We know that he has gone to be with his Heavenly Father and no longer suffers from the limitations of this mortal coil. It’s just that sometimes, we miss him. It’s at those times when something happens that reminds us of the hope that we have in Christ our Savior, of our purpose here as followers of Christ, as co-laborers in the Kingdom of Heaven.

These reminders serve as encouragement to fight the good fight, keeping our eyes on the prize. I was thinking of my dad today and decided to read some of the devotionals he used to write for the ministry to which he dedicated his remaining years, Transport for Christ. When his health could no longer allow him to serve onsite as a chaplain, he wrote encouragement to the truck drivers and the chaplains in service.

I can hear his voice in these words. There’s great comfort in his reminder. I share his words with you so that you may also take comfort in a greater plan, and in the hope that comes from trusting God is in control:

“Most of the time, when we grieve, we grieve over something that’s happened in our lives. But there are also times when we grieve over something that hasn’t happened or “what might have been.”

Unrealized expectations and dashed hopes can paralyze us with sadness. We mourn for what we could have had, could have done or could have experienced. We live in a fog as we struggle with our unmet goals and dreams.

Are you wrestling with accepting something in your life? Mourning a shattered dream? Instead of focusing on what might have been, try focusing on what is and what could still be. Revising your dreams isn’t bad. It’s realistic. And the sooner you do, the sooner the weight of grief will let go. The fog will lift. Hope will return.”

But across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, summer camps can also mean something much bigger – a first encounter with the Gospel.

As Slavic Gospel Association’s Summer Bible Camps launch across 13 countries, thousands of children will spend time with local churches in day-camp style programs designed to share the hope of Christ.

(Photo courtesy of Valentin Lupashko/Slavic Gospel Association)

Eric Mock with SGA explains, “These camps are singular opportunities. Kids that have either grown up in impoverished homes, embattled homes, [or] troubled homes – who really never get an opportunity to know a day of peace – have an opportunity to go to these camps.”

The camps may look different from country to country, but the mission remains the same.

“You can imagine a camp in Tajikistan on the border of Afghanistan is going to look very different than a camp in the war zone, very different than a camp in Poland, or very different from a camp in Russia, especially far east Russia,” says Mock.

“What SGA does is not really put shackles on any way that they conduct the camp other than the centrality of the Gospel. So each adapts to their cultural setting, their economic conditions, the relationships they’ve developed with the community, [and] the languages that are relevant.”

Mock says the ministry often reaches beyond the children who attend. “Suspicious parents – wondering what these churches are actually talking about – come along, and every year, parents are coming to faith as they hear the life-saving and life-changing message of the Gospel.”

Kids at SGA’s summer camp. (Photo courtesy of SGA)

That local church connection doesn’t end when camp is over.

“It is run by the local church, and this is vital as we continue to see these children and their families impacted by the Gospel [through] relationships built for discipleship and investment [by] these churches.”

You can support this outreach with eternal impact! Click here to give to SGA, and designate your gift to their Camp Ministry fund.

Also, Mock asks believers, “Pray that, first of all, SGA is able to help the churches reach more than 88,000 children this year. That’s a huge number across 13 countries!

“Secondly, pray that in these camps, children and the parents…come to faith. Pray that these camps continue to be powerful tools in God’s hands. And then of course pray for our continued ministry as we serve the churches in these countries.”

Header photo courtesy of SGA.

For many Lebanese families, the result is confusion, uncertainty, and more displacement.

Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon explains, “Hezbollah is just saying, ‘We’re not stopping, we’re not stopping,’ and Israel is saying, ‘Okay, you don’t want to stop? Then we’re going to bomb, and we’re going to even target places that have not been targeted before.’ So they’re adding troops into Lebanon, the invasion is going deeper into Lebanon, and more lands, and more people.”

(Photo courtesy of TM Lebanon)

Meanwhile, humanitarian needs continue to grow. “We had maybe 200,000-300,000 people who [were] newly displaced just yesterday,” Nuna says.

“More people are being displaced, more people are homeless, more people are on the streets, more people don’t know where to go, and it’s very difficult to even understand when will this end?”

TM Lebanon is assisting displaced families. However, “At the end of the day, we are very limited,” Nuna says.

“Somebody called me with 55 families arriving yesterday…. This [is] a Christian village that had to move. They stayed as much as they could in the south to protect their village, to protect their homes. But at the end of the day, they had to move out.”

