Dear Friends,

For over twenty nine years we have been writing these prayer letters, sharing the ministry, which each of you have had a very important part through your prayers and financial support. Without you, we would not have been able to follow the Lord’s leading and experience all the accomplishment we have had for His honor and glory. Our journey has taken us to the land of England where you helped us establish a church and a witness for the Gospel that continues to this day. From there we began an adventure of evangelism and discipleship on the university campuses of Reno, Nevada and Boise State where the need for Christ is so great. In all these endeavors God has richly blest our efforts.

In our last prayer letter, we asked you to pray for us as we were going through some difficult transitions. The answer to that request came through a process of working with Baptist Mid-Missions, our commissioning church and many wise counselors. On December 31st, 2011, Debbie and I will be resigning from Baptist Mid-Missions and Campus Bible Fellowship. The decision has been bitter sweet for all of us and yet our gracious and loving God has seen fit to direct us into a ministry independent from the mission and supported by our own income. Please find the enclosed additional letters of explanation from Baptist Mid-Missions and our commissioning church.

The Treasure Valley Collegiate Ministries was started last summer for the purpose of encouraging the fellowship and spiritual growth among our college age young people. This growing opportunity will now serve as the source of our continued outreach and ministry here in Idaho. This Fall we have continued holding our Sunday night Bible studies at Boise State University, Wednesday Night small group Bible studies, our Fall retreat and many other fellowship and outreach activities.

It would be our privilege to continue to share our lives and ministry, and stay in contact with each of you. Please feel free to contact us at anytime. We would love to hear from you.

As in every past prayer letter sent, we wish to say thank you for your love, support and prayers for the Rowland Family. May our wonderful Lord bless you all in every possible way for your generosity and kindness.

Together in His Service! Doug and Debbie

Dear Co-laborer,

Greetings are sent to you in the name of our Great Commissioner, Jesus Christ. It is a privilege to serve alongside donors like you who have a vision for world missions. Thank you for sharing in the ministry of Baptist Mid-Missions through missionaries Doug and Debbie Rowland.

They have served within our Mission family since 1982. These years have taken them along many milestones in their service to our Lord. First of all it was deputation ministry as Missionary Appointees going to England. They arrived on that field of Service in the month of May, 1986. As you know, they were used of the Lord in vibrant ways as part of that missionary team.

In 1996 their ministry vision knit with those of our Mission family reaching college age young people through Campus Bible Fellowship. This ministry was predominantly in North America by way of evangelism and discipleship ministry on secular university campuses. Since then they have been used of the Lord to initiate and further facilitate ministries at UNR in Reno Nevada and then at Boise State in Idaho.

Over these almost 30 years of service within Baptist Mid-Missions Doug and Debbie rose to the top in their various ministry teams. Among other things Doug has held Officer positions alongside his ministry team members in England, Campus Bible Fellowship and our Team North America executive. For these and so many more reasons they have endeared themselves to us and you throughout their years of missionary service.

In light of their support base needing to be refreshed, they recognized the necessity of either going out on full time deputation once again or by moving into a tent-maker style of ministry. They will share the specifics with you; yet, I simply wanted to make you aware of their decision to resign from the Mission December 31, 2011.

Please consider helping them with additional funds to facilitate their transition from the Mission. I’m sure you will want to recognize their years of service in some fashion. The Mission is pleased to receive and receipt donation for the Rowlands up to that last day in this calendar year.

I will miss them personally. The various ministry teams will miss their passion for souls. Our Mission family will miss their ongoing presence among us. Thankfully; however, they will continue in ministry. They will be in touch with you for their plans ahead.

Thank you for all you’ve done to support this wonderful missionary family! Sincerely, Steve Butler Field Administrator of North America Ministries

Dear friends of the Rowlands,

Doug and Debbie Rowland have faithfully served the Lord for many years through Baptist Mid-Missions. Eight and a half years ago they moved here to Idaho to begin a chapter of Campus Bible Fellowship at Boise State University. That was the beginning of our own relationship with them and their ministry.

As the accompanying letters explain, their decision to leave Baptist Mid-Missions was not under duress or due to any problems there. They plan to continue doing exactly what they’ve been doing through the Treasure Valley Collegiate Ministries. As a church we will continue to support the Rowlands in every way possible.

We thank the Lord for the Rowlands’ ministry at home and abroad. We are thankful for the many lives that have been changed – back in England, here in the U.S. and now in many different parts of the world through the extension of their campus work. We also wish to thank you for the part that you have played in their ministry.

