During this year’s World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) General Assembly, Gospel workers from around 125 nations set a daring goal to mark a historic milestone.

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NONRESIDENT via Unsplash

Joe Handley of A3 says the assembly centered on a bold aim: “The Gospel for everyone by 2033.” That year marks two millennia since Christ’s resurrection and ascension — a milestone Handley calls “a chance to rally and mobilize the Church and really celebrate the victory of the resurrection.”

Importantly, the 2033 target isn’t that everyone will accept Christ by that date, but that everyone will have a chance to hear.

“To make sure that everyone at least hears of the Gospel. So whether that’s through satellite technology, radio, digital communications, face to face through churches — at least, make sure that everyone has had a chance to hear the good news of Jesus Christ,” explains Handley.

Reaching the world also requires discipleship. Handley adds: “If we’re going to reach everyone with the Gospel, we need an ecosystem of disciple-making to do that.”

This kind of integral discipleship helps bring the Gospel into every sector of life — not only within the church through prayer, study, and fellowship, but far beyond. Integral discipleship transforms fcommunities through Christ’s example.

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“It involves the local church, the family, the businesses — every sector of society — working together in unity,” says Handley.

Bringing the Gospel into every part of life means believers must live out their faith in every sphere, from spiritual fellowship to business and community engagement.

“To get the Gospel to everyone, you have to have healthy, vibrant churches and families,” Handley adds.

True discipleship looks like Jesus — in vision, faith, action, and love for the world. Learn more at A3!

Pray for churches to strengthen in the Gospel, to build vibrant disciple-making communities, and to carry the Good News to every corner of the earth.

Header photo: Man Walking Next to the Graffiti, John 3:16 (photo courtesy of Paco Alonso via Pexels).

Eric Mock from SGA says, “What we found is that when the fall of the Soviet Union occurred, that they were hungry to know more but with the inrush of those wanting to come into the former Soviet Counties came all the different teaching.”

Some of the unbiblical teaching SGA seeks to combat in the region includes ideas that good works are not essential and that God’s Word is not authoritative, Mock explains.

Providing Theological Foundations

Pastors training students in a seminary located in Irpin, Ukraine.
(Photo courtesy of SGA)

SGA currently supports several seminaries throughout the former Soviet Union. These schools offer graduate-level training for those looking to become pastors, worship leaders, and Sunday School teachers.

Mock says, “We want these schools to be nationally led and nationally multiplying, so these schools are set apart with now incredible national teachers.”

Teachers graduating from these schools may then teach at SGA’s training centers to help other students learn. “There are extension centers now all across Russia, as well as in Ukraine and in Belarus,” Mock adds.

For SGA solid theological training is the key to supporting local church ministries and other ministries across the former Soviet Union. In places like Yakutia in Russia, Biblical training is transforming communities.

Mock adds that for three years now, SGA has been teaching local Christians in their own language in how to study and understand the Bible. Now students who have received this training are teaching others in their church about the Bible.

“Before these villages were steeped in paganism, and from these villages have come men who are now being saved by God, being transformed by His Word, and led by the Spirit.”

Supporting Biblical Training

Students receive training in Minsk, Belarus. (Photo courtesy of SGA)

Despite radical change happening from communities receiving Biblical training, it is often difficult for SGA to gather resources for it.

Mock says, “We really need help because the training institutions are the most difficult to support.”

“It’s a lot easier for people to be excited about ministry to orphans… but we have to undergird all the ministry with the right training.”

Mock explains that on one visit to an orphanage he met a young girl with 13 teddy bears. Each bear represented a gift for her from a foreign visitor on mission work in the area. Yet, when Mock asked her about Jesus, she had never heard of Him.

“I was astounded as I realized that so many of the ministries, even though well-intentioned, have not taken the time to really develop a great foundation in theological training,” Mock adds.

To support theological training in this region, click here to donate. You can also connect with SGA to get involved here.

Pray that more students in the former Soviet Union would have access to Biblical training. Ask the Lord to use that training to support ministry in the area and spread clear teaching about the Bible.

Header photo courtesy of Debby Hudson via Unsplash.

Some communities still don’t even have safe infrastructures. There’s a lack of food, and many of the people have been traumatized.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr/CC/DayBlakelyDonaldson)

In the midst of the tragedy surrounding the Ukrainian people, churches are struggling to make sense of what has happened.

