These SAMS Missionaries and their families have requested these prayers.
January – February 2026
view in the SAMS E-Messenger newsletter
Russ and Heidi Smith (Missionaries to Chile):
Please pray for travel mercies for Russ and Heidi who are in the U.S. on Home Ministry Assignment driving many miles visiting supporting churches, mostly in the East and Midwest, between now and the end of March. Also, lift up Gino, Russ’ pastoral assistant, as he carries on pastoring the congregation in Russ’ absence. Pray for the new class at the Rural Bible Institute that begins in March, bringing indigenous students from Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay, as well as from Chile.
Bob and Traci Gresser (Missionaries to Namibia):
Please lift up the Gressers who are preparing to move to Namibia. They are in the midst of planning and looking at flights for mid-March. Please pray for travel mercies and medication timing readjustments, especially for their son Andrew. Pray that a very tricky visa issue will get resolved in time. Ask the Lord to provide a home for the Gressers to rent in a neighborhood that will be a good fit for the whole family. Pray that Bob will integrate smoothly into service at Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Stephen V. (Missionary to Europe)
Stephen has started teaching English three to four times a week to a student preparing for a final exam this year at a nearby middle school. He has discovered that the student is not a Christian, so pray for wisdom from the Lord as he teaches. There is another Christian interested at Spiritual Formation who is seeking, so pray as he starts working with this new believer as he guides him in how to practice his faith.
Todd and Patsy McGregor (Associate Missionaries to Madagascar):
Please pray for the McGregor’s ministry of Life Coaching, Leadership Development, and Lifestyle Evangelism. Lift up their trip to Mauritius and Madagascar, March 4-24, for the 10th anniversary of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Pray for all of their activities including the team they will be taking, visiting schools, working with Education Equals Hope, and distributing water filters, as well as encouraging their friends in the Diocese of Toliara. They will also be working with the Diocese in building a team to raise up the musical Miaraka: A Time to Dance to spread the gospel of God’s amazing love to other regions of the country.
Logan and Samantha Gates (Missionary Candidates to Chile):
Please lift up Samantha and Logan who as SAMS Missionary Candidates are preparing for long-term service in Chile. In the interim, pray for their move to the U.S. on February 10th, and for a safe journey and a smooth border crossing, as well as settling into Logan’s church internship in preparation for them to serve in Chile.
Roger and Joanne Griffin (Missionaries to Mexico):
Please pray for an abundance of strength and wisdom to grace the Chapel Community in San Miguel de Allende. Pray that this new church plant would be a clear and compelling example of His Gospel in the heart of Mexico, especially for the comfort and assurance of many foreigners who come to the town seeking beauty and peace.
Anthony and Anna Pelloni (Missionaries to Cambodia):
Pray for Anthony as he has just finished work on his January intensive classes while now beginning Spring-term classes this week. Lift up the students in the dorms as Anthony seeks to design programs of spiritual formation and catechesis for the students living in the dorms and the dorm leaders. Grant him insight and also pray for Anna as she continues to care for their home and family while Anthony continues to pursue seminary studies and language study. Pray for Anna to have wisdom about when to start language lessons.
Jack and Mary McDonald (Associate Missionaries in Animal Health and Int’l Student Ministry):
Pray for the Valentine’s Day party for International students at the McDonald’s farm. Also ask for peace for the many Iranian students at Virginia Tech and others far from their country during these troubling times. Lift up the international Christian Veterinary Conference Mary will be attending with Jack in March/April. She will be speaking about international student ministries. Ask also for safety and connections and that there will be revival in Turkey. Pray for the Farm Animal Refresher for Missions (F.A.R.M.) course the last week in April – for more participants, good learning, and safety.
Ben and Cherie Weber (Missionaries to Rwanda):
Please pray that God will continue to open up doors of opportunity to minister to the people in Gahini. There are two building projects at two different schools that will be starting in February. Praise the Lord for the funding He has provided for these two projects. Please pray that the projects go smoothly. Pray for the Weber’s daughter, Mae, who is at school in Kenya, and for their other kids as they are homeschooled. Their adjustment back to Rwanda has been harder than they anticipated. Also, please intercede on behalf of Cherie’s dad who is having a cancerous tumor removed from his neck
this Friday. It is a pretty intricate surgery, with the possibility of numerous complications. Pray that all the cancer is removed, that there will be no complications, and that his recovery is fast and smooth.
Chris Feuillade (Associate Missionary to Chile):
Chris shares, “I give thanks for both continuing and new opportunities to serve God within the Anglican Church of Chile. I ask for God’s blessing and guidance as I seek to pursue these opportunities.
I also give thanks for those faithful people who have partnered with me in prayer and in their offerings to support Iglesia El Salvador in San Joaquin, Santiago. I ask for prayers for the ministries and spiritual growth of the people of Iglesia El Salvador, and for Pastor Emanuel Morales as he leads them. I personally ask prayers for continued good health and well being.”
David and Patricia Ayres (Associate Missionaries to Germany):
Please pray for Patricia who has been busy with counseling sessions and is also leading several all-day counseling classes in the coming weeks. Pray for David as he seeks to help their small Christ Church congregation regroup during the Lenten season with a renewed focus on making disciples.
Richard and Martha Menees (Missionaries to Uganda):
Join Richard and Martha in gratitude and prayers of thanksgiving for one of the most satisfying mission projects thus far in conjunction with one of their seminarians. Pray for a strong response to the Menees need and appeal to increase support, especially because of an increase in the cost of living. Pray for the Menees as they travel to the U.S. in late March to make repairs and renew the lease on their home and find a reliable tenant quickly.
Janine Legrand (Missionary to Uganda):
Join Janine in a prayer of praise that Uganda remained peaceful throughout its most recent election. Pray that the peace remains now that the government has restored communications. Pray also for the successful implementation of Janine’s health and environmental programs and other activities.
John and Susan Park (Associate Missionaries to Peru):
Please pray for John as he preaches and celebrates the eucharist at a local church’s Spanish service. Pray for Susan as the second semester of ESL classes begins and she welcomes new students into the beginner’s group. Pray about the weather as the excessive snow and cold is hampering people’s ability to gather for worship and classes.
David and Mary Beth Alenskis (Missionaries to the Netherlands):
Pray for the Alenskis’ as they seek new partners for their ministry in the Netherlands.
Pray for safe winter travel as they undergo missionary deputation and lift them up for faithfulness in preaching, teaching, and witnessing.
Ask the Lord to grant them solid friendships as they sojourn in the United States.
Kerry and Cynthia Buttram (Missionaries to the Netherlands):
Join the Buttrams in giving thanks for God’s provision of an affordable apartment in Amsterdam where housing is at a premium and in short supply. Give thanks for their opportunities to serve churches. In the space of 10 days during the Christmas /Epiphany season they ministered in 4 different Anglican churches in the Netherlands and are already quite booked for 2026. Give thanks that Cynthia’s ministry as a spiritual director continues. They believe that God is using her to be a seasoned friend who helps fellow Christians grow in their awareness and sensitivity to God at work in their lives. She has recently joined the intercessory prayer team in Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Utrecht. Finally, pray for daily strength in a very demanding season of change as their ministry has expanded; increased involvement with younger believers in their newfound faith; and healing for Cynthia’s physical challenges and the course of treatments by the rheumatologist.