I travel at least once a month between where I live and where my parents live. Every once in a while, as I wait in airports, I see people who are foreigners and do not know the God who loves them. It really breaks my heart, because according to God’s Word, they’re heading to hell… Continue reading The Nations Are Coming to Us
Results for "World Missions"
Too Much? Too Little? Too Late? South Asia’s Growing Water Crisis
INDIA – South Asia and the Indian subcontinent seem to be facing a perennial water crisis that may be getting worse rather than better. The problem is complex. It is not simply that there is too much or too little. While there is flooding in some regions there is a drought in others. Where there… Continue reading Too Much? Too Little? Too Late? South Asia’s Growing Water Crisis
On Eagles’ Wings
HARRISON, AR – Ron Hutchcraft Ministries (RHM) bears a strong similarity to that of Gospel for Asia (GFA) and many other faith-based NGOs in the 21st century. The ministry is a peer-to-peer outreach in which Indian people share the Gospel with other Indian people. By and large, both minister to the poorest of the poor… Continue reading On Eagles’ Wings
DHS Comes to Aid of Stranded Iranian Christians
WASHINGTON DC – The subject of immigration has become a tinderbox of contention among many Americans as well as Europeans and Australians. The substance of immigration issues is often obscured by a fog of conflicting opinions between personal compassion and the government’s responsibility to ensure the general welfare and domestic tranquility of its current residents.… Continue reading DHS Comes to Aid of Stranded Iranian Christians
24 Women in Nepal Graduate from BE Church Vocational Training
KATMANDU – The 14th graduating class of the Believers Eastern Church vocational training class in the Diocese of Pokhara, Nepal, completed their work on 14 July 2018. A total of 24 women received their tailoring certificates at the end of the six-month course. A century ago, sewing and tailoring was a necessity for women in… Continue reading 24 Women in Nepal Graduate from BE Church Vocational Training
TeenStreet 2018 – 3,200 Drawing Closer to the Father
OLDENBURG, GERMANY – A total of 3,200 attended Operation Mobilisation’s (OM) TeenStreet 2018 during the last week of July and ending on August 4th. The theme of this year’s six-day conference was “Drawing Closer to the Father.” Enthusiastic teens from 19 different countries were led through a different element of Christian living, each of which… Continue reading TeenStreet 2018 – 3,200 Drawing Closer to the Father
Why India’s Identity Politics Should Not Be a Surprise
MUMBAI – A recent study conducted by the Azim Premji University (APU) and the Center for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) concluded that “There is a distrust of leaders from outside the community across all classes, and all caste-class intersections.” Put simply, the majority of Indians prefer leaders with whom they identify most. Voter… Continue reading Why India’s Identity Politics Should Not Be a Surprise
Rwanda Exercising Strict Control of Churches
KIGALI – Thousands of churches across Rwanda look like this one. Empty. While government closure of churches has grown all too common in many countries where governments enforce state religions or cultural nationalism, nearly half of the population is Protestant, 43 percent are Catholic, and the remaining seven percent includes all other faiths. The KT… Continue reading Rwanda Exercising Strict Control of Churches
Churches & NGOs Activate to Aid Victims of Northern California Carr Fire
REDDING, CA – Witnesses to the devastation wrought by the Carr fire in Northern California have been describing the scene as apocalyptic. As of this morning, the fire is about 20 percent contained, but it has already consumed nearly 100,000 acres. Nearly 40,000 people have been evacuated. More than 500 buildings, including at least 300… Continue reading Churches & NGOs Activate to Aid Victims of Northern California Carr Fire
Peace in Eritrea and Ethiopia May Open Doors to Share the Gospel
ADDIS ABABA – The North African nations of Eritrea and Ethiopia have formally agreed to end the longest-running war on the continent. Christians in Ethiopia are praying that the agreement will present new opportunities to spread the Gospel. “With this new peace agreement, borders will be reopened and trade reinstated between the two countries. The… Continue reading Peace in Eritrea and Ethiopia May Open Doors to Share the Gospel
55,000 Displaced Syrian Children Are in Danger