Even so, she says one of the ministry’s greatest tools is spiritual encouragement.

“Our main help is encouragement [and] prayer. We pray a lot for those people and that God will find a solution, that God will hasten the time.”

(Photo courtesy of TM Lebanon)

As conflict drags on, Nuna asks believers around the world to pray for more than a political solution.

“Pray that the Lord quickens the time, and that things will calm down quickly, and that He will prevail over all rulers and authorities and powers and governments and everything else.”

Please pray for displaced families across Lebanon, for Christ’s peace in the region, and for opportunities for Christians to demonstrate the hope of Jesus amid uncertainty. You can also support ministries serving vulnerable communities through TM Lebanon at tm-lebanon.com.

Header photo courtesy of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon.

At the same time, Edwin Abnous with Heart4Iran says reports about Iran’s political leadership are conflicting.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (Photo courtesy of Khamenei.ir, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150832367)

“Iran International reported that Iranian President Pezeshkian has sent his resignation to Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, but there is no way to verify this.

“It seems like there is an anonymous source sharing this information with Iran International, and we do not know who this source is. After that, a few Western media outlets also picked it up and repeated it, but as of now, no one has been able to independently verify it.”

Yet, there is one encouraging development.

“It seems like the internet is back on again,” says Abnous. “However, there is also severe restrictions for Iranian users. They need to use VPN to get into the outside world, but WhatsApp and Telegram and social media platform connections and messaging systems are picking up again, and we’re receiving some contacts, and that is good news.”

Restored internet communication, even to some extent, means more than exchanging messages. It means believers can better share Gospel hope with Iranians.

(Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran)

Abnous explains, “It is very important for the ministry like Heart4Iran to be able to have this two-way communication and connection with the people inside the country, because that is where discipleship is happening.”

For believers watching events unfold, Abnous encourages keeping sight of the people behind the headlines. While governments negotiate, exchange threats, and trade accusations, millions of Iranians continue searching for hope, truth, and lasting peace.

Pray for stability in the region, protection for civilians caught in conflict, and open doors for Gospel ministry. Ask God to strengthen Iranian believers and draw many people to Himself through the ongoing outreach and discipleship efforts taking place despite restrictions.

Learn more about Heart4Iran and its ministry to people in Iran at heart4iran.com.

Header photo: Tehran, Iran (Photo courtesy of Mohammad Amirahmadi/Unsplash)

North Korea (MNN) — North Korean believers face severe restrictions that prevent them from openly sharing or practicing their faith. Yet when the Gospel is not tied to buildings, programs, or public institutions, it often becomes the central focus of people’s lives.

Korean Commons Translations Bible Anglican Edition 1999 (photo courtesy of Alvis Jean via Wikimedia Commons)

While the world faced hardship and isolation during COVID, many North Korean Christians experienced a season of growth. Eric Foley with Voice of the Martyrs Korea says officers avoided entering homes because “they worried they might get infected with COVID and spread it to the rest of the neighborhood, and then they would be held responsible.”

Christians used that opportunity to spread the Gospel more freely. Foley says, “They were home in the daytime. It meant it was possible for them to listen to illegal Christian radio broadcasts.”

Through radio, people heard the Gospel day and night. Demand for Bibles also grew. Foley says, “In North Korea, COVID is remembered as a time of great, great church growth.”

When restrictions ended, the state tightened control again. Still, Foley says:

“Holding on tightly to the message of the Gospel, which is what saves and brings eternal life, is what allowed the North Korean church to grow.”

If believers depended mainly on church buildings or worship styles, the state could weaken their faith through persecution. Foley says, “They teach us to hold on to the form of church loosely while holding on to the Gospel tightly.”

Pray the Gospel continues to sustain North Korean believers. Pray also that churches worldwide would put the Gospel above forms and traditions so they can remain strong under pressure.

Pray Voice of the Martyrs Korea can continue supporting local believers through radio broadcasts, Bible distribution, and other outreach efforts based in South Korea.

Header photo: Man reading the Bible (representative photo courtesy of RDNE Stock project via Pexels)

In Myanmar, “There’s a whole generation of people that have just lived in war and instability,” Greg Kelley of Unknown Nations says.

“They’re ready for something new, and the Gospel is making great inroads right now.”

For decades, ministries took a “from the West to the rest” approach to missions. In other words, missionaries from the U.S. and Europe would raise funds to serve the Lord in a distant land.