Not too long ago, Eric Mock with Slavic Gospel Association traveled to Ukraine to help teach churches about Biblical counseling and Biblical training.

Mock says, “What we were doing on this trip is something that is really central to the heart of the work Slavic Gospel Association does, which is training and equipping local leaders and the believers in churches so they can be doing the work of the ministry.”

Ukrainian churches come to their neighbors with desperately needed food, resources, and the Gospel. But that’s not all. Church leaders also want to disciple believers to grow and continue to be transformed by Christ.

It takes an eternal perspective that looks beyond the struggles of their present circumstances. And Biblical training is vital to equipping pastors and Christian leaders in Ukraine.

“Sometimes in places where hopelessness reigns, it is so difficult. It’s important to understand God’s Word is completely sufficient and able to address the issues of life and move us from unbelief and hopelessness into comfort and peace in the middle of the storms of life,” Mock explains.

While in Ukraine, Mock helped train these pastors on where and how to use God’s Word, from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, in times of such tragedy and heartache, and how to find God and His peace in the middle of it all.

(Photo courtesy of Hannu Haukka)

“It’s just heartbreaking to see many people displaced, discouraged, fearful in the middle of the combat. Suffering from lives that were lost, some children who are now orphaned, mothers who are now unexpected widows trying to raise children. These type of hardships are commonplace in eastern Ukraine and the fighting still continues,” Mock explains.

In fact, some Ukrainian pastors supported by SGA minister to soldiers and work as chaplains on the Minskaccord line. Minskaccord refers to the treaty which was meant to end the hostilities between Russian rebels and the Ukrainian government through support of the Russian army. It’s a demilitarized, 15 kilometer area on either side of a jagged line along the eastern and western sides of Ukraine. The line represents a dividing line of hostilities.

However, while the fighting is ongoing in this area, it’s the people who are suffering. The people in villages go to bed each night to the sound of gunfire. They’re filled with anxiety and fear and lack food. But, this will hopefully one day change as SGA-supported pastors use their training to not only bring these people food, resources, and the Gospel, but also God’s Word to speak healing truths into these Ukrainians’ lives.

“The results were really exciting. We were seeing people who were hearing different aspects in which the Word of God comes to bear in the middle of these circumstances. And we hope many will turn to God in the middle of these times,” Mock explains.

(Image courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)

Mock says they are finding even in these times of such hopelessness, God shines even greater. These Ukrainian Christians are working to fulfill the Great Commission and see their country’s people fully restored and to become citizens of the one true God.

The great thing about SGA’s training in Ukraine is the people trained are able to return to their home churches and train others, creating an exponential effect and helping to reach more people with the saving grace of the Gospel. However, these churches could use something from Christians everywhere around the world, and that’s prayer.

Pray for the encouragement of these Ukrainian churches. Pray for the Ukrainian people to find Christ, be encouraged and transformed by God’s Word, and for the fighting to end. Pray for peace, and that despite the hopelessness so evident in the country, that people would once again find hope and joy through the Gospel.

To financially support SGA’s work in Ukraine, click here!

(Image courtesy Slavic Gospel Association)

Israel (SGA) — Israel says nearly 1,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza since last Tuesday.

Thousands of people have fled homes in northern Gaza after an Israeli warning. Meanwhile, Israel has amassed thousands of troops on the border.

The current wave of violence followed the killing of three Israeli teenagers in June and the suspected revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem.

Slavic Gospel Association president Bob Provost issued a call for prayer in light of the rocket attacks on Israel:

(edited)

As I write this, the nation of Israel is once again under sustained rocket attack by radical Islamic terrorists in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli people–Arab and Jewish alike, as well as the Russian-speaking Christian congregations that SGA serves–are in serious personal danger. I am asking you to join the SGA family in sustained intercessory prayer for their safety and for peace to return.

Terrorists have even aimed rocket fire at Jerusalem, Israel’s historic capital and location of holy sites important to all faiths: Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. Pray for peace!

