Pastors and leaders gathered for a three-day training.

Though these pastors have no biblical training, they are eager to answer the call of the Lord and learn more about serving their congregations.

Greg Yoder with Christian World Outreach says the trainings go back to the Bible, asking, “‘What does the Bible really say?’ and teaching them how to read the Bible and how to present it to the people that they are ministering to.”

Training changes depending on the needs of the groups of leaders that the trainers are working with, as pastors deal with different issues in different areas and churches.

“God has called these people into a ministry and called them as they become Christians. He puts that desire into their hearts to share the gospel to become a pastor, a lay leader, or whatever it might be,” Yoder says.

“They don’t have a lot of resources to be able to get that training that we have available here, but they seek it,” Yoder says. “Anytime they hear about any kind of training, they’re willing to do whatever they can to get that training.”

As Zimbabwean pastors’ needs are met, they are excited and beg for training programs to come back.

“We try to go back to the same areas, (but) sometimes it’s not always available,” Yoder says. “Our time doesn’t always warrant that, but our goal is to keep discipling and keep in touch with those pastors anyway we can. One thing that we do is give them Bibles so they do have a Bible in their language, Shona.”

Please pray for workers to join CWO in the harvest and for continued opportunities for discipleship with these pastors.

Pray also that God will supply the needed resources and give safe travels so that people are able to lead these trainings. Pray that congregations will be blessed by the ministry.

To learn more about Christian World Outreach’s work in Zimbabwe and donate to their leadership trainings, click here.

Header Photo Provided by Christian World Outreach

Mediators from Qatar, Turkiye, and Egypt are helping steer the talks by offering Iran and the United States a shared set of discussion guidelines.

Middle East expert Mike Ansari (formerly with Heart4Iran) says it seems Washington is trying to avoid further hostilities, even as warnings remain stark on both sides.

“President Trump has basically been very vocal, saying that if it comes to having conflict, we are not going to back off and we are going to go in heavy. Iran says any kind of action from the United States against Iran would trigger a regional conflict. So at this moment, it appears that President Trump is giving diplomacy a chance to avoid any kind of conflict.”

(Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran)

But inside Iran, Ansari says diplomacy abroad hasn’t eased pressure at home.

Ongoing Repression

Protests erupted across Iran over the last several weeks, sparked largely by economic collapse. Retirees have lost pensions. Families have lost savings. Many Iranians believe national wealth is being diverted to fund proxy wars instead of meeting basic needs.

Ansari explains, “The atmosphere in Iran and the condition of living for average Iranians is so dismal that [the government] knew that there would be an organic uprising of people.”

Iranian officials responded with overwhelming force. Internet access was cut, and security forces moved quickly to suppress demonstrations. Ansari says reports from inside Iran describe widespread violence, mass arrests, and the targeting of wounded protesters.

Minority communities, including Christians, are once again feeling the pressure.

“Historically, whenever such uprisings take place in Iran, the minorities that include Bahais and the Jewish community and the Christian converts from Islam are subject to house raids and arrests,” says Ansari.

“Some of the leaders of the house churches that have had their houses raided have been arrested under the guise of being agents of Mossad and bringing discord into the Iranian government. Many of the people who have been arrested, we haven’t heard anything from them.”

Hope in the Spirit

(Screenshot of Prayercast’s Iran video)

Yet even in the darkness, the Holy Spirit is moving inside Iran.

Ansari says, “Many people are still reporting that they’re having dreams and visions. It’s amazing to know that God is way ahead of all of us…. We’ve seen acts of mercy by a lot of Iranian Christian converts, providing shelter to the people that are being wounded, helping them out, or just being kind to them. This is how the Gospel is spreading in Iran.”

Iran’s underground Church — long considered one of the fastest-growing in the world — is now facing what Ansari calls an “existential fight.”

“These are very difficult days for Iran, and these are the days that we’re asking the Church globally to lift Iran and Iranians in their prayers and also lift the underground Church, which is practically fighting for its existence, in your prayers.”

Header photo: Mutrah, Muscat, Oman (Photo courtesy of Muhammad Shoaib/Unsplash)

“I see those challenges as opportunities for us to work on those challenges. So whether it’s a capacity-building challenge, whether it’s [an] evangelistic approach challenge, those are opportunities for us to go meet those needs,” he says.

The MENA Leadership Center is taking steps toward connecting with church leaders in Pakistan. It is starting in-person training programs that will teach believers how to better reach the lost with delivery tactics and by using their understanding of cultural needs. Through these partnerships, local leaders of Pakistani churches will be empowered with mentorship and training to encourage their members to spread the gospel.