Committed to the cure of souls, Randy Cook (Senior Pastor) Meridian First Baptist Church

Dear Friends,

Another school year of Campus Bible Fellowship at Boise State has come to an end and yet it seems as though our summer schedule is going to be busier than ever. Our C.B.F. area liaison team will be launching a new outreach and fellowship in June called, Treasure Valley Collegiate Ministries. This first involves reaching out to every high school graduate in our Treasure Valley churches through special summer activities, mid-week Bible studies and fellowship times. What we hope to create is a community of college age young people united in Christ and dedicated to serve Him. Please pray with us that our God would see fit to bless our efforts and this new ministry.

Campus Bible Fellowship… God has once again been very gracious to bless and answer our prayers during this past semester. Deb had the privilege to speak about the importance of discipleship for a local women’s retreat in March. We were also afforded the opportunity to disciple a young engaged couple just beginning their Christian lives. It was a real joy for us to start at Genesis and see the Holy Spirit reveal the truth of God’s Word and their faith increasing week by week. The new “Seeker Bible Discussion Group” started in February and gave some challenging opportunities in sharing the person of Jesus through the Gospel of John. One of the students who attended was a L.D.S. who just finished his two year mission in San Jose, CA. Please pray for Eric and for this ministry next year. This semester there has been yet another engagement announcement by two of our C.B.F. students. This brings our total to 12 couples that our ministry has touched over the last 6 years. Pray with us that God would bless and encourage these couples as they establish their families for God’s glory.

Family News… Over the many years of us sharing together our lives and ministry, you have always been so faithful to pray for our family. We would like to ask you once again to uphold our family before the Throne of Grace as we are going through some difficult transitions in our lives. Thank you!

Our Thanks… Once again, “Thank you” just seems to truly fall short of the deep gratitude and appreciation we have for all of you that support our ministry through your prayers and giving. May our wonderful God continue to bless you as together we serve Him in the ministry.

Together in His service!

Dear Friends,

Psalm 136:1… As we write this latest installment of the life and times of Doug and Debbie Rowland, we both are overwhelmed by the goodness and faithfulness of God to us as His servants. We live in a house that God provided for us. We drive a car that God provided for us. God even provided this lap top computer that I am typing this letter on. But even better then all that, all four of our children are happily married. We have six beautiful grandchildren. We are both in good health and we continue to love serving the Lord in the greatest ministry ever.

Campus Bible Fellowship… This year’s Boise States Campus Bible Fellowship had a great start due to the outstanding work of our local leadership team. Our area liaison team consists of a young graduate couple, a veteran pastor, a personal chef and a very generous financial contributor. Our student leadership consists of a missionary kid from Central America, a pastor’s kid from Idaho and a post grad student from Washington. Needless to say, our ministry is greatly blest with such a diverse and efficient team. This fall, along with our Sunday night Bible studies in the book of First John; we have added a Bible Challenge Competition between the students and the staff. Our mid-week small group Bible studies are led by our CBF student body president on the Letters of the New Testament. We also have four “One to One” discipleship meetings studying Old Testament Survey, the Book of Luke and Judges and “Christian Discipleship.” The date 10/10/10 marked yet another wedding of two of our college students which we shared together. You can check out all our activities and pictures at: www.cbfboise.net-at-hand.com.net-at-hand.com.

Family News… In August we had the joy of spending time with our children and grandchildren for a week in England before having the whole family together in Romania to celebrate the marriage of our son Alan to his beautiful bride Eliada. The kids gave me the wonderful privilege of officiating the wedding ceremony through an interpreter. Then on the following Sunday, Debbie and I had a special opportunity to participate in a Romanian church service and truly fell in love with our new found brothers and sisters in the Lord. And if life could get any better, Nicole gave us the gift of our sixth grandchild, Ian Fredrick DOUGLAS Rodenburg, on November 9th. New pictures can be found on our website: rowlandcbf.net-at-hand.com.

Prayer and Praise… As we look to the New Year, we covet your prayers for the following activities. Please pray for Debbie as she prepares to speak at an area ladies retreat in March. Pray for two additional disciple opportunities with a young couple and a college age student. And please pray for a new “Seeker Bible Discussion Group” that we wish to start next semester. Praise the Lord with us for His continued goodness and blessings for the ministry that we share together.