DAMASCUS – Hundreds of thousands of innocent people have been killed in the seven-year-long Syrian Civil War. An estimated 11 million people have been displaced from their homes, creating one of the greatest refugee crises in history. Over 270,000 people have fled to southern Syria during the month of July. The single largest displacement of… Continue reading 55,000 Displaced Syrian Children Are in Danger
More Than Half of Women in India and Pakistan Are Anemic
JAIPUR – According to a report by IndiaSpend, “Anemia . . . impacts half of Indian women of reproductive age, increases the risk of maternal mortality, infection, preterm delivery, poor fetal and infant health, and puts children at lifelong risk of issues involving cognitive development and physical growth.” The report summarized the results of a… Continue reading More Than Half of Women in India and Pakistan Are Anemic
Turkish Court Keeps Pastor Andrew Brunson Jailed
IZMIR – Despite heightened optimism that a Turkish court might release U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson from prison today, expectations were dealt a blow when the court ordered him to remain in custody. The next hearing, his fourth, is scheduled for 12 October 2018. Brunson, 50, a native of North Carolina, has lived in Turkey for… Continue reading Turkish Court Keeps Pastor Andrew Brunson Jailed
On Front Lines of Women’s Empowerment and Providing Clean Water, Gospel for Asia Celebrates Its 39th Anniversary by Releasing 2017 Highlights
In 2017, Gospel for Asia (GFA) and its worldwide affiliates working in 18 Asian nations addressed women’s issues by empowering more than 350,000 women through various ministry efforts and installed 4,673 clean-water wells. Wills Point, Texas, Discussing Women’s Issues in Asia — This month, 39 years ago, Dr. KP Yohannan founded the organization Gospel for… Continue reading On Front Lines of Women’s Empowerment and Providing Clean Water, Gospel for Asia Celebrates Its 39th Anniversary by Releasing 2017 Highlights
Shocking New Report on Clean Water from WaterAid
LONDON – WaterAid, the international NGO that is driving the United Nations sustainable goal to provide clean water for the entire global population by 2030, has just released a shocking new report. Based on current status and progress, the report claims that the goal is unreachable within the allotted time. Using data provided by the… Continue reading Shocking New Report on Clean Water from WaterAid
Released Boko Haram Captive Pinning Her Problems to the Cross
ABUJA – The militant African group Boko Haram has terrorized Nigerians for nearly 10 years, destroying churches, schools, and homes. The infamously mass murder entire villages of people before burning the villages to the ground. They have taken more than 3,000 women and schoolgirls captive and attempt to convert them to Islam. Those who refuse… Continue reading Released Boko Haram Captive Pinning Her Problems to the Cross
TMS Global leader’s move adds to ranks of African Americans serving in international cross-cultural mission
Richard Coleman stepping down as senior director of mobilization and candidacy to serve in Ethiopia NORCROSS, Ga.—A forthcoming leadership transition at missions agency TMS Global comes at a time when it is pursuing a heightened commitment to seeing more non-whites serving in world evangelization. After more than a decade recruiting others for service with the… Continue reading TMS Global leader’s move adds to ranks of African Americans serving in international cross-cultural mission
Prayer and Praise for Rescue of Thai Boys
BANGKOK – Ardoon Sam-aon is a talented 14-year-old. He plays the piano and the guitar and participates in the youth program and praise team at Mae Sai Grace Church where he accepted Christ in March 2018. He has a 3.94 GPA as an eighth-grader at Ban Wiang Phan School. He is an avid volleyball and… Continue reading Prayer and Praise for Rescue of Thai Boys
Residents Pledge Tobacco-Free Effort Following Health Awareness Drive
Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers warn of dangers of tobacco to help demonstrate that ‘God cares for the whole person’ WILLS POINT, Texas—June 2017, residents of a community in northern India pledged to make it tobacco-free following a health awareness drive by Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers. Carrying placards and handing out advisory leaflets about… Continue reading Residents Pledge Tobacco-Free Effort Following Health Awareness Drive
China Closes Beijing’s Largest House Church
BEIJING – Chinese officials successfully closed and barred the doors of Beijing’s largest house church on July 8th, occupying it with ‘thugs’ to prevent members from entering. The closure is yet another in a growing list of moves by agents of the government to either gain oversight of or close Christian churches in China. The… Continue reading China Closes Beijing’s Largest House Church
Monsoons or Showers of Blessings in Bangladesh?