The ministry has connected with one Pakistani leader who is currently the head of 120 different churches. He is eager to learn how he can best help them share their faith despite persecution. Sharaiha invites us to share in his vision for the future of this partnership:

“Can you imagine if we have those 120 churches on fire for Christ?”

The MENA Leadership Center hopes to see many leaders equipped and the Church of Pakistan awakened and mobilized to powerfully share the good news. Sharaiha reminds us that the mark of Christianity across the globe started with only 12 disciples, so any small step will make a difference.

Please join with the MENA Leadership Center in praying for wisdom and discernment for the team, fruitful partnerships, effective mentorships, an increase in financial resources, and protection against the spiritual attacks of the enemy. 

If you want to learn more about the MENA Leadership Center and how you can partner with them, click here.

Header photo is a representative stock photo courtesy of Adnan Mughal Photographer via Pexels.

As Ukraine reels from recent deadly attacks in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Kyiv, Kharkiv and other places, political tensions continue to escalate. Despite ongoing peace talks — from Oval Office meetings to negotiations in Vatican — true peace remains elusive. While world leaders debate the best path forward, Russia uses the delays to intensify its attacks along the frontlines. Meanwhile, ordinary Ukrainians continue working, studying, and caring for their families, all while bearing the heavy burden of war-weariness.

Eric Mock of Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) shares: “The ceasefire has to happen! The securities need to be there. And it warps the imagination that even in these days, we are seeing senseless destruction.”

In the midst of such devastation, the need for lasting hope becomes even more urgent.

“It’s because the people that are suffering, the people that are dealing with loss, are looking for answers, and the only hope we have, both in good times and in bad — the only hope that we have is the gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Mock.

People help each other (Photo courtesy of Youssef Naddam via Unsplash)

Ukrainian churches are rising to meet this challenge. With support from SGA, they’re distributing food, medicine, generators, and other vital supplies. Mock draws a vivid comparison: “So in the middle of the darkest times, even a flicker of a candle casts off great light, and the gospel is being held forth by these churches.”

These efforts are being strengthened by international church partnerships. Through this coordinated aid, as many as 1.8 million people — many of whom had never heard the Gospel before — have now encountered it. Some are gathering in small groups that have begun to form into churches.

“These are faithful small churches with small congregations that originally were aid centers who have now found a common bond, a common love for Christ and for one another, and they’re forming as churches,” Mock explains.

This growing movement has created a new and urgent need: leadership. SGA has committed to raising up a new generation of pastors and ministry leaders. The current goal is to train 1,000 leaders over the next eleven years — a vital task as many pastors are now serving in the military or have lost their lives defending the country.

“As much as we talk about humanitarian aid, we desperately need to see new leaders who are leading these churches, and that becomes a critical thing, that God would raise them up,” says Mock.

Please pray that the Ukrainian church continues to be strategic in both its humanitarian efforts and gospel outreach. Stand with the people of Ukraine. Visit SGA website and get involved in the ministry God lays on your heart. And above all, pray for a swift and just end to this war.

Header image courtesy of Margarita Marushevska via Unsplash.

The Church has also grown since the introduction of democracy and the Gospel over thirty years ago. Yet, new approaches are needed, says Chinzo, the A3 Mongolia national director.

Over 90 percent of Mongolians are still considered unreached even with the evangelical Church growing at a rate three times the world average. Ministry practices that were introduced by missionaries have helped the Mongolian Church to grow quickly but may not be enough for the future.

“The ministry we’re doing is outdated, so we need to renew,” says Chinzo. “I mean, when I say renew, it’s not really brand-new stuff, but going back to Biblical roots. And really, exploring or redefining gospel and redefining church and ministry, again.”

While a small minority, Mongolian Christians have come together in meaningful partnerships to make disciples and multiply churches. A3 provides training to help with church growth and leadership development.

“We have great sense of unity among denominations, groups, networks and churches,” says Chinzo. “Probably one of the most well-known partnerships is the Mongolian Evangelical Alliance, where evangelical churches came under one umbrella of alliance. And we tried to give a united response to the needs of the society in terms of sharing the gospel, and making disciples, and multiplying churches.”

A3 invites internationally known teachers and pastors to share what they have learned with Mongolia’s Christian leaders. They have also discussed how to prioritize making disciples over maintaining church rhythms and programs.

