c u l t i v a t e ASK NETWORK—APRIL/MAY 2014

“Cultivate” is a bimonthly electronic publication of ASK Network USA that informs and encourages ASKers in the work of praying for the church, community and all the nations. Its seeks to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and with one another.

“A*rise”

National Leaders Gathering

July 17th

-20th

in Knoxville, Tennessee

God is ASKing us to invest in you, our servant leaders, by providing this unique opportunity for you to join other ASK leaders around our family table to be refreshed, equipped and encouraged. We will begin our time together with Quiet Waters, a ministry of refreshing. The Lord is speaking to each of us from Deuteronomy 10:11 saying, “Arise, go on your journey at the head of the people, so that they may go in and possess the land.” This invitation extends to national team leaders and members, state leaders, state team members, prayer group leaders, potential leaders you may be praying over, and any others interested in an ASK leadership role. We are believing God that every leader will be able to arise and come. We will be gathering at Two Rivers Church near Knoxville, Tennessee, at 7 p.m. Thursday evening and finishing our last session at noon on Sunday. Ac-commodations will be at the Hampton Inn Knoxville-Turkey Creek/Farragut, which is about four miles from the church. Early-bird registration is $79, and after June 17th registration will be $90. The registration fee includes three meals, two dinners and a lunch. We will be fasting from after dinner on Thursday evening until Friday dinner. More information concerning accommo-dations, roommates, and other details are online at the registration site. After you register you will receive a confirmation letter giving travel and hotel de-tails, as well as suggestions for heart preparation. Thank you in advance for going to www.asknetworkusa.net and register-ing online as soon as possible. The Holy Spirit is building anticipation in our hearts for these exceptional days to see His face together. We are eager to welcome each of you as we ARISE and GATHER in Knoxville.

PARTICIPATE

In the National

Prayer Call

First Saturday of each month

May 3

June 7

GIVE

Gifts may be made online via Pay Pal

or mail a check to:

ASK Network USA

PO Box 7003

Oak Ridge, TN

37831-3303

PRINT International

ASKing Point

March/April 2014

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“Why Meditate on

the Word of God”

ASK Network News

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cultivate ASK NETWORK USA—APRIL/MAY2014 AGE 2

ASK Network International Gathering in Israel, April 22-24. Be in prayer as ASKers from around the world gather.

Pennsylvania ASK Day May 17, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm, Ascension Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh. For more in-formation and to register contact JoAnn Kline jakline.lu@verizon.net.

OTTAWA GATHERING at the NATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER, OTTAWA. June, 2-6. To download brochure and registration form visit www.asknetworkusa.net and click on the picture of the Houses of Parliament or on Events. A*rise Leaders’ Gathering, July 17-20, Knoxville, TN. Visit www.asknetworkusa.net to register by clicking on the A*rise picture or on Events.

New Treasurer and Address

What a gift Lisa Otis has been to the family of ASK Network USA. We are extremely grateful for how faithfully she has served as our National Treasurer since January of 2012 in addition to handling the financial responsibilities for ASK Network International. Both ministries have blossomed to the point that the financial workload exceeds what can rea-sonably be expected of one person.

So in January of this year the Support Team asked Bill Moyer to begin the process of transferring ASK Network USA finances to his care. This process has been completed and on March 1st, 2014 Bill began serving as our new Na-tional Treasurer. We would like express our sincere and deepest appreciation to

Lisa for graciously serving ASK Network USA in this role and welcome Bill to his new responsibilities. Should you need to reach Bill, you may email him at finances@asknetwork.net.

Giving for our Leaders

Will you be a part of the answer to someone's asking?

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under

compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7.

We are asking for help with travel expenses so all ASK.USA leaders can attend A*rise, our

Leaders’ Gathering this July in Knoxville, Tennessee. These precious, hard-working volun-

teers will greatly benefit from this time as they are refreshed, equipped, and encouraged by

spending time with each other in God's Presence. They will be rejuvenated as they con-

nect with other leaders who face similar challenges in the work of ASK. Would you be will-

ing to send a donation, big or small, to bless our leaders and help each of them attend this gathering?

There are two ways to donate: Go on to www.asknetworkusa.net and give electronically using the donate

button. Or if you prefer mail a check to ASK Network USA, P. O. Box 7003, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-

3303. Make sure to designate your gift to USA Leadership. Give what God tells you to give. Don’t worry if

it’s a small amount. Small amounts add up. Every gift given will bring encouragement to some

leader. Don’t feel compelled to give if you can’t...give the gift of praying for the resources so every leader

can come whether local, state or national.

cultivate ASK NETWORK USA—APRIL/MAY 2014 PAGE 3

Getting to know our National Teams

Practical Team: Judy French, leader; Lisa Mills

The Practical Team deals with the day to day operational details of ASK Network USA. We are not Marthas but

rather ‘Marys on a mission.’ Our mission first and foremost is to seek God. In seeking Him, He gives us insights,

plans and ideas as well as provision for the practical details of ASK Network, i.e. finances, hospitality, and admini-

stration. We support not only ASK Gatherings but also the general work of ASK Network. It is our joy to deal with the

down-to-earth aspects so that every Mary, including us, is free to sit at the feet of Jesus together. The work of the

team is more than just keeping track of ASK finances and providing practical support but also praying in the re-

sources to do the work.