DHAKA – Imagine it is a rainy Sunday morning. You wake up, you consider the downpour, and you decide that the weather is too bad for anyone to go to church. And you are the pastor! Now imagine that you live in a country like Bangladesh and that it is the monsoon system, which it… Continue reading Monsoons or Showers of Blessings in Bangladesh?
New Service Offers Nonprofits ‘Better Bottomline Through Better Online’
InChrist Communications adds Journity ‘digital engagement’ expertise, enhancing website visitors’ experiences to suite of services CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Christian marketing and public relations agency InChrist Communications (ICC) is partnering with internet engagement expert Journity to help faith-based clients improve the online engagement of website visitors — and their bottomline. ICC is adding Journity’s “digital engagement”… Continue reading New Service Offers Nonprofits ‘Better Bottomline Through Better Online’
You’ll Be Amazed to Learn Where Most Christians Live
HAMILTON, MA – The estimated total population in the world is between 7.3 and 7.6 billion people. (It’s hard to keep an exact count. The number keeps changing!) It is probably even more difficult to assess how many Christians there are and where they live. First, by the time a count is determined, it has… Continue reading You’ll Be Amazed to Learn Where Most Christians Live
Algerian Christian ‘Free at Last’
ALGIERS – Idir Hamdad is a native Algerian. He was born into and raised in a Muslim home. In 2002, he and his family converted to Christianity which led to harassment from their neighbors. Islam is the state religion in Algeria, so conversion to any other religion is considered apostasy and is punishable by death.… Continue reading Algerian Christian ‘Free at Last’
Reaching the Tolupan
TEGUCIGALPA – With a total area of 43,433 square miles, it would seem that reaching everyone in a country of that size with the Gospel would be fairly easy. But then, the ability to reach people is not always defined by the square mileage in which they live. The Tolupan people, as seen in the… Continue reading Reaching the Tolupan
Christian Aid Agencies Preparing to Help Victims of Japan Floods
HIROSHIMA – The death toll keeps rising by the in Hiroshima Prefecture and seven other prefectures in the south of Japan. More than two million people have been forced to evacuate after record rainfalls have inundated the area. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that 14.3 inches of rain had fallen within a period of two… Continue reading Christian Aid Agencies Preparing to Help Victims of Japan Floods
Freedom of Religion Endangered by New Law in Laos
VIENTIANE – The constitution of the nation of Laos guarantees its citizens freedom of religion. Specifically, it recognizes their “right and freedom to believe or not to believe in religion.” In addition, Laos is “a state party” to the seven core international human rights treaties under which they are obligated to “respect, protect, and fulfill… Continue reading Freedom of Religion Endangered by New Law in Laos
Obstacles to Achieving ‘Open Defecation Free’ in South Asia
MUMBAI – India Spend recently inteview Naina Lal Kidwai. Kidwai was the former head of HSBC in India, the first woman in India to become the head of a foreign bank in the country. She is the current vice-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Water. She was instrumental in founding the… Continue reading Obstacles to Achieving ‘Open Defecation Free’ in South Asia
New Manual for Faith-Sensitive Approach by FBOs Excludes Proselytizing
GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) have collaborated to publish a new manual of guidelines for a “faith-sensitive approach” by faith-based organizations (FBOs). The 88-page document outlines guidelines by the UN-affiliated Inter-Agency Standing Committee for acceptable approaches for FBOs offering humanitarian responses to people in need around the globe.… Continue reading New Manual for Faith-Sensitive Approach by FBOs Excludes Proselytizing
UK Parliament Considers Call for UN International Day Commemorating Victims & Survivors of Religious Persecution
LONDON – British MP (Member of Parliament), Fiona Bruce tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM 1478) on 03 July 2018 proposing that the UK develop better mechanisms for tracking incidents of religious persecution and that it develop “strategic action plans” to prevent the escalation of those incidents into “mass atrocities.” Further, the motion calls upon… Continue reading UK Parliament Considers Call for UN International Day Commemorating Victims & Survivors of Religious Persecution
One-Time Rebel Invites Others to Follow in Her Risk-Taking Footsteps in Taking Gospel to Unreached
