LONDON, ENGLAND — There are believed to be around 500 Christian prisoners of faith in Eritrea, many imprisoned indefinitely under appalling conditions. However recent reports indicate a growing number of them have been released. A trusted contact of Release International says the government has set free 27 prisoners, most of whom have been behind bars…
WASHINGTON, DC — Evangelist Franklin Graham says for believers, the most important weapon is prayer – and that’s what he and thousands of his brother and sisters in Christ were doing in America’s capital today: praying … for America. The focus of Prayer March 2020 from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol – a…
NORTH KOREA — North Korea is on the verge of a catastrophic meltdown according to reports reaching Open Doors from North Korean Christians. “North Korea faces a major crisis with multiple causes,” says Timothy Cho, North Korean escapee. “Covid-19 lockdown, catastrophic flooding, and international sanctions.” Although the North Korean Government has claimed that they have…
ISRAEL — Shaya Ben-Yehuda, managing director of international relations at Yad Vashem, shares regarding the incredible true story of Corrie ten Boom. In Jewish culture, we believe that only very few, the most virtuous of all, have the distinction of passing through the “gateway to the Lord” while still in this world. Similarly, very few…
QAMISHLI, SYRIA — Pastor George Moushi leads a church in Qamishli, northern Syria. His church responded when the region was invaded by Turkish forces last autumn, providing vital aid for many vulnerable Syrians. Support from Open Doors has kept them going as they faced a very visible threat – bombs, soldiers, Islamic extremists and now…
SANFORD, FL — Ligonier Ministries will release the first episode of a new podcast, Luther: In Real Time, on October 10. As its title suggests, the dramatic podcast enables listeners to walk in Martin Luther’s footsteps five hundred years to the day, from his heresy charges on October 10, 1520, to his famous stand for…
CHAMPAIGN, IL — When support from mainland U.S. dropped due to the COVID 19 pandemic, orphanages in Haiti faced a food shortage. A church in Puerto Rico applied to empty tomb®, inc.’s Mission Match® to fill the gap. Even though Puerto Rico is still recovering from Hurricane Maria (2017), Pastor Rolando Cruz of the Iglesia…
KIGALI, RWANDA – Africa New Life began extending its hands of evangelism and compassion to the suffering nation of Rwanda in 2001. The country was just beginning to recover from what has been described as “the swiftest genocide in history.” Over 800,000 Rwandans had been slaughtered over a period of 90 days. More than 600,000…
DALLAS, TX – Launch Global is a faith-based organization helping to prepare young people whom the Lord is calling to unreached people groups. The organization partners with local churches to mentor and deploy young people fully prepared in their heart and mind and soul for the work that awaits them. Preparation is a journey of…
DALLAS, TX – The SIL International story began in the jungles of Guatemala when 21-year-old William Cameron Townsend was distributing Spanish translation Bibles among the Kaqchikel Indians. In the midst of his missionary work telling the Kaqchikel about the Jesus of the Bible, one astute Indian confounded the Bible college-educated Townsend with this question. “If…
SANFORD, FL – Americans are becoming theologically and spiritually weaker. It is more and more obvious as we read and watch the daily news, and as researchers publish survey results that measure our changing perspectives on all things moral and Biblical. Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research collaborate every two years to monitor “The State of…
RALEIGH, NC – Refugee Hope Partners’ (RHP) name pretty well explains why the organization exists. RHP is a relatively small ministry, but its services are a big deal for refugees from around the globe who have settled in Raleigh, North Carolina. More than 60 million people have been displaced worldwide. Unfortunately, these people often become…
MONUMENT, CO – The vision for 4D Ministries was planted in the hearts of Hank and Mona Paulson as an extension of other ministries under their care during the era of the Cold War. When the Curtain Went Up The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 was not merely a symbol of the entire…
WILLS POINT, TX – Fidelity Charitable published an article recently that discussed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on charitable giving to NGOs and FBOs. Fidelity noted that “The COVID-19 pandemic has upended daily routines and impacted communities across the world in unprecedented ways. No corner of our society has been left untouched by the…
HENRICO, VA – Good News Jail & Prison Ministry is the largest independent provider of chaplains for jails and prisons worldwide, serving in 22 states and 25 countries. GNJPM will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2021. Good News JPM’s vision is “To reach every inmate in the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ…
NEW YORK – The International Day of Peace was initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981. Twenty years later, the General Assembly agreed unanimously to “invite all nations and people” to cease violence and hostilities during the 24 hours of the International Day of Peace. The theme for this year’s observance is “Shaping…
IRAQ — Dalia is a woman of remarkable spiritual strength and fortitude. Her life was threatened by so-called Islamic State and her home in the Ninevah plains was ransacked, but with support from Open Doors she has overcome these difficulties to become a leading figure in her local church. In 2014 the so-called Islamic State…