The Gaza militants thus far have fired more than 225 rockets since the latest round of fighting intensified this past week. The cities of Ashkelon, Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Hadera, Ashdod, and even Jerusalem, have been under fire. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have responded by carrying out more than 160 airstrikes in Gaza to try and stop the rocket attacks. The death toll is some 27 people killed, with more than 130 wounded. Of the 225 rockets fired at Israel, the country’s “Iron Dome” defense system was able to intercept about 40 of them. The Israeli Navy has joined in the operation and has begun to implement a tight circle around Gaza from the sea. Reports say that Hamas commandos attempted an amphibious assault near Ashkelon, but the IDF stopped them.

I received a brief report from SGA’s director of Bible training in Israel, and he asks that we continue to pray about this grave situation.

He said, “The rockets are falling sometimes close to our apartment building, but we are safe in God’s hands. The sirens go off about 15 seconds before the rockets fall. When I was returning from a visit to Netanya, the train was not allowed to proceed to Ashkelon (the target of many rockets). Our building is shaking from the rockets landing, and my wife was nearly hit today while shopping for an elderly friend. We know that many want us to relocate to a safer place, but we want to stay here in Israel. Our children, grandchildren, and our ministry are here. Two days ago, we began a new Bible school close to the border with Lebanon. Thank you for helping us, and for your prayers.”

This situation truly grieves our hearts, yet we know that our Sovereign God has His divine, eternal purpose in what He allows. We also know that He has commanded us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). I trust you will join us in doing so.

In the United States, we have little notion these days of what it is like to hear the frightening, eerie sound of an air raid siren, and realizing that a bomb may be falling from the sky in mere seconds.. For many of us, even the childhood memory of school Cold War nuclear attack drills are a distant memory.

I have become aware of some electronic resources that can illustrate just what the Israeli people face routinely. If you are on Twitter, you can follow an account called @Alarmdarom. It sends out a tweet each time a rocket is launched at Israel and the air raid sirens sound. There is also a free app for iPhone and iPad called “Red Alert: Israel” that posts a notice when an attack is taking place. Besides the crisis-monitoring and illustrative capability, these unique resources can also remind us to pray continually for the safety of our brothers and sisters.

Thank you in advance for interceding in prayer.

For updates and more, click here.

But in Burma, says Patrick Klein with Vision Beyond Borders, it carries far more weight. Name is identity. "As they go more toward a democracy, I think they will go back to the name of ‘Burma' because that's what the people really like, and that's what they've been known as for hundreds of years. They don't like the name ‘Myanmar.'"

Klein says the new name represents one thing to the Burmese people VBB assists. "It's just symbolic of the oppression of the government." Klein explains that in 1989, "The military government changed the name to ‘Myanmar' after the election when Aung San Suu Kyi was voted in unanimously." However, for those who did not recognize the legitimacy of the ruling military government, it brought into question the authority to rename the country.

However, with the government changes and openness of the last year, international scrutiny brought some good news, says Klein. For example: an official visit from U.S. President Barak Obama. "President Obama in some cases calls it ‘Burma,' but when he met with the president of Myanmar, he called it ‘Myanmar.' So it's going to be kind of interesting to see how that plays out." Obama's use of that single word was warmly welcomed by top government officials who assigned significance to the protocol.

For its part, government officials appreciated the official "acknowledgement of Myanmar's government." It was a courtesy and an acknowledgement of the work done toward easing repression as the country continues its evolution to democracy.

Klein agrees. "As they go more toward a democracy, I think they will go back to the name ‘Burma' because that's what the people really like, and that's what they've been known as for hundreds of years. They don't like the name ‘Myanmar.'"

Klein notes that "we have to keep praying that it will open up more and more around the country, that they'll feel the effects of it. I think we will. I think now that a high leader like the president of the United States acknowledged the ethnic problems and said, ‘You need to work on this,' I think that's really good. And to promote democracy, it will really help."

The advent of a visit from a Head of State heralds a new face to Burma, says Klein. "We are told that if they said they were from Burma (inside Burma), they would go to prison for five years if they were caught by the military. They had to change the name to ‘Myanmar,' and I think for them, it just reminds them of when they had a lot more freedom and a lot more openness."

In fact, in his visit last week to VBB ministry partners, Klein says the main difference he saw in the country was hope. Since the election, there have been numerous stories about the changes taking place and questions about whether or not the change was permanent, or just for show. Klein says things are different enough now, that there's talk of closing the refugee camps in Thailand.