Troubled teen-turned-medical missionary aims to inspire others to trust God in new book chronicling her adventures in faith COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—A reformed rebel with a taste for adventure is looking to inspire others to step out and make a difference in the world. Sharing some hair-raising stories from more than 35 years’ missionary service in… Continue reading One-Time Rebel Invites Others to Follow in Her Risk-Taking Footsteps in Taking Gospel to Unreached
Ecuadorian Greenhouse Project Provides a Sweet Way of Sharing the Gospel
With an evangelistic message embedded, a cacao tree-raising initiative offers a welcome economic boost to rural communities COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Missionaries in South America have come up with a novel way of encouraging people to respond to the Bible’s invitation to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” They have started a project growing cacao trees—the… Continue reading Ecuadorian Greenhouse Project Provides a Sweet Way of Sharing the Gospel
En-Gedi – A Place of Refuge for Neglected Children in Kenya
KENYA – Margaret Njuguna is a native of Kenya. She was fortunate to have received training that qualified her to work at the Kenyan and Ugandan offices of World Renew, the global relief ministry of the Christian Reformed Church. When she made it clear that she wanted to do “something more,” a co-worker urged her… Continue reading En-Gedi – A Place of Refuge for Neglected Children in Kenya
Chief Minister to Seek Repeal of State Anti-Conversion Law in Arunachal Pradesh
ITANAGAR, ARUNACHAL PRADESH – Pema Khandu, the BJP Chief Minister of India’s northeastern-most state, Arunachal Pradesh, announced on 28 June 2018 that he would move to repeal the state’s Freedom of Religion Act of 1978 when parliament enters into its next session. It is the Freedom of Religion act that contains the ban against “conversion… Continue reading Chief Minister to Seek Repeal of State Anti-Conversion Law in Arunachal Pradesh
Operation Good Neighbor
JERUSALEM – The Jerusalem Post summed up the relationship between Israel and Syria saying “Jerusalem and Damascus have never had diplomatic relations and have been officially at war since Israel was established in 1948. In 1967 Israel took control of the 1,200 square kilometers of the Golan Heights from Syria during the Six Day War… Continue reading Operation Good Neighbor
8 Important Facts from the International Day for the Unreached
COLORADO SPRINGS – You can almost hear his feet as they crunch the pebbles on the dirty street as he passes a man selling a birdcage to a customer. You can almost feel the quiet despair as they go about their daily routine of existence. What is missing in this picture is any appearance of… Continue reading 8 Important Facts from the International Day for the Unreached
Pioneering Broadcast Ministry Helps Bring Ex-Con Movie’s Message of Hope to the Big Screen
HCJB Ecuador, Reach Beyond’s media partner in Ecuador, plays major supporting role in rare theatrical release for faith-based drama challenging viewers to ‘make a change for good’ COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Missionary radio broadcaster HCJB Ecuador, partner of Reach Beyond, has supported efforts to use another medium to share the good news—helping bring a faith-based movie to… Continue reading Pioneering Broadcast Ministry Helps Bring Ex-Con Movie’s Message of Hope to the Big Screen
South Korea Bans Voice of the Martyrs’ Bibles in Balloons
SEOUL – One of the chief ministries of Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is getting Bibles to nations where the Word of God is restricted. The ministry uses innovative means to place Bibles into the hands of people – in their own language – who would otherwise live their lives without ever reading the Good… Continue reading South Korea Bans Voice of the Martyrs’ Bibles in Balloons
Biblica, The International Bible Society, Announces Appointment of Geof Morin as New CEO
New leader arrives from senior executive role at partner Bible Society, inspired by ‘transforming hope of God’s Word’ COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Biblica, The International Bible Society, sponsor and copyright holder of the world’s bestselling English Bible, the New International Version, has announced the appointment of ministry leader Geof Morin as its new CEO. Currently… Continue reading Biblica, The International Bible Society, Announces Appointment of Geof Morin as New CEO
UNHCR Report Reveals Startling Facts About Global Refugee Crisis