Today, indigenous outreach has shifted to the forefront of missions. Instead of a Western-driven approach, missionaries are now going “from everywhere, to everywhere.”

(Photo of child in Tambon Mae La, Kayin State, Myanmar courtesy of Z via Unsplash)

Unknown Nations partners with local believers to reach communities that have never heard the name of Jesus. “[In] places like Myanmar, there’s no other option,” Kelley says.

“For us to send missionaries from America, Europe, or even other countries in Asia is almost impossible right now. We have to invest in the local, indigenous Body of Christ and help it be able to deploy in more effective and strategic ways.”

Local believers reach frontier communities

Together, believers seek “frontier” communities, or places where the Gospel has never been heard before. By meeting urgent physical needs and introducing the hope of Christ, believers create sustainable pathways for long-term church planting and discipleship among the unreached.

In Myanmar, Unknown Nations seeks to strengthen and multiply local church leadership. Here’s how you can help.

“There’s always going to be an element of underground churches and people gathering together to serve Jesus. But if leaders are not being raised up and developed, then all of that becomes very fragile,” Kelley says.

“The strength of the Church in Myanmar is going to be their ability to create healthy disciples, because they’re living in such a challenging, hostile environment.”

Myanmar is primarily a Buddhist nation, but some ethnic groups – primarily the Chin and Karen – identify as Christians. Pray that many people in Myanmar will find the hope and peace only Jesus can offer.

“Only about five percent of the country would be evangelical followers of Jesus. Most have never heard the Gospel message,” Kelley says.

Header image depicts an agricultural scene in Bagan, Myanmar. Photo courtesy CILER YILDIZ via Pexels.

GO Day: May 23, 2026

John Pudaite with Bibles for the World explains. “GO Day is an initiative of the Global Outreach Movement, or GO Movement, which is an evangelistic movement that now has chapters or country leaders in over 100 countries of the world. Their entire focus of this movement is to inspire and motivate people to share the Gospel one-on-one with people that they come across – with people that they know: family, friends, or out in the public areas.”

(Representative image courtesy of Mizuno Kozuki via Pexels.)

The goal this year is to mobilize at least ten million Christians to share the Gospel with at least one person each. This goal sounds amazing and yet when it comes to real people, it can be difficult for people to boldly share the truth about Jesus.

Pudaite says, “Fear of rejection, of course, here in the US and developed countries is there. I mean, I think that’s everywhere. Also, in some countries you have more restrictive governments, laws, things in place. But we’re commissioned to share the good news of Jesus Christ. So that’s all part of this movement is helping people get the confidence to overcome any inhibitions, any restrictions that they may face.”

Sharing the Word of God

Bibles for the World is partnering with GO Day to provide Gospels of John in 51 different languages to be distributed in 24 countries. Distributions will take place across Africa, Europe, Asia, Indonesia, and countries like India and Pakistan. Also in the US there will be Gospels available through their office.

(Representative image courtesy of Bibles for the World)

“We are printing 1,363,300 Scriptures, Gospels of John, for this initiative. It might be a record in terms of how many Scriptures will be distributed on that very one day, in a single event. So we would just ask that listeners would pray for these Scriptures as they go out. Pray for the people who are carrying them, that they will have the boldness to share the Gospel [and] that they will be able to communicate the simple truth of salvation through Jesus Christ.”

Bibles for the World shares God’s Word in many places. To support Bibles for the World, click here. If you’d like to join the GO Day initiative, click here.

Representative header image courtesy of Leonardo Dourado on Pexels.

Nehemiah with FMI says Pakistan’s disturbing terrorism trends are only getting worse.

(Photo courtesy of FMI)

“This is one terrorist activity recently, but we see in the last five months in 2026, Pakistan is highly impacted by terrorist activities – not only in the border areas in Afghanistan or with Iran, but in the capital of Pakistan as well, Islamabad.”

According to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, Pakistan surpassed Burkina Faso to take first place for worst terrorism impact.

“For many ordinary Pakistanis, especially believers and minority communities, this growing instability creates fear, uncertainty, and isolation. Ministry work becomes increasingly difficult in these conditions. Local Christian workers often travel carefully, avoid public gatherings, and minister quietly through trusted relationships.”

Despite the dangers in Pakistan, the Lord is moving and FMI is seeing people come to Jesus.