ORLANDO, FL — Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, is providing computer tablets and virtual tools to help mother-tongue translators continue their work in spite of COVID-19 and oppression from anti-Christian authorities. “Several Christians traveled from a dangerous country to…
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – It all began in 1979 when a few men had a vision for supporting the church behind the Iron Curtain. Knowing the church was struggling, they connected 12 Christian mission organizations to consider how to support the church at risk. In a great collaboration, they developed a comprehensive biblical training program…
STREAMWOOD, IL — Awana®, historically known for its midweek curriculum discipleship programs for children and youth, has released a new digital weekend curriculum “Brite,” now available via subscription. The flexible, engaging Bible lessons for elementary and student age groups fit Sunday school, large or small group models, as well as home discipleship. Awana practitioners and…
NIGERIA — Living in Plateau State in the middle band of Nigeria, Rose is in one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Nigeria is number 12 on Open Doors World Watch List, but it’s at the top of the list for Christians murdered because of their faith. And on…
CHARLOTTE, NC – Changed Choices is a different type of faith-based organization than those usually featured in Missions Box News. Perhaps that’s because its mission field is currently entirely within Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Or perhaps its because its mission field is one that is far too often neglected, regardless of where the need is…
ZION, IL – ZEMA is the acronym for the Zion Evangelical Ministries of Africa. Based, somewhat ironically in Zion, Illinois, ZEMA ministers primarily to the Zionists of independent African churches. This would probably be an appropriate time to explain African Zionism. This requires setting aside any preconceived notions of the popular usage of Zionism related…
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — A write-in survey sent to friends and supporters of D. James Kennedy Ministries reveals that Christian respondents, by overwhelming margins, want their pastors to speak out on moral and cultural concerns. On issue after issue–abortion, religious liberty, poverty, sexual identity, Israel, Christian heritage, role of government, church in politics/government, and radical…
PERU — Angela was born in Peru with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. With limited financial resources, her family suffered discrimination at local hospitals as they sought out tests and therapies for their daughter. Feeling rejected, Angela’s mother prayed for help. Through Joni and Friends, Angela’s mother received a tangible answer to her request. The charity’s…
BEIRUT — Churches in Lebanon are requesting urgent prayer following the explosion that wiped out Beirut’s port on Tuesday 4 August. The damage caused by the explosion will likely have a disastrous effect on the distribution of aid in the country, as well as the already-dire economic situation. Since the disaster Open Doors Partner Pastor…
NAVASOTA, TX – Barbeque Baptist Church is an outreach ministry of First Baptist Church of Navasota. Navasota is a small community about halfway between Houston and Waco. The good folks at First Baptist would like to invite you to stop by if you are in the area. If you can’t stop by, if you are…
COLORADO SPRINGS – When we research NGOs and faith-based organizations (FBOs) in preparation for publication on Missions Box News, we look for something that makes the organization unique. It was easy to find what makes Partner Parents exceptional in its own right. Partner Parents’ ministry is distinctive in that it focuses solely on providing a…
BAHAMAS — Samaritan’s Purse is partnering with 21 churches in the Bahamas to educate local communities on how to respond in a timely manner when a hurricane, like Dorian, or some other disaster strikes. Leonidas Roubas, Samaritan’s Purse In early September of 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck, 73 people dead and 280 people missing. We know that…
CAMBODIA — Cambodia’s disadvantaged live in poverty in both urban and rural slums, where prospects are bleak, and safety and the family unit is under threat. Operation Mobilisation’s Mercy Teams International provides education and social work programs which provide support for the poor and marginalized in Phnom Penh and enable Cambodia’s disadvantaged children to further…
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Since the advent of the Coronavirus crisis millions of Americans have addressed the fears and challenges raised by COVID-19 through prayer. As part of a new two-dimensional national survey of U.S. adults commissioned by The Presidential Prayer Team, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, profiles the prayer life of Americans. The survey of the…
GLENDALE, AZ – The Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University released the 8th in its series of reports revealing results from its American Worldview Inventory (AWVI) this week. This edition uncovered Americans’ “Views of Sin and Salvation.” Dr. George Barna, renowned Christian polling expert and Director of Research at the CRC, described the…
MARION, IN – World Gospel Mission (WGM) activated when two Christian families ventured to China in 1910 to minister alongside two native Chinese Christians. Those families prepared the field in which WGM’s subsequent sowing of the Gospel seed would become successful. Sent with Purpose By 1920, WGM had 15 missionaries, 50 Chinese workers, and hundreds…
WEST AFRICA – an IMB story. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the world….
