"The gospel doesn't add to who we are; it transforms who we are. The gospel isn't about addition; it's about exchange." - Rosaria Butterfield
FROM THE DESK OF: the Director of Communications
Our office is starting to get back to normal after our international meetings and travels. Lots of updates, changes and transitions to report. Excited about what the future holds for Uttermost, our reps and the multitudes of sports programming we have in the works. Stay tuned!
For the Win[dow],
Bubby Bryan
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Psalm 3:3
"But you O Lord are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head."
COUNTRY OF THE WEEK: Qatar
Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew the father in a bloodless coup in 1995. In short order, HAMAD oversaw the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar's pursuit of a leadership role in mediating regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As of 2007, oil and natural gas revenues had enabled Qatar to attain the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar has not experienced domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2010-11, due in part to its immense wealth. Since the outbreak of regional unrest, however, Doha has prided itself on its support for many of these popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. In mid-2013, HAMAD transferred power to his 33 year-old son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad - a peaceful abdication rare in the history of Arab Gulf states. TAMIM has prioritized improving the domestic welfare of Qataris, including establishing advanced healthcare and education systems and expanding the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 World Cup. (CIA World Factbook)
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Pray for open doors for Muslims to hear and receive the Gospel.
- Pray for a deep spiritual hunger amid such material wealth.
- Pray for the birth of an indigenous church focused on sharing the Gospel with all Qataris.
- Pray for the Uttermost workers on the field.
- Pray for the US office.