Much of our work is in support of ASK Gatherings. It is our desire that at every gathering each attendee will feel wel-

comed, honored and at ease. To better accomplish our work, we believe we need to enlarge our team. If you are a

state leader would you seek God for people in your state with gifts of hospitality or administration? We are looking for

those who would be willing to help with Gatherings, through brainstorming on a conference call or physically on site.

Please send contact information to jnfrench1@netzero.com.

ASKing for the Practical Team:

Join us in asking God for the funds necessary for the work of ASK USA.

Pray Hebrews 13:20-21 for us.

Ask for multiplication in our team, as God leads.

North America Continent: ASKing in Vancouver The ASK Canada trip made by Beverley Coad to Vancouver, British Columbia February 26 to March 4th was an overwhelming success.

Five ASKers from the Seattle area accompanied Beverley as they met at a Re-habilitation Farm run by several churches. Men from Teen Challenge and women from other area churches joined them, about sixty people in all. Beverley shared the vision of ASK and Lis Stubbs led the meditation on 1 John 1:9. It was a joy to see the brothers in groups of 5-6 meditating on and praying the Word. The Lord gave Beverley several other opportunities to share ASK and biblical meditation in the area. Priscilla, a Canadian ASKer will follow up at each place and start an ASK group with those God brings. Beverley, reflecting on her time in Vancouver, said "The whole trip was indicative of God's great favor, and it seemed that every step had been prepared by the

Lord. He did more than we could ASK or think.” Now it's on to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's capital, where an ASK Gathering will be held June 2-8, 2014. We will part-ner with the National House of Prayer in Ottawa for this gathering. NHOP is a ministry the Lord has raised up to pray for Canada's government. Is the Lord prompting you to come? There is still room for ASKers from the USA to attend. Register on the website, www.asknetworkusa.net. Most of all, we desire your prayers for these days of gathering.

Judy French Lisa Mills

cultivate ASK NETWORK USA—APRIL/MAY 2014 PAGE 4

Nations Team: Jesus on the Hotseat

I work as a mission mobilizer, helping Christians engage in healthy ways to do God’s work among un-reached people groups. Often, the biggest challenge of my work is finding ways to encourage road-weary Christians, folks whose view of God’s greatness has been overshadowed by the seeming impossibility of salvaging a world full of violence, brokenness, and injustice. My goal and prayer is to see God restore our vision for Who He is, for His capacity to do the impossible, and for His invitation to partner with Him in His plan to redeem the world. Last week my job brought a new challenge. I had three different meetings - with a mission committee, a gathering of pastors and church leaders, and a group of high school students. As I met with each group to share about God’s love and purpose for the earth, I was bombarded with questions - serious questions - about whether or not Jesus really mattered, or ought to matter, to the world. In today’s increasingly polarized, pluralistic world, Jesus is often put on the hot seat...even among Christ followers. Should Jesus need to matter to people outside the Christian faith? What difference, practically, does Jesus really make in a person’s life? Isn’t Jesus just one option in the buffet line of spirituality? Shouldn’t we honor and respect the beliefs and practices of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists...and how can we do that if we’re always promoting our own religion?” These are honest, raw, sincere questions from Christians who are really wrestling to understand Christ’s place, and our place as His followers, in a com-plex and diverse world. In the midst of my meetings last week, I met a Persian man named Amir. He grew up a Muslim, and fell in love with Jesus as a young man. Amir is now an ordained Presbyterian pastor in America and is very clear about why Jesus matters. He shared, “As a Muslim, I don’t need your sympathy. I want to know, do you love me?” He shared five things that make Jesus distinct among all world religions: Jesus Christ, indeed, is the only incarnate God. In Jesus Christ, there is eternal life. In Jesus Christ, there is assurance of salvation. In Jesus Christ, and in Him alone, I can love my enemies. In Jesus Christ, there is a peaceful place for all people. Take time in the days ahead to pray for the Church in America, especially for those who are struggling to understand the uniqueness and relevance of the message God has charged us with bringing to the world. Ask God to give the Church clarity and confidence in the good news of Jesus, and compassion to communicate with a world that struggles to see through the fog. Scriptures for prayer: Matthew 16:1-20 Ephesians 4:1-16

By Tara C.