News Archives

Farms International continues their work in Thailand, where economic upheaval left the government in disarray. Following a slow, somewhat anemic recovery, many people were left trying to pick up THE pieces of their lives–and found themselves needing help. Three years ago, Farms launched a special loan program along the northern border near Lao. Farms’ Mike Phillips. “You have a group of people that are very poor, especially the tribal people. They’re not looking for handouts, but they are open for help to get them over the rough time, and so, they’re not looking for free money, but they are looking for ways to get ahead and they’re very happy to pay back the money that they have borrowed.” Phillips says loans are repaid to a revolving fund and recipients agree to tithe to their local church. The result? Families find a biblical path out of poverty and their churches are strengthened. “I think that they [other believers] can pray that where there is a need, that we can answer that need-people who truly do need the money can come and find it; it’s an open door.”

Meanwhile, Voice of the Martyrs is reporting a close call. The unregistered house church of Mr. & Mrs. Allen Yuen recently experienced an disruption in their Sunday services. The Public Security Bureau came to the meeting and attempted to terminate the meeting. However, the believer’s who were gathered at this time, and also Mrs. Yuen, told the officers that they were practicing religious freedom. The police then believed that discretion was the better part of valor, and left the meeting without making any arrests. Pray more for China.

Meanwhile, Operation Blessing International recently concluded a special trip to eight towns in Guatemala. OBI workers handed out 54-hundred backpacks and school-supply bags filled with the items the children need to begin the school year. In a country with a literacy rate of 56-percent, the Back-To-School program provides a huge boost in keeping children in school. Through this program, OBI shows Christian compassion to the kids and gives them hope for a future.

While the PGA Championship is underway in the United States, Christian golfers are after more than first prize. According to former player and golf commentator Bobby Clampett there are a lot of players who are becoming more interested in speaking out about their faith. They’re doing so by giving glory to God for their success during media interviews. He says God has had a tremendous influence on many players on the PGA Tour. Clampett says Christian golfers are also witnessing to their peers, which is turning hearts to Christ.

Meanwhile, in the United States, youth pastors and lay leaders are getting the training they need to be effective in ministry. Youth Evangelism Explosion is gearing up for a special four day clinic scheduled for September 5th though the 8th. Vice President for Youth E-E Rick Bond says the training isn’t simply how to lead young people to Christ. “The old story about teach a person how to fish, rather than giving them the fish and then they eat. In this case the analogy goes even further. They will go places I will never go. And so I think it’s critically important to look at your ministry as a multiplication potential rather than just an addition.” Bond says training has changed, but the message hasn’t. “The message of the Gospel is timeless, changeless and “transcultural” however the generation in which we share it has changed quite radically. And so, we’re constantly looking at what we say and how do we best communicate that changeless, timeless, truth of the Gospel.” Openings for the Florida training are still available. Send your name, address and e-mail to: [email protected] to reserve your spot.