A repatriation of the ethnic groups who fled cleansing is part of serious discussion. What's more, says Klein, this has become an opportunity for believers to be peacemakers. "They've actually asked the Christians to come in and negotiate between the Muslims and the Buddhists, because they believe the Christians are a lot more neutral. So that's encouraging. I think that'll help open the doors and relieve some of the oppression for the people in Burma."

Christians have been marginalized for their faith as well as their ethnicity (because they often include the Karen and Chin). They wear the name of Christ openly, and says Klein, often take the opportunity to share the Gospel. To them, their identity is still wrapped up in a name, but this one gives them purpose.

Vision Beyond Borders provides them with the necessary tools and training for the local people to fulfill Christ's "Great Commission." This is done by supplying them with native language Bibles, training materials, seeds, clothing, medical supplies, prayer teams, and evangelism to children.

What their teams need now is prayer and wisdom. Klein clarifies: "This country has been under oppression for 50 or 60 years, and all of a sudden they're open. They don't really have much discernment because they've not been involved in the way the world works." As much as the name brings identity, it also brings its own conditioning to a brave new world, indeed.

If you want to come alongside Vision Beyond Borders, check our Featured Links Section.

The anticipated influx of people will
likely put the social security nets under a huge strain. The rapid urbanization not only puts pressure
on the government to respond to needs, but also the Church.  

China Partner President Erik Burklin
describes the shift: "It's actually more like almost 50/50, which I never
knew before.  I always thought that it
was 70%  in the country and
30% living in the cities, but now it's closer to 50/50."

Over the last few years, China Partner has been holding
extensive training sessions because the growth of the Gospel is outpacing
resources, says Burklin. "With the increase of individuals coming to the big cities,
there's obviously a tremendous need of ministry for these individuals."

There's an estimated 3700 ordained and assistant pastors
ministering to roughly 40 million believers–that's one pastor for every 10,000
Christians.     

No one
single ministry is equipped to handle the shift alone, which is the beauty of
what's happening, explains Burklin. "It
can be a challenge, but at the same time it can be a way of God orchestrating ministry
to come to the bigger cities with these Christians coming into the cities as
well."

China Partner conducted its first Training Seminar in 1991 at the
seminary in Nanjing, China. The second seminar followed a year later in Guangzhou,
and over 50 more have been held since. Those involved with China
Partner have trained nearly 5,000 current and future Chinese Christian leaders with
needed ministry insights and methods.

That pattern continues today. Their most recent trip saw 60 lay pastors in
the local church of Jingzhou City and 70 lay pastors from the Chibi church and
surrounding areas participating. "In
our training, we try to equip these lay pastors to manage those who come to
their churches: how to disciple them, how to grow them up in their faith. But
then we also encourage them at the same time to be preaching evangelistically in
their churches,"explains Burklin.

Burklin notes their partnership with
Joyce Lok, a staff member at ECC church in Hong Kong, in the training of lay
pastors in Chibi on principles of pastoral care. "Our desire has been to shift more of
our focus of ministry 'By the Chinese, For the Chinese,'" notes Burklin, adding
that it succeeded, due in part to the close relationship with the church leadership
there.  

China Partner also distributed 130
Pastor Packs–or 1,690 theological study books–at the training sessions in
order to make Christ known among those who have not yet heard the Gospel. While the doors are open now, Burklin acknowledges
that won't always be the case. "Our
whole long-term goal and long-term vision has been that we equip enough so that
eventually, we can almost work ourselves out of a job, so that the Chinese are
taking care of their own Chinese people, in their own language, understanding
their own culture."

Find more information here.

In a videotaped message marking
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Obama said, "The promise of opportunity for
our children; security for our families; progress for our communities; and
peace between nations. Those are shared hopes. Those are common dreams."

It's a conciliatory note, and
observers hope it will bring more opportunities for dialogue. 

David Harder notes that there also
seems to be a window of opportunity for SAT-7 PARS. "At this time when
many Persians are celebrating the beginning of a new year, it's a time when
people can think about new beginnings. We know that they are looking, and
churches in Iran are there to provide hope for people who come. Through
our broadcasts, we're able to reach millions of people with the good news of
Jesus." 