“Much of the ministry now focuses on strengthening indigenous believers who already live within these communities,” says Nehemiah. “Instead of relying on large public events, ministry outreach often happens through personal discipleship, small house fellowship, audio Bibles, storytelling devices, and humanitarian care.”

Baptism in Pakistan. (Photo courtesy of FMI)

Nehemiah asks, “Please pray for protection over indigenous ministry leaders serving in dangerous areas. Pray for wisdom as they navigate increasing security and political instability. Pray that those trapped in fear and violence would encounter the peace of Christ.

“Finally, please pray for FMI partners, that Pakistani partners would remain steadfast, compassionate, and bold even during this rising wave of terrorism in Pakistan.”

Header photo of Pakistan flag. (Photo courtesy of Abuzar Xheikh/Unsplash)

“Gen Alpha and Gen Z—they’re clearly living in a video-first world,” remarks Greg Yoder of Keys for Kids.

According to a recent report, YouTube commands 78% of viewership among U.S. children aged 2-12 and is the most popular of media platforms, especially among younger viewers—87% of children aged 2-5, 74% of children aged 6-9, and 68% of those aged 10-12 prefer YouTube. Research also shows frequent binge-watching behaviors and growth in short-form content, as younger generations increasingly turn to social media apps as search tools.

Yoder notes that Keys for Kids, which produces and distributes resources to evangelize and disciple kids and their families, is paying attention to these trends.

“They get all the information in a short-term video shape, and it shapes the way they learn, it shapes the way they search for things, how they decide what’s worth their attention. So, for Keys for Kids Ministries, that means that we need to show up where they are.”

He says the ministry’s goal is not to chase trends, but to communicate eternal truth in ways younger generations will notice, such as more short-form videos.

“So more visual storytelling, more platform-native content is something that we’re going to be doing—but we really need to make sure that we see this kind of content as a doorway and not a destination,” says Yoder. “The written devotional content still has a deep place because it slows a young person down and it helps them reflect on Scripture or the Bible rather than just scroll past it, so I don’t think it’s an either-or.”

He also notes the danger that comes in trying to reduce the Gospel itself into short-form content.

“The gospel is simple enough for a child to understand like that, but it’s not shallow. We need to be bathed in God’s word. We need to abide in Him, and abiding in Him doesn’t mean 30 to 90 seconds. Discipleship is long-form. Short-form content is an excellent way of sparking curiosity, maybe answering one question or pointing a kid to Jesus, but it can’t replace scripture. It can’t replace conversation.”

For parents who want to disciple their children but aren’t sure where to start, Keys for Kids offers devotions for kids and teens available on their app, as well as other resources. Go to keysforkids.org to learn more.

Header photo courtesy of Keys for Kids.

DeHart says many Haitians they serve are exhausted by the struggle for daily needs.

“Sometimes they don’t want to hear the gospel. So we show them love. We show them what the gospel is,” she says. “Then they will listen when we tell them about Jesus, when we tell them about the gospel.”

Food distributions
(Photo courtesy of For Haiti With Love)

The ministry provides food, clothing, shelter, medical care for burn victims, and more. That work can only be done with God’s help, given the chaos in Haiti today. The nation has lacked a stable central government since the assassination of its president nearly five years ago in July 2021.

“A lot of people are leaving the cities where the gangs are, for safety. Nothing they can do about it,” says DeHart. 

In the northern city of Cap-Haitien, the infrastructure can’t handle the influx of people fleeing gang violence. 

“Kids on the streets, families on the streets — and trash has doubled. There is so much trash in Cap-Haitien now,” DeHart says. 

Haiti’s reality continues to be sobering, but God’s promises remain.

“We need people to pray for Haiti,” says DeHart. “Without God’s help, Haiti cannot change at all.” 

In this hard season, For Haiti With Love continues to see glimpses of God’s work. DeHart says former patients from the burn clinic have returned to say they are now attending church. “All because of showing them God’s love,” she says. Another story that encouraged DeHart was when one of the ministry’s security guards shared that he had become a Christian.

Survivors from a boat explosion receive treatment at For Haiti’s burn clinic. (Photo courtesy of For Haiti With Love)

“It’s all because of contributors helping us to do what God is sending us to do in Haiti,” DeHart says.

Remember the people of Haiti in prayer. Ask God how He may want you to take part in His work there. 

“Haiti is a beautiful place, and its people are even more beautiful,” says DeHart. “They’re being forgotten. But they’re God’s children too, and they need help.”

Header photo courtesy For Haiti With Love.