Greetings from southern Madagascar!
Today is the last day of partner church Fiangonan’i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara (FJKM’s) General Assembly meeting.
General Assembly members will elect a 100-member General Council that will govern the FJKM until the next General Assembly in 2029. FJKM’s officers including the president will be elected from the 100-member General Council. The FJKM will also vote on major priorities for the next 4 years.
Read MoreDear Friends,
My name is Dariush Golbaghi, founder of Safehouse Ministries—a movement born from nearly two decades of ministry among persecuted believers and diaspora communities across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. I’m thrilled to share that I will be traveling to the United States from October 5th to 10th for a season of ministry, teaching, and mission engagement.
Read MoreAdvent Greetings from NESSL
Dear Supporters,
We are honored to share with you a powerful message we received from our partner Rev. Joseph Kassab, General Secretary, National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL). In his message, Rev. Kassab expressively describes the current situation in Syria, shedding light on the hopes, concerns, and challenges faced by our Syrian sisters and brothers in Christ. We invite you to read his words and join us in prayerful solidarity. Here is his message:
Read More“A land yearning for peace yet has never seen it. Peace to the Middle East, with all it holds, and to all who live in it.” These words, circulating on social media and spoken from the depths of sorrow, reflect the grief and hope of Middle Eastern people amidst relentless turmoil. Just days after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, a major escalation in the Syrian war took place last weekend, casting a shadow over fleeting hopes of stability in the region.
Read MoreAs we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the greatest gift ever given, remember your loved ones this Christmas by making a gift in their honor to The Outreach Foundation. Whether it’s for someone with a special heart for mission or for the person who has everything, it’s a beautiful way to demonstrate God’s love for us through the gift of His son, Jesus. Gifts can be designated to a specific partner that you or your loved one are passionate about. To give a gift, please mail a check to our address below with your designation listed in the memo line or give online via the link below. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at info@theoutreachfoundation.org.
Read MoreIn the wake of the escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza, the situation in South Lebanon has become increasingly perilous. While the exchange of hostilities from both sides remained contained within previously accepted “rules of engagement,” the situation has escalated quickly as of mid-September. Communities near the border have been greatly affected, leading to a significant displacement of residents from their homes. Our partner organizations like the Compassion Protestant Society, which is the diaconal arm of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches, and the Forum for Development Culture and Dialogue in Lebanon are all on the ground providing much-needed support and relief to some of the 112,000 internally displaced persons.
Read MoreIt is with deep sadness that we share the news that Rev. Dr. William T. “Bill” Bryant passed away today. Please keep his wife, Bette, their sons and daughter, and their grandchildren in your prayers during this difficult time.
Read MoreOn Monday, September 23, 2024, the war between Israel and Hezbollah took a devastating turn as Israel unleashed new waves of airstrikes on Lebanon. The moment I heard the news, my heart raced, and I immediately reached out to my sister and my 12-year-old niece, who live in southern Lebanon. When my sister finally picked up the phone, her voice was trembling, barely able to speak. Just minutes before my call, an Israeli missile had struck an apartment building a mere 900 feet from their home.
Read MoreThe church in Iraq is growing, indeed! As a result of the partnership between the Presbyterian Church in Iraq and the Synod of the Nile in Egypt, a fourth church has been planted. Located in Dohuk, this new church plant will be pastored by Adel Hanin from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, another Outreach partner. Pastor Adel, pictured here with his family, is the fourth Egyptian pastor sent to serve in Iraq. Pastor Manassa Nesem, Executive Director of the Pastoral, Outreach, and Mission Council (POMC) in Egypt, shared this joyful news and need:
Read MoreIt is well-known that the Word of the Lord is rapidly spreading in China, even though the religious policy environment has changed in the recent decade. What does this look like on the ground? What and how can we pray for them? Are there mission opportunities for us? Now, you are invited to attend our China Ministry Forum in Charlotte, NC, this Labor Day weekend.
