain them in this endeavor as they create a new generation of leaders and catalysts for transformation.

In light of this, OC has accepted seven new partner schools, some who serve in newly opened up areas and are witnessing a great emergence of churches. We have also identified institutions that are ready to partner with OC to train Asians for partner school faculty needs. We invite you to pray and partner with us, as we disciple the disciplers and endeavor to transform the nations through transformed leadership, in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit with Christ's grace to the glory of the Father.

Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Because of ethnic conflict, Anthony and other Tamils in his country are living in fear. Despite the hardship, Anthony has seen the Lord opening his eyes in the past few years to the need of missionary activity, true conflict resolution and peacemaking within the Church and society.

Anthony is in charge of two congregations of the Christian Reformed Church, the oldest Protestant denomination in Sri Lanka. He credits his Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS) training as essential in his work. "The education that I receive at CTS has been useful specifically with the secondary level leadership class that I am conducting to church members," he says.

He also shares the challenges he faces with one congregation's needs. "The congregation consists of many tsunami victims who also have physical needs. It is a challenge to identify and distinguish true spiritual needs and physical needs." In addition, Anthony expresses that effective time management is crucial, as he juggles schoolwork and these two relatively new congregations.

Please pray for Anthony and others like him in ministry: for a balance between ministry and studies; that the Lord would open doors for new opportunities and boldness to face challenges ahead; for protection; and for wisdom to minister amidst the challenges.

1 Peter 4:13-14 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

OC's second 2008 Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development was held in Prague February 18-22. The event was hosted by OC partner International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS).

Fourteen leaders representing twelve strategic European seminaries gathered for instruction and interaction around the theme "Leadership Matters." During the five-day Institute, participants focused on topics designed to equip them as more effective school leaders. One participant remarked, "I appreciate the use of local leaders as presenters - they better understand our context and are available for further interaction, if necessary. We can have the feeling, 'Hey, it worked there; maybe it will work for me.'"

Throughout the week of the Institute, participants also completed a Ministry Action Plan (MAP), outlining their intentions to make improvements in their leadership. One participant described his enthusiasm for the Institute: "This has been a tremendous week for me, and the MAP has enabled me to write down concrete actions to follow in key areas, such as leadership challenges, clarifying the vision/mission of my institution and delegating responsibility." Continue to pray that these leaders would now implement what they learned at the Institute in their respective schools.

[See Prague Institute speaker list in sidebar]

Commit to pray with OC over the following Asia prayer requests:

• The protection of Almighty God to hover over His children in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and other areas beset by violence and opposition
• An unprecedented commitment from the church to evangelize in a genuinely incarnate manner
• The ability to see the sovereignty of God in the affairs of each nation and where strife exists
• For God to give each faculty member, staff, student and alumnus continuous zeal to work more vigorously for the Lord and be true instruments for Him; and for the Lord to open hearts to be touched through the ministries of each
• Wisdom for those serving in Asia, with its many complex realities and the challenges these realities pose to theological education
• For the seven new OC partner schools, as they work with OC to transform the nations through transformed leadership