LONDON — COVID aid is being refused for Christians in some countries unless they refuse to renounce their faith in Christ. In response, Open Doors is mobilizing its partners in some of the worst-hit countries to provide vital emergency food supplies. Persecution watchdog Open Doors UK & Ireland says it is “inundated” with reports of…
MERCER ISLAND, WA — Today, Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) honored 76 faith-based organizations as Certified Best Christian Workplaces for 2020. These organizations met the certification standard determined by exemplary ratings from their employees who completed BCWI’s groundbreaking Employee Engagement Survey between January and July 2020. All organizations evaluated their workplaces based on BCWI’s proprietary…
WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Gospel for Asia’s ministry as seen through eight videos on YouTube. Forty-one years ago, the Lord began answering the prayers of a young man from India, his wife and a few Christian…
THAILAND — Jackie was born in a small village in Thailand as a healthy typical boy. He could walk until he was five years old. “Then he started to fall down again and again. I didn’t really think much about it since I’m the village leader, I am responsible for everyone. I just thought he…
DALLAS, TX – According to Spoken Worldwide, seven out of ten people around the world do not have access to a Bible in their own language, and, if they did, they would not be able to read it. Think of it this way. If you have nine friends over for a backyard barbeque, seven of…
EASTON, MD — SAT-7 Kids in a media ministry to hildren living in a “world of fear” in the Middle East. Through a live Facebook event, they are helping kids to conquer their deepest anxieties — by sharing their own uplifting faith with others on satellite television and social media. Entangled in wars, social unrest,…
UNITED KINGDOM — Despite the challenges and restrictions surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic Operation Mobilisation (OM) missions team across the world are finding unprecedented opportunities and openness to share and demonstrate the Gospel. All over the world, people are desperately seeking aid and answers. In response OM workers are bringing relief, hope and the love of…
LONDON — It’s 65 years since Brother Andrew started taking Bibles to persecuted Christians in Eastern Europe. The work of Open Doors, the organization he founded, has changed significantly in its scope and methods – but at the heart of it is the same God and the same mission. As persecution watchdog Open Doors reached…
VANCOUVER, BC – J.I. Packer met the Lord face-to-face on July 17, 2020, when he passed from this life just a few days prior to his 94th birthday. I can think of no better way to remember J.I. Packer than to say that, beyond any doubt, he knew God. Everyone who knew him personally would…
LOVES PARK, IL — The Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) helped Evangelical Christians in Russia and the former Soviet Union to provide more than 1.5 million free meals to families facing hunger due to COVID-19 — even surprising frontline healthcare workers with food packages and a message of God’s love. “We’d like to share with you…
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The CARES Act rescued houses of worship that were forced to close during the recent COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Many faith groups and religious affiliates across the state grasped a financial lifeline through forgivable loans from the federal government. Congress approved the money through the Coronavirus Aid and Economic Security Act (CARES…
ALBANIA — God transformed Armando as a teen when a mentor from (Operation Mobilization) OM took time to study God’s Word and share life with him. Today, Armando reaches out to other youth in his home town of Dushk in Albania, helping them discover what it looks like to follow Jesus. Armando Dosti “Dushk is…
CHARLOTTE, NC — CMM thanks partners who helped send thousands of dollars weekly the last two months for feeding starving brethren in many nations in Africa and Asia. CMM works closely with known, trusted, indigenous missionaries in 70 nations. We have known many of these dear friends for years in India, Nigeria and Pakistan are…
JOPLIN, MO – In 1968, Bob Stacy, a professor at Ozark Bible College, was inspired to create a way to present the Gospel message to young people in a way that was contemporarily and culturally relevant. That’s not only difficult to do. It’s even more difficult to sustain. Kids today are not even remotely interested…
ATLANTA, GA – According to the One Hope Ministry website, the Lord burdened founder Bob Hoskins’ heart to understand that “Satan targets children in horrible ways to destroy the potential of the next generation.” He wept and prayed continually for many days until he was certain about what God was calling him to do to…
ST LOUIS, MO – Stephen Ministries are laypeople in local, Bible-believing churches who have been trained to come alongside others who are experiencing grief or stress in their lives. Galatians 6:2 is the basis for the compassionate, one-on-one, caregiving ministry by commissioned Stephen Ministers. “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill…