Read MoreFounded in 1979, The Outreach Foundation celebrates 45 years of global ministry this year. While talking with donors, trustees, pastors, and lay leaders this winter, we heard rich reflections and insightful observations about our executive leadership here at Outreach. These skilled, tireless, and Spirit-filled executive directors have been a blessing to The Outreach Foundation. Around the globe, much has changed socially, politically, and economically; but the ministry of The Outreach Foundation has remained Christ-centered and partner-focused. We’ve also been alert to the ever-evolving needs and circumstances of God’s people through disasters, war, persecution, and explosive growth of the global church.
Read MoreWe mourn the loss of Richard “Dick” Knox Swayze, Sr., who died peacefully Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Highland Home in Ridgeland, MS. Rick and his wife Bibby served as Brazil Consultants for The Outreach Foundation, taking short-term mission groups to various areas of Brazil, including the Northeast, South Brazil, and the Amazon River Basin. They facilitated the formation of partnerships between the partner denomination in Brazil and Presbyterian congregations throughout the United States.
Read MoreOne of our core priorities at The Outreach Foundation is investing in the capacity of the global church through efforts to strengthen church leadership by providing theological training and helping equip conferences put on by our global mission partners. Our friends at the Western Gambella Bethel Synod in Ethiopia are planning to host a conference that will do just this for 128 active pastors in their synod.
Read MoreWe know them as Immediate First Aid Kits, “IFAKs” for short. Dr. Ivan Rusyn tells us that other than ammunition and missiles, these are the number one request from soldiers and their commanders. Outreach Foundation donors, churches, and a partnership through Delta Airlines all came together to deliver 1,000 IFAKs to Ukraine during our April 2024 visit. This was just in time for the anticipated escalation of military activity this summer.
Read MoreFriends of Pakistan, on Saturday, May 25 The Outreach Foundation received word of a wave of violence against Christians in Sargodha, Pakistan. Sargodha has a population of nearly 700,000 and is north of Faisalabad in an area that has increasingly experienced violence by radicalized Muslims. The current situation is yet another example of a mob’s misapplication of “blasphemy laws” in Pakistan. A recent article gave some explanation for those unfamiliar with the situation.
Read MoreThe National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, or NESSL, has been pouring into its female leaders equipping them for the next decade of ministry and outreach in their communities. These women represent their churches in the biblical cities of Sidon (Lebanon) and Damascus (Syria), in cities prominent in international news such as Beirut and Aleppo, and in many lesser-known but vital communities. Each participating church sent one long-time leader and one emerging female leader.
Read MoreOur team is traveling to Ukraine in the next month and we don’t want you to miss this wonderful opportunity to help Ukrainian soldiers still in the throes of war. These brand new U.S.-made first aid kits are crucial for the safety of the soldiers as it's been said that those who receive these kits have an increased survivability rate nearing 90% over those who do not have them.
Read MoreThe Outreach Foundation recently received a request from one of our key partners in Mexico, the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, to join them in prayer on March 20th (6 am to 9 am CDT). The request for prayer stems from the growing violence in the southern state of Chiapas, which borders Guatemala. Large numbers of immigrants from Central and South America as well as Asia and Africa funnel through the mountainous terrain between these two countries. The Outreach Foundation partners with a church plant in the capital city of Tapachula which ministers to the large volume of immigrants that are passing through the state on their way north. A high volume of drugs also transit through this area.
Read MoreECO congregations are fueling Christ’s mission in China! The Outreach Foundation is pleased to introduce Chris Bin Wang as our China Mission Specialist. When asked about his excitement for joining our team, Chris said that “The Outreach Foundation has been a friend to Chinese Christians for decades. I’m honored to be part of this amazing legacy!” With Chris on staff, we are excited about our expanding ministry in China and for the emerging opportunities that will excite churches here in the United States. Tom Boone, Associate Director for Mission with The Outreach Foundation and Chris Bin Wang will be co-leading a visioning trip from October 11-23, 2024. Individuals and churches are invited to travel with us as we see the tremendous work of the Gospel taking place in China. What we offer in this season is to show you just how vast the harvest in China and the diaspora has become. Make their story part of your own!
Read MoreThe Outreach Foundation is excited to introduce Cindy Holman as our new Bookkeeper!
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