Millions of young people–who
make up the largest demographic group in the country of 70 million people–are
disillusioned with life around them. Many
are turning to drugs and even suicide, but others are searching for the hope
that can be found in Christ.

However, as fast as the church is
growing, life as a believer can be hard in Iran. The
open witness of the Good News is banned, and government spies monitor Christian
groups. Believers are discriminated against in areas of education, employment, and
property ownership and also face arrests, imprisonment, and sometimes even
death.

Harder says, "We need to be praying for the church in
Iran that they will have freedom to worship, that the church leaders will be
protected, and for our programs. People
can be praying that our producers will make the kind of programs that answer questions
that people have and really provide the tools to help Christians living there
be able to walk the way Jesus wants them to walk and live."

However, both men say they openly
professed their faith during the trial. Azad
tells Compass Direct he answered honestly when the courts asked him what he was
doing. "I said, ‘I am a pastor pastoring
a house church in Iran. All my [court] papers are about Christianity — about my activity, about our church and
everything."

In spite of his testimony, Azad and Basirat
were released at the end of September. Todd Nettleton with Voice
of the Martyrs thinks there's more to the story. "This case shows a situation where
international pressure is being brought to bear, and it is making a difference.
They did not want an international outcry; they did not want a 'black eye' on
their human rights record, and so I suspect that this judge was told, 'Make
this case go away,' and he did." 

Meanwhile, the Parliament is
discussing the death penalty for apostasy. 
That could be a direct response to effective ministry, says
Nettleton.  "The church is growing
at simply an amazing rate. That is a part of the reason the government is so
nervous about the Christians. That is part of the reason they're striking back
and changing laws. That also means more people potentially face persecution;
more people need our prayers."

These two believers may have been
exonerated, but they fear they will be re-arrested once they resume their ministry. There are also concerns that other Christians
in their church will face government harassment or outright persecution.

Keep
praying wisdom for church leaders as they continue to share the hope of Christ. Pray too for strength for those who come to
Christ, despite the threats and dangers.

Al Janssen with
Open Doors says,
"The European Union has issued a declaration urging Iran to drop the
apostasy bill and also to release Christian converts from prison. So, I'm
hoping that other nations will get involved on that and that there will be a
lot of pressure put on Iran." 

According to the declaration, the
European Union reportedly "is very concerned at the deterioration in the exercise
of freedom of religion or belief, and especially the freedom of worship in
Iran where the pressure on people belonging to religious minorities has
worsened in recent months. "

It goes on to say, in part, that
"if adopted, that law would be a serious infringement of the freedom of
religion or belief, which includes the right to change religion and the right
to have no religion. It would violate Article 18 of the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, which was freely ratified by Iran, and would
threaten the lives of a number of Iranians who have been arrested and held
without trial for several months on account of their religious beliefs."

Is the declaration
effective? Iran's response to the
protest of their nuclear threat is telling. But Janssen says it makes a statement to believers, as does a special
training course Open Doors is providing.

Because
the official church is under strict control, personal growth is heavily
retarded. Open Doors believes the best
way for these Christians to meet for growth, worship and fellowship in safety
is to join in independent cell groups.

"We have been developing,
for some time, a discipleship course for Muslim-background believers. They have
not grown up in a Christian context; they really are starting from scratch when
it comes to discipleship. Those have
huge impact on their lives. How do they
practice their faith while still remain in an Islamic context?" 

Click
here if you want more details, or if you can help .  

According to policy watchdogs, the draft law is clearly aimed at deterring conversion from Islam. In the proposed legislation is a redefining of an apostate as "any Muslim who clearly announces that he/she has left Islam and declares blasphemy."

The proposal breaches Article 18 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Although Iran has agreed to the principle that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief," this latest bill seems to affirm a different direction in the Islamic Republic.

It also alarms the pundits. One published analysis indicates the law gives the regime global jurisdiction, holding groups accountable around the globe for differing from the regime on religious issues.

That would seem to target Christians. They make up less than one-half of one percent of the population. Open witness to Muslims is banned. Believers are also discriminated against in education, employment, and property ownership, and several pastors have been murdered.

Although missions are not allowed to enter Iran, many are coming to Christ. Pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for Iranian Christians as they continue to spread the Gospel despite sustained pressure from the Islamic government of the nation.