SOUTH ASIA — Believers Eastern Church dioceses marked World Food Day with compassionate initiatives aimed at alleviating hunger in local communities. From distributing warm meals and food packets to providing fruit and dry rations, the church’s efforts touched the lives of the hungry, the needy, and those living in leprosy colonies. Women’s Fellowship teams, Hope… Continue reading Believers Eastern Church Marks World Food Day with Acts of Compassion
Results for "Compassion Services"
Missionary Doctor Brings Compassionate Care to Rural Kenya and Beyond
KAPSOWAR, KENYA — In a remote part of eastern Africa, American missionary doctors and African medical professionals bring compassionate care to some of the area’s neediest people. It’s led one American family to dedicate the rest of their lives to serving on the continent. George Thomas of CBN News reports from Kenya. George: I traveled… Continue reading Missionary Doctor Brings Compassionate Care to Rural Kenya and Beyond
Samaritan’s Purse Compassionate Medical Care brings Faith, Hope, and Healing in Lviv, Ukraine
LVIV, UKRAINE — Samaritan’s Purse is providing compassionate medical care in a clinic at the Lviv train station in Ukraine for sick and injured refugees who are fleeing the carnage across their country. Natasha – Lviv Resident: Many refugees are coming from completely different corners of our Ukraine. People are demoralized. They don’t see what… Continue reading Samaritan’s Purse Compassionate Medical Care brings Faith, Hope, and Healing in Lviv, Ukraine
Providing Compassionate Care in Ukraine
CENTRAL UKRAINE — Samaritan’s Purse is in Ukraine providing medical and trauma care for internally displaced people and for those living in conflict-affected areas. Anastasia and Vadym Ermishyn – Ukrainian Internally Displaced Persons: When the war started, we were awakened at 4:30 a.m. by the sound of explosions and air raid sirens. Tavel Litvin –… Continue reading Providing Compassionate Care in Ukraine
Compassion Is More Than Just a Word
WILLS POINT, TX – Compassion is more than just a word. In fact, dictionaries identify compassion as a noun, i.e., a thing. But the complete meaning of compassion goes far beyond being a noun. By its very nature and derivation, compassion describes physical action. Compassion is the juxtaposition of two Latin words that means “to… Continue reading Compassion Is More Than Just a Word
India Republic Day Celebrated with Acts of Kindness by Gospel for Asia-Supported Sisters of Compassion
KERALA, INDIA – January 26 is celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. The holiday observes the anniversary of the date in 1950 when the Constitution of India became law. Although the actual document was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on the 26th of November, 1949, the effective date was purposely set as January 26… Continue reading India Republic Day Celebrated with Acts of Kindness by Gospel for Asia-Supported Sisters of Compassion
Sisters of Compassion deliver gifts—and hope—to remote villagers in India
WILLS POINT, Texas —Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Sisters of Compassion recently delivered gifts to improve the lives of children and poor widows in a remote village in northeastern India. The Sisters of Compassion are specialized women workers trained to minister to the poor. The items they supplied included school supplies for the children and tin… Continue reading Sisters of Compassion deliver gifts—and hope—to remote villagers in India
Special Needs Center in Serbia Opens the Doors to Community
SERBIA — Breaking ground on Joni’s House in Serbia marks the beginning of Joni’s dream coming true—to serve and bless individuals with special needs and their families in Serbia and the surrounding region. Through Joni’s House programs, Christian ministry Joni and Friends identifies and meets the needs of people living with disabilities through local, Christ-centered… Continue reading Special Needs Center in Serbia Opens the Doors to Community
How Positively Impacting 20% of Prisoners Can Change an Entire Prison Culture
WASHINGTON — Today, Prison Fellowship International (PFI), the world’s largest network of Christian ministries working in the criminal justice field, released a groundbreaking white paper, “Reaching a Tipping Point of Transformation in the Prisons of the World.” This comprehensive document outlines a bold theory of change, proposing that by engaging 20% of a prison population… Continue reading How Positively Impacting 20% of Prisoners Can Change an Entire Prison Culture
Helping Families Living With Disability in Brazil Through Vocational Training
BRAZIL — Bruna and Ana Cristina, both mothers of children with autism, share how they found hope and support through Joni’s House Brazil, which they discovered through their church.After taking a soap-making course offered by Joni’s House, Bruna and Ana Cristina started their own business making and selling soaps. This new venture not only provides… Continue reading Helping Families Living With Disability in Brazil Through Vocational Training