Chinzo says, “We’re investing into Mongolian Church through those strategic teaching and developing learning communities and contributing to overall unity among pastors.”

Pray for A3’s Mongolian cohorts to grow in faithfulness and effectiveness to reach their nation. Ask God to also raise up a new generation of disciples into leadership.

Chinzo says, “We want to see more Christ-like leaders emerging in the Church.”

Header photo of people in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (Belgutei via Unsplash).

Toward those ends, the CCP’s prime target today are children. Children and families of Muslim and Christian faith are feeling the pressure. 

Erik Burklin with China Partner recently gathered with around 40 pastors from mainland China and 40 leaders mostly from the U.S.

China Partner equips local Chinese church leaders.

“One of the big concerns that they shared with us is the government is now enforcing this law of not being allowed to share the gospel with minors. Anybody under the age of 18, for instance, is not allowed to go to church. They’re enforcing that now, more,” Burklin says. 

The ban has been in place for years. In some areas of China, Burklin says children are not allowed to even enter a church building. In other areas, the rules are less strict. 

“[In less restricted areas] they don’t have necessarily ‘Sunday school’ [as] we (in the West) would think of it, but they just host these children and have a safe place for them to be while their parents are worshiping in the church service,” Burklin says. 

The increasing challenge has led to a practical approach among the church leaders. One leader put it this way: “We’re rethinking how we do ministry to parents.”

“They’re actually having a very concentrated effort to equip parents to reach their own children for Jesus Christ, very similar to what the Jewish people were doing in the Old Testament,” Burklin explains.

Family discipleship is something every Christian family should be doing. In China, they are looking for increased resources. One leader told Burklin earlier this year, “Could you please help us get better materials so that we can teach our children?”  

Pray for China’s church

Pray for wisdom, strength, faithfulness and endurance for the Chinese church under pressure. Pray for parents and children to be equipped to share and receive the gospel of Christ. 

“They were asking for us to pray for them for wisdom on how they should operate in the future, how they should continue to stay within the law and yet stay true to Scripture, which is always kind of a tension that Chinese Christians have in China,” Burklin says.

Learn more about the mission and strategy of China Partner here. But don’t miss this word of encouragement. 

“In spite of all the government restrictions that are being imposed on religious activities, we sense from the leadership there not a sense of fear or depression — just the opposite. A lot of optimism, excitement,” Burklin says. 

“Within their system that is very restrictive, God is still moving. God is in control and using these men and women for His glory [to be] a witness and salt and light in their society.”

Header photo courtesy of China Partner. 

The Gospel’s Impact on Social Expectations

(Image courtesy of Sara Madden from Pixabay)

Mary Jo Wilson with A3 says that traditionally, many of the leaders they’ve trained have been older men who are more established in their roles. This dynamic can neglect women and young men ready to lead in the future.

Wilson says, “A lot of people, if you talk about men and women – especially in the church or in latent Christian leadership – people go right to the theological point. Oh, we’re talking complementarian, egalitarian, but the truth is a much bigger factor are the social constraints. Where there are these expectations put on that really hold women back in a lot of ways? And so we do see that. I guess the big question is, how does the Gospel impact that? How does the Church show a different way, and show the image of God in women, to show the missio dei expressed by women’s involvement? Just asking the question, how we can remove barriers so women can say yes to God?”

Seeing the Value of Christian Women

In many cultures, male leadership turns into male domination. This leads to women being undervalued and even treated as second-class citizens. Unfortunately, this mindset can carry over into the Church. Especially where Christians are in an extreme minority, women’s lack of rights in a country tends to flow into how the Church views women.

One Christian woman living where there are very few Christians said when she started A3 training, it made one of the other pastors there very uncomfortable.

(Image courtesy of A3)

“That was maybe a little awkward start,” Wilson says. “But she said that at the end, he said, ‘I’m so glad I learned alongside you. I see the woman differently now.’ And I’m thinking, wow, with most churches, some have told me, 70% of their church are women. For the pastor to see women differently, just by learning alongside a woman leader is just a tremendous impact that I know will carry on.”

Join A3 in Training All Leaders

Depending on the needs of an area A3 might provide training aimed at Christian church leaders, general Christian leaders, or even NGO leaders. This more general training seems to allow women to feel more confident expressing their gifts and become equipped to do God’s work.

Wilson says, “People can be praying just that God would help us to find a way to really step into men and women partnering together deeply for His mission. Especially in countries where women experience tremendous oppression, just to see the beauty of the Gospel in these countries and the message that each woman, as each man, is precious to God and an image bearer carrying His image into the world.”