GENEVA – “Wars, other violence, and persecution drove worldwide forced displacement to a new high in 2017 for the fifth year in a row, according to UNHCR’s annual Global Trends report, released on 19 June 2018. The report showed that 68.5 million people were displaced as of the end of 2017. Overwhelmingly it is developing… Continue reading UNHCR Report Reveals Startling Facts About Global Refugee Crisis
Israel Facing Water Crisis but Willing to Share
JERUSALEM – Drought and water shortages are plaguing nations all around the world. Blame it on whatever you choose, the need to provide adequate amounts of clean, sweet, potable water must be addressed before the local and regional water crises become a global, life-threatening crisis. Israel faces a potential crisis as the Sea of Galilee,… Continue reading Israel Facing Water Crisis but Willing to Share
Prayer Requests for Afghanistan
Imagine a country where you had to keep your faith silent for fear of being arrested. There are many people living in countries throughout the world that face this threat. Afghanistan is one of them. There are no churches, but mosques can be found on every street corner in the rugged and mountainous terrain of… Continue reading Prayer Requests for Afghanistan
GAFCON 2018 Proclaiming Christ Faithfully to the Nations
JERUSALEM – On the tenth anniversary of the first GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference), nearly 2,000 attendees met in Jerusalem, the site of the original GAFCON. The theme of the conference was “Proclaiming Christ Faithfully to the Nations.” GAFCON works to guard and proclaim the unchanging, transforming Gospel through biblically faithful preaching and teaching which… Continue reading GAFCON 2018 Proclaiming Christ Faithfully to the Nations
Business as Usual for Believers Eastern Church on International Widows Day
WILLS POINT, Texas – The United Nations has set aside June 23rd of each year as International Widows Day “as an opportunity for action towards achieving full rights and recognition for widows. According to the UN, “It has been estimated that there are some 258 million widows around the world, with over 115 million of… Continue reading Business as Usual for Believers Eastern Church on International Widows Day
Three Teenage Girls Brutally Raped, Burned
Imagine this: You have a teenage daughter who is brutally raped by a young man. After she tells you what happens, he kills her. Between May 5 to May 13, three Indian girls were raped and burned alive. The first victim was kidnapped by a group of men in Jharkhand while her parents were at… Continue reading Three Teenage Girls Brutally Raped, Burned
Gospel for Asia’s Special Report Spotlights Major Health Crisis That Also Opens Door to Demonstrate the Love of Christ
GFA (Gospel for Asia) highlights need for more toilets to cut avoidable death toll, in first of challenging series looking at major social issues. WILLS POINT, Texas—Missionary organization Gospel for Asia (GFA) is calling attention to a usually ignored, delicate subject at the heart of much of its caring work—a lack of toilets. In the… Continue reading Gospel for Asia’s Special Report Spotlights Major Health Crisis That Also Opens Door to Demonstrate the Love of Christ
India Cautiously Optimistic About Rare and Dangerous Nipah Virus Outbreak
NEW DELHI – One month ago today, the state of Kerala reported an outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus. This is the third outbreak of the virus in India since the beginning of the century. Seventeen people have died as a result of the recent outbreak. Although there is no known cure for Nipah, the… Continue reading India Cautiously Optimistic About Rare and Dangerous Nipah Virus Outbreak
Turkey’s President Warns of War Between the Cross and the Crescent
ANKARA – Turkish President Recep Erdoğan said this week that the decision of the Austrian government’s closure of seven mosques and expulsion of 60 Muslim imams may lead to war “between the cross and the crescent.” Erdoğan would have the world believe that Austria’s actions threaten world peace because its actions were “Islamophobic, racist, and… Continue reading Turkey’s President Warns of War Between the Cross and the Crescent
Gospel for Asia Issues Special Report on Remarkable Fathers
by Lou Gutheil, Gospel for Asia (GFA) guest writer “You fathers–if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!” (Luke 11:11-12 NLT) One of His disciples had asked Jesus to teach them how to… Continue reading Gospel for Asia Issues Special Report on Remarkable Fathers
A Year of Discipleship
Young adults ages 18–27 have the opportunity to go through a one- or two-year program called School of Discipleship (SD) with Gospel for Asia (GFA). In this program, students grow in their faith through prayer meetings and living in the community with fellow believers. “I have a better and deeper walk with the Lord and… Continue reading A Year of Discipleship