From International Antioch Ministries

We are overjoyed to share a powerful testimony from Brother Hossein, one of our courageous leaders in Iran. Amid the ongoing challenges of the Iran-Israel conflict, Hossein has opened his modest home to both believers and non-believers seeking refuge from fear and uncertainty. His heart burns with a passion to share the love of Jesus, and his home has become a sanctuary where the Gospel is proclaimed.

For many years, The Outreach Foundation has worked with partners in western Ethiopia in six United Nations refugee camps. Hundreds of thousands of refugees remain in the camps. Through partnership with U.S. churches and donors, we have been blessed to minister to and provide hope through trauma healing, Bibles in the Nuer language, and Christian education. A retired Outreach consultant recently traveled to Ethiopia and was given permission to visit several camps. He was hosted by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) West Gambella Synod. Here are excerpts from the report:

Earlier this May, we at the Children’s Bible Ministry in Cuba had the joy of welcoming a team from The Outreach Foundation and First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville, Georgia. From the moment we gathered, there was a deep sense of shared gratitude and expectancy. Among our visitors was Rev. Deena Candler, whose heart for children in Cuba has never wavered. As we caught up, she pulled up photos from her last visit in December 2022—photos of the very first children in our “Learning with Jesus” program.

Dear Supporters-

We write to you with heavy hearts, as our beloved land is once again caught in the midst of war and violence. The ongoing turmoil in the region has brought not only fear and uncertainty but also a deepening economic crisis. The closures across the West Bank have made daily life increasingly difficult for our staff, students, and community.

In the Shadow of Crisis, the Light of Christ Shines

As the devastation continues for our Persian Diaspora Partners, each day comes with new stories of how they continue to be the beacon of Christ’s light in difficult times. We have included a few of these partner stories below.

Imagine encountering the Bible for the very first time, not in a second language, but in the language you speak to your children, whisper in prayer, and carry in your heart. For Tzeltal-speaking Christians in southern México, that moment is finally within reach, and you can help make it possible.

The Tzeltal people, nearly 400,000 strong, live in the lush highlands of Chiapas. For over 50,000 of them, Tzeltal is their only spoken language. While a full translation of the Bible into Tzeltal was completed in 2003, it has never been widely published, leaving many without access to the scriptures in the language closest to their hearts.

Every season of change brings both opportunities and challenges. As we give thanks for the faithful and fruitful legacy of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s World Mission Ministry, we continue to receive challenging news from our partners who have been affected by the discontinuation of the Ministry’s work. One such partner is the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC). Since 1863, ETSC has been dedicated to preparing and equipping pastors and church leaders to serve in Egypt and beyond.

Javier first came to the Children’s Bible Ministry program, Learning with Jesus, at the Guanabacoa Presbyterian Church in January 2022. From the start, his parents—Yuraimis and Javier—were deeply engaged. They regularly attended Parent School sessions, listened closely to teachers' feedback, and eagerly welcomed support in caring for their son's education and well-being.

Across Syria and Lebanon, members of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) continue to serve faithfully in the face of great hardship. Years of war, political unrest, and economic collapse have left both countries deeply scarred. Yet, the churches remain strong and resilient, determined to preserve their Christian witness and serve their communities in the name of Christ.

Among these faithful servants are the women of the church, especially the many lay leaders, who play a vital role in the life and ministry of their congregations. They draw strength from knowing that their global Christian family sees them, prays for them, and supports them with love and tangible encouragement.

The war in Ukraine has left deep scars, some visible, others carried quietly in the soul. On the eastern edge of Kyiv, tucked among quiet trees, the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) continues to be a place of hope, learning, and spiritual restoration in the midst of upheaval. But recently, the seminary faced a painful realization: not everyone who longed for healing through theological education could enter its doors.

A New Chapter for SET in Cuba: Hope, Growth, and the Gospel Amid Hardship

Since June of last year, something remarkable has been unfolding at Seminario Evangélico de Teología (SET) in Matanzas, Cuba. Through perseverance, prayer, and the faithful support of partners like you, we have embarked on a season of renewal—both in spirit and in infrastructure.

One year ago, our team at the NOVUS Foundation gathered in prayer, seeking direction for the next step in our mission. On February 18, 2024, we simply asked: "Lord, show us what's next."

Exactly one year later, to the day, God answered in the most extraordinary way.

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.”

Visiting Our Friends and Partners in México

From the windswept high desert of Durango to the sweltering tropical Pacific coast lowlands of Colima, the Spirit of God is on the move in a mighty way in this predominantly Catholic country. Since 2021, The Outreach Foundation has partnered with the National Presbyterian Church of México (INPM) to advance the Gospel and mature disciples for Christ’s kingdom. The Presbyterian church is alive and thriving south of the border, with 8,000 congregations and over six million members.

At The Outreach Foundation, we are continually inspired by the vibrant and courageous ministry of our partner, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers, which empower this church to fulfill its mission. Today, we are happy to share a glimpse of how God is moving through our partners in Egypt.

Last year, Zimbabwe experienced its worst drought in over 40 years. The skies stayed silent, the crops withered, rivers dried up, and cattle died in alarming numbers. It was a year of scarcity, sorrow, and struggle.

It’s with hearts full of gratitude that we share what God is doing through your prayers and support in Varginha, Florianópolis, and Curitiba, Brazil. These aren’t just cities on a map—they are fields where the seeds of faith are taking root, growing into thriving communities of Christ-followers. Here are just a few glimpses of the Kingdom work unfolding:

“Our region desperately needs your prayers and support.” This is the heartfelt plea from our partner, Together for the Family (TFF). In the land where believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26), Christians and other minority groups are enduring unbearable economic, religious, and social hardships. Syria’s collapsed economy and Islamist rule have forced millions to flee in search of safety. Many have sought refuge in Lebanon, a country grappling with its own deepening crisis.