Please pray that God would continue to open doors for A3 as they train leaders for the ministry of the Gospel. If you want to get involved with A3, click here.

Image courtesy of Pexels from Pixabay

Men can now be drafted into military service at 25, but they won’t be sent into combat until their 27th birthday. As explained here, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill into law lowering the draft age to 25 and leaving the mobilization age at 27.

However, the Ukrainian Parliament is also considering a bill that would lower the mobilization age to 25.

“The grinding years of this war have taken many young lives; over a half million soldiers killed or seriously injured,” Eric Mock with Slavic Gospel Association says.

“They (Ukrainians) can’t [protect] their country without gathering more people.”

The decision is costly, in more ways than one. First, “By lowering the age from 27 to 25, you’re now cutting into the young workforce,” Mock explains.

“By fighting the good fight to defend their country, they (Ukrainian leaders) may also be causing serious injury to their economy. They’re bringing forward young men and women who might otherwise be the future leaders and producers” of goods and services, he adds.

A Russian drone hit SGA-supported Pastor Vlad’s van while he was evacuating the elderly in an embattled city in Ukraine. Praise God for His protection and ask Him to guide the hands of the surgeon who will operate on Vlad’s leg, which was badly injured.
(Photo, caption courtesy of SGA)

Due to the ongoing war, churches in Ukraine also face a shortage of men to shepherd their flocks. Approximately one-third of pastors and church leaders either left the country or currently serve as military chaplains.

SGA is helping partner churches train 1,000 missionary pastors to fill the gaps, but “if you start seeing an increase of men fighting on the front line, that dream of 1,000 men to care for these churches is nothing more than imagination,” Mock says.

Now that you know, how will you respond? First, “We need to pray to the Lord to raise workers for the harvest,” Mock says.

“Secondly, we need to ask ourselves, how do we help those workers in the harvest? That’s where SGA is involved.”

Help Gospel workers share the hope of Christ in war-torn Ukraine.

Header and story images courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association.

The war is taking a heavy toll on ministry in Ukraine. According to the Russian Baptist Union, “15 percent of the pastors have left the country with their families, and another 15 percent are working either as chaplains or have been enlisted to fight on the front lines,” Slavic Gospel Association’s Eric Mock says.

“As much as 30 percent of the pastors, church leaders, [and] ministry leaders are fighting or were displaced.”

Mock is flying into Ukraine this week to speak at a national conference. He will be speaking to war-weary congregations about the indivisible Church.

“There’s an effort to raise 1,000 missionary pastors, something they believe will take seven to 10 years to accomplish. It’s a gargantuan task; we’ve begun training in multiple regions,” Mock says.

“They recognize they can’t do it alone. It takes God’s Church from shore to shore and from every group on the planet to work together side by side for the sake of the Gospel.”

Help Ukrainian churches and sign up for regular updates through SGA here. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out more workers.

“Ukraine was and continues to be the Bible Belt, with more churches per capita than almost any nation on that continent. They have been raised up for such a time as this,” Mock says.

“Please pray that God raises additional leaders ready to shepherd and guide the flock.”

Header and story images courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association.

The congress also amended the party charter, recognizing Xi as the “core” of the party and his ideas as essential to the Party’s continued rule.

The congress meets twice each decade.

Religious freedom

As Xi’s power grows, Christians are concerned about the state of religious liberty in China. Kurt Rovenstine, with Bibles for China, says, “He’s not been a friend to the religious community. I mean, he has been pretty vocal about that. I don’t think that’s anything that he would deny. But he’s very much about protecting China and its interests. And the religious community at times, in his opinion, pushes back against that.”

Rovenstine says evangelism and the distribution of Bibles may get more difficult in the days ahead. “We’re pushing hard to get every dollar that we can get into that particular part of our ministry, getting funds directly into China to fund Bibles to the rural churches. That even funds study Bibles and those kinds of things for the leaders.”

“There is a possibility those doors could close on us.”

Older Chinese Christians have lived and ministered under a more authoritarian government. Pray their wisdom will lead the Church forward. Rovenstine says, “I think the church outside of China can take some comfort in knowing there’s a precedent that has been set. The Chinese church was, although fractured and scattered, no less effective. In some ways, it was maybe more effective.”

Want to participate in Bibles for China’s work? Visit their website.

The header photo shows Xi Jinping in 2015. (Photo courtesy of VOA News, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)