The Blessing of Mobility and Faith in the Philippines
PHILIPPINES — Joni and Friends recently sent a team to the Philippines where they met Robby, who was born with cerebral palsy. Robby’s condition limits his ability to walk and be independent, leaving his family struggling with the physical and emotional challenges of caregiving. But despite the hardships that he and his family face, Robby… Continue reading The Blessing of Mobility and Faith in the Philippines
Prestonwood Baptist Church and Prestonwood Christian Academy to Host 20th Annual Biblical Worldview Conference with Top Christian Thinkers, September 22-24
PLANO, TX — Prestonwood Baptist Church and Prestonwood Christian Academy are excited to host the 20th annual Biblical Worldview Conference September 22-24 in the Worship Center at the Plano Campus. BWC is the nation’s largest apologetics conference dedicated to equipping students, educators, and parents with a Christian worldview. This year’s conference theme, “Worldview Matters,” highlights… Continue reading Prestonwood Baptist Church and Prestonwood Christian Academy to Host 20th Annual Biblical Worldview Conference with Top Christian Thinkers, September 22-24
Prison Fellowship International and Faith Comes By Hearing Announce Partnership to Reach 700,000 Prisoners in 70 Countries Over Next Five Years
WASHINGTON andALBUQUERQUE, NM — Prison Fellowship International (PFI) and Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) have signed a new agreement to share the Gospel with hundreds of thousands of prisoners and tens of thousands of families participating in PFI’s programs, The Listener’s Way® (TLW) and PromisePath® (PrP), including the distribution of 90,000 audio and video Bibles… Continue reading Prison Fellowship International and Faith Comes By Hearing Announce Partnership to Reach 700,000 Prisoners in 70 Countries Over Next Five Years
Family’s Life Changed When Their “Miracle Boy” Got a Wheelchair in the Philippines
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — When Jacob was born he couldn’t breath and was declared dead. But his parents prayed and ten minutes later he started breathing, so they called him their miracle boy. Now 7-years-old Jacob has cerebral palsy and his family had no access to a wheelchair. But through the Joni and Friends Wheels for… Continue reading Family’s Life Changed When Their “Miracle Boy” Got a Wheelchair in the Philippines
EEM Announces Availability of New 499 Project Bible Illustrations for Proverbs
HURST, TX — EEM (Eastern European Mission), a ministry that has been providing free Bibles in former Communist bloc countries and surrounding nations since 1961, is excited to announce the newest “Envisioning Truth 499” addition, highlighting the book of Proverbs. Made possible by Publishing Director Scott Hayes, this creative, educational compilation has previously included 499… Continue reading EEM Announces Availability of New 499 Project Bible Illustrations for Proverbs
Single Father Encounters Christ-Centered Community at Family Retreat
CALIFORNIA— Joni and Friends Family Retreat provides a place where families living with disability can find love, community, and Christ-centered support. Mike’s story of finding hope through hardship is just a peek into the lives of the many families who attend Family Retreat. Mike “Boston” Andrejczyk: My oldest son, Naim, was adopted through Family Services.… Continue reading Single Father Encounters Christ-Centered Community at Family Retreat
Prison Fellowship International and Eastern European Mission Partner to Distribute More Than 100,000 Bibles and Scripture Resources
WASHINGTON and FORT WORTH, TX — Prison Fellowship International (PFI) and Eastern European Mission (EEM) have signed a new agreement to provide 71,000 adult, 8,500 teen and 34,500 child-friendly Bibles to seven PFI national affiliates across Eastern Europe, which will be distributed to prisoners and their families in the months and years to come. The… Continue reading Prison Fellowship International and Eastern European Mission Partner to Distribute More Than 100,000 Bibles and Scripture Resources
Military Couples Celebrate Renewal in Christ
DENVER, COLORADO — Alaska alumni were encouraged and strengthened together by the power of God’s Word during the 2024 Operation Heal Our Patriots Reunion in Colorado. This year’s reunion was the largest ever, with more than 700 military couples attending. The weekend event included worship, fellowship, and workshops on marriage and spiritual renewal. Is your… Continue reading Military Couples Celebrate Renewal in Christ
Providing Homes and the Hope of Jesus in Uganda
