In God’s providence, The Outreach Foundation has had the privilege to come alongside several ministries serving in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. We are pleased to share some of their highlights with you.
Read MoreEarlier this summer, The Outreach Foundation hosted Dr. Ivan Rusyn (President, Ukraine Evangelical Theological Seminary in Kyiv) for a visit to the U.S. His several updates included a major initiative to train military chaplains who are serving active-duty soldiers in Ukraine. This initiative has brought together Orthodox and Greek Catholic seminaries and UETS representing the broader Protestant traditions in Ukraine. Military chaplaincy is at the leading edge of what ministry candidates are being trained to do as they seek to fulfill their call while serving their country courageously.
Read MoreThe Outreach Foundation has had a long-standing relationship with Amity Printing Company in China. Located on the outskirts of Nanjing, China, Amity Printing Company is a joint venture between the Amity Foundation and the United Bible Societies. The company was established in 1988 and prints Bibles for the world. Bibles have been sent to more than 140 countries and regions.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, August 17 a violent mob of around 7,000 people attacked 22 churches in a number of Christian homes in areas outside Faisalabad. This is an area in which our partners in Pakistan operate. Please hold our brothers and sisters in Pakistan in your prayers as they grieve over this attack, seek courage to face this challenging time, and as Muslim and Christian leaders work together to ease tensions.
Read MorePCEA Urisho Church in Arusha, Tanzania was dedicated in June with a happy celebration. The church is located on top of Mount Meru, just outside Arusha.
From our base in Kikuyu, it took all day to drive to Arusha for the dedication. We got to the border at noon, and it took about two hours to cross because of the paperwork for the vehicle. The main language of Tanzania is Swahili, and very few people speak English.
Read MoreFor several years the West Gambella Bethel Synod President, Rev. James Gadet Tang, has requested help from donor partners to raise funds to replace their aging vehicle. Their vehicle was purchased in 2006 and has completed nearly 500,000 kilometers (more than 300,000 miles).
Read MoreHospitality and mutual exchanges of stories of God at work in China and the United States marked The Outreach Foundation’s first post-pandemic visit to the church in China. As we conclude our memorable time among friends who wish us God’s blessings and desire a deeper relationship with the church in America, we received the following official report from the National China Christian Council (CCC) office which hosted our visit. We look forward to sharing stories of our rich time in China with you soon!
Read MoreI am excited to share with you an update on our Holistic Evangelism Project in Tete Province, Mozambique. The year started with a bang. Cyclone Freddy made its first landfall in Mozambique in late February and then returned for a second landfall in March. Tete Province (an interior province) was spared the tremendous rainfall that coastal areas received, but crop preparation and planting were delayed, and village life was disrupted. We are grateful the damage and flooding were not as bad as we feared.
Read MoreThe dedication of PCEA Kwen-Siro Church on July 1 was the culmination of a week of mission celebration on the Kenyan coast. The celebration started on Tuesday when many went door to door in Sagalla evangelizing and inviting the town people to the church dedication on Saturday. Most of the Head Office including the Moderator, Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General attended.
Read MoreAt the end of June, a six-member team from Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Marietta, Georgia journeyed to the highlands of Kenya to make a visit to the Tumaini-Huruma Children’s Ministry. Eastminster, an Outreach church partner, had not sent a team to Kenya (due to COVID constraints) since 2018. Here is a quick snapshot of our two-day visit:
Read MorePersian Diaspora Partnerships: A New Strategy for Engaging with God’s Work in Europe
In October 2021, while COVID protocols were still in effect and few people were traveling internationally, The Outreach Foundation decided to explore a new field of harvest. It’s called Diaspora. Diaspora refers to those people living away from their homeland due to religious, political, or economic hardship. Biblically, we may recall Esther and Daniel living in Persia, or the Israelites living in Egypt, even Jesus and his family living in diaspora while on the run from Herod the Great.
Read MoreWendell Hill, Outreach trustee and Synod Men’s Council Kenya Leader (Mid-Atlantic Synod), recently returned from his seventh mission trip to Kenya. Wendell shared,
“It was another amazing, life-changing experience. Our visits to the Booth Girls’ High Schools will always be remembered. We completed four ministry sessions of “Why I Love Jesus” with 625 girls, hearing and witnessing their faith stories and testimonies of their lives. The visit ended with the girls sharing that they were blessed to be accepted at the Booth Girls’ School.
Read MoreTumaini Runners’ Program
The Tumaini Runners’ Program was started in 2007 by two young women who had recently graduated from Stanford University. Following their graduation, the young women, avid amateur runners, embarked on an adventure taking them around the world to participate in marathons across the globe. A stop in Kenya found them looking for a place to stay for a race taking place in the Mt. Kenya Region in the Central Highlands. A long-time donor to the Tumaini Children’s Center, a home for vulnerable children in Nyeri, Kenya, gave them an offer they couldn’t refuse. In exchange for accommodations, they had to promise to visit Tumaini and spend some time with the children. Out of that encounter, the Tumaini Runners’ Program was born.
Read MorePraise the Lord! The Outreach Foundation has received permission to return to mainland China from July 22 - August 1! If the past few years have taught us anything, it is not to take anything for granted and as Paul wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). Therefore, we are grateful and humbled that the Lord has opened the door for us to visit our friends in China and seek understanding on how we might serve the Kingdom of God along with them.
Read MoreThe Firm Foundation project has proven to be a remarkable initiative since its inception in March, following the devastating earthquake in the region. This program has effectively addressed the pressing need for education among individuals whose schools were either destroyed or repurposed as shelters for the homeless. Extensive efforts have been dedicated to implementing a wide range of activities, resulting in not only the continuation of academic pursuits for these students but also an enhanced educational experience.
Read MoreThe heartbreaking war in Ukraine continues. Through the generosity of many churches and friends, The Outreach Foundation has been able to establish deep relationships throughout the region, offering relief, support, and encouragement.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Theological Seminary (ETSC) held its 152nd graduation exercises at the Heliopolis Evangelical Church. Seventy graduates received diplomas, including 12 MDiv ordination track students, 1 Master of Theology student, and 33 Master of Theology students. The MDiv students will be taking ordination examinations with the intention of serving as pastors in churches across Egypt. The other students will move into various positions of service.
Read MoreRev. Dr. Youssef Samir, ETSC Board Chairman, announced the unanimous election of Rev. Dr. Samuel Rozfy as the new president of the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo.
Read More