Most students, whether just starting out in school or nearing the end of graduate school, look forward to summer vacation. It is a chance to take a break, get some much-needed rest, or catch up on all the things that get pushed to the side in the midst of the rigors of academic pursuit.

For a Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo (ETSC), summers look a little different. Rather than a break, summers are a time for internships, or as ETSC describes them, “the classroom of life.” Summer internships provide an intentional opportunity for students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to ministry.

Paul’s words to the church in Corinth echo true in this heavy and uncertain moment as war once again casts a long shadow over the Middle East. Violence, fear, and instability have a way of affecting everyone – families, churches, ministries, and the most vulnerable in communities. No one remains untouched.

In such circumstances, it would be easy to despair and to give up hope. And yet, our partners throughout the Middle East are responding differently. Below is a brief update on our partners who find themselves in the midst of uncertainty and upheaval.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, donors through The Outreach Foundation have given more than $2 million with sacrificial love. This will be our third winter partnering with the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS), holding fast for a just peace while bombs fall and power grids collapse. In a recent conversation with a partner who works with war-affected children and orphans, we heard grim words: “We would be willing to settle for peace now.” This signals weariness we’ve not heard before. Through this update, know hope continues to spread through our faithful partners whom we continue to support. We once again ask you to respond prayerfully and generously to this winter’s challenge.

From the heart of the city where Jesus was born comes a testimony of hope and transformation, then we move south to the Arabian Peninsula — a region of attractiveness and wonder. Amid deserts and skyscrapers, God is at work through God’s people.

In China, where Christianity surges despite tightening policies and cultural shifts, Christian Communications Limited (CCL) empowers a church pulsing with resilience and hope. From remote ethnic minority villages to vibrant urban centers, believers face daunting challenges: a shortage of trained pastors and difficulty engaging the next generation. Recently, CCL’s team shared stories of unwavering faith and bold innovation in China.

Standing with Ukraine: A Trusted Partnership Amid Crisis

On August 15, 2025—day 1,269 of Russia’s brutal invasion—Ukrainians were glued to their media outlets awaiting word from the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Their hearts are heavy yet hopeful for a just peace. In this tense moment, The Outreach Foundation, rooted in our mission to fuel the global mission of Jesus Christ through trusted relationships, hosted a stirring conversation between a faithful donor from Northern Ireland and Dr. Ivan Rusyn, President of the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) in Kyiv. Our partnership, forged through three wartime visits delivering relief and trauma counseling training, embodies Christ’s love in action.

Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38). Many today worry about barren fields and poor harvests when it comes to faith. Jesus teaches the opposite. In His view, there is a huge harvest out there. What we have is a worker problem. 

This is the attitude of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) in Zambia. They look on the horizon and see a bumper crop harvest. What they desperately need are workers to minister to all these new believers. While the CCAP has 103 congregations, 88 pastors, and 17 evangelists, it currently has churches in only 30 of the 116 districts of Zambia. The church leaders have a vision “aimed at equipping spirit-filled men and women to be church leaders for effective evangelism, mobilization, church growth and planting, and community transformation within Zambia and beyond.”

Dr. Samuel Rozfy visited with numerous partners during his most recent trip to the United States, January 26-February 6. He began his visit with a stop in Hendersonville, Tennessee, visiting the Community Church of Hendersonville. Community Church is a new ministry partner, currently funding a MAT scholarship. Don and Ann Crittenden joined him as he attended the ECO National Gathering in Greenville, South Carolina. His host for the event was the Eastminister Church in Marrietta, Georgia.

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Zambia was constituted in 1984 with four ordained ministers, six congregations, and two presbyteries. The church continues to preach the Gospel and provide education, clean drinking water, agricultural services, children's ministry, and many other services. Well-trained ministers are needed to keep these ministries going. Ministers were previously trained in Malawi but in 2007, the church started its own school, Chasefu Theological College, with 16 students.

With support from The Outreach Foundation, Chasefu provides training in diploma and certificate programs. More than 70 ministers have been educated and are currently serving in the CCAP Synod of Zambia, Harare-Zimbabwe, and Livingstonia-Malawi.