UGANDA— Today an estimated 1.3 billion people in the world live with a disability. Many of these people are in developing countries where they have limited access to medical care and mobility equipment. And too often, poverty and discrimination intensify the difficulties of living with a disability.That’s why the Joni and Friends program—Joni’s House—is committed… Continue reading Providing Homes and the Hope of Jesus in Uganda
Prison Fellowship International’s Flagship In-Prison Evangelism Program Reaches Milestone Anniversary
WASHINGTON — Prison Fellowship International’s flagship in-prison program, The Prisoner’s Journey® (TPJ) has reached its 10-year anniversary. This program, launched in South Africa and Nigeria in 2014, now runs in 35 countries across six continents. TPJ takes those in prison on a journey of self-discovery through the Gospel of Mark where they encounter Jesus the… Continue reading Prison Fellowship International’s Flagship In-Prison Evangelism Program Reaches Milestone Anniversary
Vital Wheelchair Deliveries in Rio de Janeiro
RIO DE JANEIRO — The humanitarian organization, Joni and Friends, aims to provide wheelchairs in Rio de Janeiro to respond to Jesus’ mandate in Luke 14: “…bring the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…so that my house will be full.” Katie Oliver – Wheels for the World: Over 40 million people live in… Continue reading Vital Wheelchair Deliveries in Rio de Janeiro
Providing Vital Wheelchairs in Brazil
BRAZIL — Joni and Friends aims to provide wheelchairs to respond to Jesus’s command in Luke 14 to “Go out quickly…and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…so that my house will be full.” Their Wheels for the World program is just one of the ways they seek to answer that… Continue reading Providing Vital Wheelchairs in Brazil
GFA World Responds to Devastating Nepal Earthquake
WILLS POINT, TX — A U.S.-based global mission agency says several of its partner churches were left “broken” by a devastating earthquake that struck remote Western Nepal Nov. 3, killing more than 150 people. “We have also lost cherished members of our church family in this heart-wrenching tragedy,” said K.P. Yohannan (Metropolitan Yohan), founder of… Continue reading GFA World Responds to Devastating Nepal Earthquake
Marleny Overcomes Adversity and Finds Hope in Peru
PERU — Marleny was without support for her daughter Gaudalupe, who lives with disabilities. Running out of hope, Marleny had nowhere to turn for help in Peru. That’s when Jesus came in… A neighbor visited Marleny and told her about Jesus. The Good News strengthened Marleny to keep going, and she joined a local church.… Continue reading Marleny Overcomes Adversity and Finds Hope in Peru
Prestonwood Baptist Church & Christian Academy to host Biblical worldview conference September 24-26
PLANO, TX — Prestonwood Baptist Church and Prestonwood Christian Academy will host their annual Biblical Worldview Conference September 24–26 at the church’s Plano Campus. Formerly named Biblical Worldview Institute, the conference has drawn students, educators and parents from throughout North Texas since 2005. It is designed to challenge mainstream culture with intentional, thought-provoking speakers and… Continue reading Prestonwood Baptist Church & Christian Academy to host Biblical worldview conference September 24-26
Andre’s Story: Finding Acceptance in the Body of Christ in El Salvador
EL SALVADOR — Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. They bring this vision to reality through programs like International Family Retreat. Andre’s family in El Salvador experienced finding inclusion in Christ, transforming acceptance and love through family retreat… Continue reading Andre’s Story: Finding Acceptance in the Body of Christ in El Salvador
The Adam’s Family: Give, and It Shall Be Given Unto You
EL SALVADOR — Yolo didn’t know Family Retreat could bless her family. She first got involved with Joni and Friends by encouraging another family to attend Family Retreat. After hearing the story of Alex’s family and the challenges they face navigating life with his autism, she decided to help raise funds to give them the… Continue reading The Adam’s Family: Give, and It Shall Be Given Unto You
Farah’s Return to the Nineveh Plains
IRAQ — Farah was just one of around 70,000 Christians who fled to Erbil to escape the advancement of so-called Islamic State in 2014. When she returned, Open Doors partners helped her to restore her home and business in Nineveh Plains. Farah can well recall the day in 2014 when her family fled their home… Continue reading Farah’s Return to the Nineveh Plains
Italian Chef Prepares Meals for Veteran Couples in Alaska Needing Physical, Spiritual Renewal
ALASKA — Chef Pasquale Presa came to Samaritan Lodge Alaska to cook for Operation Heal Our Patriots veterans and their spouses. He also shared some secrets with their cooks about preparing great Italian dishes for our heroes. Pasquale Presa – Pasquale’s neighborhood Pizzeria: I have a special bond to the United States. We came to… Continue reading Italian Chef Prepares Meals for Veteran Couples in Alaska Needing Physical, Spiritual Renewal
