One of the things our youth at South Highland say consistently every summer after they have been to the Montreat youth conference and try to describe it to the congregation is, “you just have to be there to understand fully.” That is certainly true of the crown jewel of Pakistan, Forman Christian College and University.
Read MoreJesus held up a woman as a model of faith to his disciples. Not only was she a woman, but she was a Canaanite woman, a “Gentile dog” as Jesus’ Jewish disciples thought of her. She was desperate for help for her daughter and took the risk to persistently shout through the crowd for Jesus’ attention and mercy to deliver her from the evil which controlled her family. Jesus did not send this persistent, noisy mother away, as his disciples told him to do, but engaged her in dialogue, listened to her, did as she asked (healing for her daughter), and publicly praised her in front of his disciples, saying, “Woman, great is your faith!”
Read MoreGod has determined our days. So, we won’t live in fear about today. When Veda Javeed (Director, Presbyterian Education Board) spoke these words to us, we couldn’t quite understand what she meant. Today in meeting the young teams leading Pakistan Bible Correspondence School (PBCS) and Pakistan Christian Recording Ministry (PCRM), our comprehension deepened.
Read MoreThe Outreach Foundation team witnessed this during our day with the Presbyterian Education Board (PEB), Veda Gill and her incredible staff. Veda is remarkable. She is a faithful, bold follower of Christ. God placed a vision and mission on her heart many years ago and there is no force in this world that will turn her from her path. Veda leads PEB, a Christian non-profit organization serving the poorest of the poor for more than 150 years providing quality education to both Christians and Muslims with a special focus on building Christ-like character.
Read MoreWe are having a wonderful reunion with friends after a too long hiatus for The Outreach Foundation to return to Pakistan. Our last visit was before 2016 when visas were denied, followed by COVID.
The Outreach Foundation team in Pakistan is a stellar group of seasoned intercultural veterans, whether it be in Pakistan or other parts of Asia. Tom Boone (Associate Director for Mission) leads the team and is accompanied by trustees Nancy Fox, Ed Hurley, and Berry and Elizabeth Long. We’re pleased to be joined by Rev. Walter Thompson and Karen Winkler from First Presbyterian in Midland, TX, on their first trip with The Outreach Foundation though they have much experience in Asia. Also, Mark Mueller (Executive Director) is here despite having already spent 11 days in Europe!
Read More“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (Jn 3:8). Such words describe well The Outreach Foundation’s experience of being led by the Spirit in Eastern Europe to address the imminent needs created by the war in Ukraine.
Read MoreToday, as the day ends, I sit in a hotel room humbled by dinner with a group of women and two children, now refugees from Kyiv trying to get to Spain. It had been a long day already defined by Spirit-infused moments as wandered like Philip in Acts 8 not knowing where exactly he would end up.
Read More“It is a ridiculous notion that we have to humanize humans.” Ewan Roberts, manager of Asylum Link Centre, reminded all of us of the danger of speaking of immigration, refugees, or asylum-seeking solely in terms of numbers. The numbers themselves are astounding and rising.
Read MoreOne of the experiences The Outreach Foundation team most anticipated was our women’s event with the women in the church Shapoor pastors.
Read MoreI’ve come from a broken home and have had a broken heart, but seldom have I seen brokenness on display as I have seen it in Liverpool among the Iranian refugees.
Read MoreHis name is John. He is one of many refugees who has a unique story to tell about his arduous journey to Liverpool, England. His story began in the nation of Yemen, where he was raised as a Muslim, later married, and fathered two children. Something phenomenal happened to John.
Read MoreSalaam! And greetings from your team in Liverpool. Sunday was an amazing day of worship and fellowship with our Iranian brothers and sisters!
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