Our Thanks… For all your love and support and prayers for us, may our God truly bless your lives. Thank you so much, for without your support in this ministry none of what we just shared would be possible.

Because of Christmas!

Dear Friends,

The longer I live the more I find the Christian life is like a roller coaster ride. From the moment you are safely secured in your seat there is a wonderful anticipation of one of the most exciting rides that you will ever experience. Then it starts. You begin to climb to heights that you could have never imagined while enjoying the beautiful wonders around you that the Creator has provided. Then, at nail biting speeds you fly through the highs and lows of life, screaming with those tense feelings of sheer joy and a little anxiety. You never really know what’s around the next turn but you know you can’t wait to find out. On and on you go, trusting the Creator has the very best to come.

Praise and Prayer Requests…

• Praise the Lord for the great opportunity to speak in two camp programs this summer. At the Junior High Shiloh Bible Camp we experienced a microburst storm and will never forget God’s safety and provision in keeping the camp running and spirits high. At the Challis Mission Bible Church Youth Camp in July, we enjoyed some great hiking, swimming, food and fellowship. Each camp provided a wonderful occasion to share God’s Word and challenge lives.

• Praise the Lord for God’s leading in the lives of our C.B.F. young people. Richard joined the American Missionary Fellowship as their new head chef for their camp programs. I had the privilege to officiate at the wedding of Nang, a young lady from Laos and her husband Marty and also be a groomsman at John and Erin’s wedding before they headed off to China to serve the Lord.

• Please pray for safety and blessing as we travel to England and Romania this August. This has been a most anticipated family reunion as together we all share in the joy of the wedding of our son Alan to Eliada.

• Please pray for the planning and implementing of this fall’s C.B.F. activities. Also pray for our student leadership this year and for new students to join with us.

• Please pray for our C.B.F. students that graduated and are still looking for jobs.

Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Your faithfulness in praying for and supporting this ministry means a great deal to us. Whatever stage of the roller coaster ride you may be on right now, we wish you a safe and peaceful ride.

Together in His service!

Dear Friends,

Warm greetings from Idaho during a snowy, breezy spring break. While students are taking advantage of a week free of classes, we are also taking advantage of extra time to catch up on household projects and paperwork. Although the break is a short one, it is a blessing to have time to reflect on the semester thus far, re-evaluate where necessary, and plan accordingly for the remainder of the school year.

The second semester started off strong and our club numbers have continued to hold steady throughout the winter, not something that often stays consistent, so for that we are grateful. Our study in the Book of James has brought out many thought provoking questions and comments from the students. They are being stretched and challenged in their daily walk through the teaching of God’s word. Our small group Bible study has been looking at the character of Christ and looking for specific ways of applying Christ-like characteristics in their own lives. We both continue to disciple individuals apart from formal Bible studies. God has been good and we have seen tremendous growth in these individuals as they strive to find unique and specific ways to serve and glorify Him. The idea of missions as a summer ministry and perhaps beyond has come to the forefront of some, and it is beyond words to describe how exciting it is to watch their enthusiasm overcome natural apprehension and fear. One of our students was driven to bring a film entitled “As We Forgive,” to the attention of CBF resulting in our being able to sponsor the film on the BSU campus. The film, centered on the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, is a powerful portrayal of the emotional struggle of those who had much to forgive, as well as those who desperately desired forgiveness. Christ’s message of love, grace and forgiveness is presented in the film, but also presented was the tremendous anger, despair and honest reflections of those seeking peace by reaching a state of forgiveness. Roughly fifty people attended the event, and a good discussion followed leading to a second showing of the film on a later date. Please pray for our students as they seek unique ministry opportunities and push beyond their natural inclinations to just ‘let someone else do it.’ They truly are a beacon in a dark world.

Our family joyfully expanded with two new granddaughters in 2009, and began the New Year with the news that our son Alan will be getting married in Romania this summer. His lovely bride Eliada loves the Lord and loves him, what more can parents ask. We are thrilled and looking forward to a family reunion as we all gather in Romania for his special day. Nikki also informed us recently that she is expecting her second child in the fall. We are beyond happy, but do ask for prayer for her, as the last pregnancy was not an easy one. Paula and her husband are doing well and happily busy with their three little ones, and Tori and Ben have adjusted well to parenthood.

God is so very good to us, and we are so very grateful to you, our dear friends and supporters who uphold us in prayer often. Thank you again for your faithfulness. We are eternally grateful and claim the promise that eternal blessings will be yours.

Together in His Service!