Baylor University Study Affirms Prison Fellowship International In-Prison Program Mission
WASHINGTON — A new Baylor University study provides evidence of the virtuous effects of religion on mental health among prisoners, affirming the mission of Prison Fellowship International (PFI) in-prison program, The Prisoner’s Journey® (TPJ). “This study confirms what we have believed for a long time,” said David Van Patten, Chief Operating Officer of PFI. “That… Continue reading Baylor University Study Affirms Prison Fellowship International In-Prison Program Mission
Family Retreat: An Oasis of Hope for The Rojas Family Living with Disability
MICHIGAN – Joni and Friends Family Retreat specifically focus on families navigating the challenges of disability. They strive to create a rich, Christ-centered environment at each Family Retreat that is safe and accepting for each member of the family. Find out how life-transforming this was recently for the Rojas family. Gerardo Rojas: Our idea of… Continue reading Family Retreat: An Oasis of Hope for The Rojas Family Living with Disability
Churches Learn to Embrace People with Disabilities
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA — Joni and Friends works to equip and mobilize churches to welcome and embrace people with disabilities by removing barriers and creating a church culture that sees all people as indispensable parts of the body of Christ, created in God’s image, and worthy of dignity and respect. Parent 1: Our experience with… Continue reading Churches Learn to Embrace People with Disabilities
Wheelchair Allows Didina to See the Sky for the First Time in 30 Years
ROMANIA — Didina was paralyzed at age 22 due to an unknown condition. Then for 30 years she lay in a small dark bedroom wanting to die to get free from the bed that felt like a prison.Joni and Friends Wheels for the World volunteers heard Didina’s story and came to provide her with physical… Continue reading Wheelchair Allows Didina to See the Sky for the First Time in 30 Years
Joni and Friends’ First International Wheelchair Restoration Center in El Salvador
EL SALVADOR — Through its flagship Wheels for the World™ program, Joni and Friends collects and restores used wheelchairs, then delivers the like-new chairs to people around the world in need of mobility equipment.Joni and Friends recently opened its first international wheelchair restoration center, located in El Salvador—the first of multiple centers slated to open… Continue reading Joni and Friends’ First International Wheelchair Restoration Center in El Salvador
Gospel for Asia (GFA World) Aids ‘Traumatized’ Turkey Quake Survivors
WILLS POINT, TX — Mission agency GFA World (Gospel for Asia) is helping to provide vital aid to traumatized survivors of the massive earthquake and aftershocks in Turkey, as the number of deaths now stands at more than 47,000. “Right now, Gospel for Asia (GFA World) is working with our partners to bring relief to the… Continue reading Gospel for Asia (GFA World) Aids ‘Traumatized’ Turkey Quake Survivors
Leaving a Legacy of Joy Through a Wheelchair: Vicki Price’s Story
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO — After many years of not being able to have children of their own, the Price family felt God was calling them to adopt children with disabilities. One of their many adopted children, Vicki Price, was a joy to all who met her, always smiling even though she lived with a debilitating disability.Her… Continue reading Leaving a Legacy of Joy Through a Wheelchair: Vicki Price’s Story
Helping Families Living with Disability Find Their Place in Church
RIDGELAND, MS — Did you know that there is an unreached people group in your neighborhood? Only 5-10% of the world’s disabled population are effectively reached with the Gospel. That makes people with disabilities one of the largest unreached people groups in the world! For Joshua and his mother, a welcoming church in Ridgeland, Mississippi… Continue reading Helping Families Living with Disability Find Their Place in Church
Ian’s Perfect Gift: A Pediatric Wheelchair and Gospel Hope
EL SALVADOR — Four-year-old Ian from El Salvador was born prematurely. Lack of oxygen at birth caused a brain injury, leaving Ian with cerebral palsy. Living under the double weight of poverty and disability, Ian’s parents couldn’t afford a wheelchair for their son. Then, at a Joni and Friends Wheels for the World™ outreach in… Continue reading Ian’s Perfect Gift: A Pediatric Wheelchair and Gospel Hope
Hurricane Ian ‘Christmas’ Story
ENGLEWOOD, FL — You could barely see the petite woman standing on her porch behind the mangled trees and debris from Hurricane Ian. Despite the massive destruction, the 74-year-old woman who goes by “Christmas” greeted Randy Martin and Will Murphy, two chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT), welcoming them into her Englewood,… Continue reading Hurricane Ian ‘Christmas’ Story
Baylor Data: Prison Fellowship International Program Builds Case for Restorative Prisons
ATLANTA — Prison Fellowship International (PFI), an international nonprofit ministry working to transform the lives of prisoners through Jesus’s love, was in the spotlight Thursday as a diverse group gathered at the American Society of Criminology 77th Annual Meeting to examine the future of criminology. During an examination of the robust role of religion in… Continue reading Baylor Data: Prison Fellowship International Program Builds Case for Restorative Prisons
Open Doors Enables Mimi’s Family to Stay in Iraq
IRAQ — Mimi (12) was very young when she fled her home in Bartella with her grandparents after so-called Islamic State invaded the Nineveh Plains. Until recently, Mimi’s parents were considering leaving Iraq – until they received a microloan to set up a farm through Open Doors partners. Mimi: “I love Iraq, because it is… Continue reading Open Doors Enables Mimi’s Family to Stay in Iraq
Cissie Graham Lynch Ministers Alongside Chaplains Near Her Home in Florida
FORT MYERS, FL — Cissie Graham Lynch, daughter of Franklin Graham, lives with her family in Fort Myers, Florida, one of the areas slammed by Hurricane Ian. The state’s deadliest storm in 87 years claimed well over 100 lives, destroyed businesses, washed away homes, and tossed boats against houses, into trees, and along the roads.… Continue reading Cissie Graham Lynch Ministers Alongside Chaplains Near Her Home in Florida
Hurricane Survivor Finds Christ After the Storm
FORT MYERS, FL — As Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains walked down streets strewn with debris, they stopped to talk to one shocked survivor named Elaine whose home and yard were covered with fallen trees affected by the hurricane. The conversation turned to spiritual matters, and Elaine decided it was time to surrender her… Continue reading Hurricane Survivor Finds Christ After the Storm
Ministering to Broken Hearts After Raleigh Shooting
HEDINGHAM, RALEIGH — Jennifer Metallo is among several crisis-trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team who call Raleigh, North Carolina, home.On October 13th a teenage suspect opened fire in a residential area in Raleigh, shooting and killing five people and leaving this community overcome with grief. Metallo, who has traveled as a chaplain… Continue reading Ministering to Broken Hearts After Raleigh Shooting
Franklin Graham on the Hurricane Ian Response
FORT MYERS, FL — While in Lee County, Florida, Franklin Graham noticed the streets lined with furniture after people’s homes were flooded in Hurricane Ian. “It just breaks your heart,” he said. “But the chaplains are encouraging them, loving them, praying with them.” As homeowners endure the aftermath of the Category 4 storm, crisis-trained chaplains… Continue reading Franklin Graham on the Hurricane Ian Response
Prestonwood Baptist Church and Prestonwood Christian Academy to Host Biblical Worldview Institute ‘Anchored’ Conference
PLANO, TX — Prestonwood Baptist Church, Christian Thinkers Society and Prestonwood Christian Academy will host “Anchored,” a 2-day conference hosted by the school’s Biblical Worldview Institute (BWi), Nov. 1 and 2. Hosted at the church’s Plano Campus, BWi Anchored features world-class speakers including Dr. Sean McDowell, Alisa Childers, Dr. Scott Stripling, Dr. Craig Evans, Dr. Randy… Continue reading Prestonwood Baptist Church and Prestonwood Christian Academy to Host Biblical Worldview Institute ‘Anchored’ Conference
Fadi Stays in Iraq to Serve in His Church
IRAQ — As a young boy living in Baghdad, Fadi experienced a lot of trauma when the Iraq war broke out in 2003. But Fadi has stayed to serve as a lay leader in his church. Fadi: “During the period of 2006 and 2007 there would be 15 or 16 explosions in just one day… Continue reading Fadi Stays in Iraq to Serve in His Church
Syrian Alaa Finds a Better Future
AL-HWASH, SYRIA — When Alaa was displaced because of the Syrian war, he found a brighter future through a Centre of Hope, which helped him to establish a sawmill business. Alaa: “It’s an indescribable feeling for someone to be displaced, to lose his house, to lose everything he has.” It was 2011 when Alaa fled… Continue reading Syrian Alaa Finds a Better Future
From Exhaustion to Rest at Joni and Friends Family Retreat
JACKSON, MS — Reyna is a mother to four children in Jackson, Mississippi. Her oldest kids, Belen (19) and Leonardo (16), have disabilities that require the use of wheelchairs and around-the-clock care. Even with the help of her 10-year-old son, Yahir, to feed and change his siblings, Reyna lives in a state of mental and… Continue reading From Exhaustion to Rest at Joni and Friends Family Retreat