Vulnerable Children's Fund-October Update

Established in 1998 as a shelter for street children, Home of Hope in Beirut is under the governance of the Lebanese Evangelical Society. They now serve children between the ages of 7 and 18 who have been exposed to abuse by their primary caregivers or by members of their community and are at risk. The children are brought to Home of Hope upon a judicial order and with a protection file.

Raghida Al Assal has been the Executive Director for three years and shares this: Our purpose at Home of Hope is to help the children heal through Jesus Christ. Even though 99% of our children come from non-Christian backgrounds, they attend a weekly chapel at the home.

PCEA Church Construction in Kenya - October Update

Dear friends,

Last week we dedicated PCEA Mikaro Church which is situated near the Aberdare Mountains in Central Kenya. Mikaro Church was started in 1970 by the late Rev. Thaba. They fellowshipped in the local primary school. In 1994, the church bought a one-acre plot of land and soon after built a temporary shelter. Over the years, that structure was expanded to the wooden structure shown here. The church was dark and couldn’t accommodate the then membership of 22. It also had a mud floor.

In 2015, members of Mikaro started donating money towards the construction of their new church. The leadership is great. They have a very mission-minded minster named Rev. David Ntore.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationOctober 6, 2020PCEA Church Construction in Kenya, Kenya

New Church Development in Brazil - October Update

We recently received the following letter from Outreach partner the Independent Church of Brazil (IPIB):

Dear Outreach Foundation friends,

The mission ministry is pleased to inform you of some of the actions carried out by the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil during the pandemic period.

With the support of the Central Office (represented by its President Rev. João Luiz Furtado), the local church councils, partnership with The Outreach Foundation, and members of the IPIB, the denomination was able to provide significant help to people who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The IPIB developed a project entitled "All Together in Mission" which has helped pastors, missionaries, and seminarians in communities impacted financially by the pandemic.

Namumu Orphanage Center - Update

Christopher Kasanda and Florence Chisangano grew up in vulnerable households near Siavonga, Zambia. They were each referred to Namumu Orphan Center (NOC) at a young age. There, they received care and were able to attend school. They did well in school and after years of study AND medical training, they have both returned to the Namumu clinic as clinical officers (similar to nurse practitioners). They are happy to return and Namumu is excited to have them back. They are role models for the 17 children at NOC. The Outreach Foundation is helping to support the children, including paying the school fees for the 13 children in secondary schools.

Rwanda Church Construction - September 2020 Update

In partnership with the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR), The Outreach Foundation has helped build several new sanctuaries in Rwanda and complete a few more with roofs, windows, and doors. We recently received the following report from Rev. Dr. Pascal Bataringaya, President of the EPR :

I hope you are keeping well. We continue to keep you and all sisters and brothers in the U.S.A. in our daily prayers. The following information is about the church which is under construction and where church members are very committed but need our support and our prayers.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationSeptember 17, 2020Rwanda Church Construction, Rwanda

Vote of Thanks for the Borehole Project

I write this letter on behalf of the CCAP Blantyre Synod, to express our vote of thanks and gratitude for the five boreholes that have been done in different Presbyteries…

The Outreach Foundation recently received a gracious letter from Rev. Dr. Billy Gana, General Secretary of the Central Church of Africa Presbyterian Blantyre Synod in Mozambique, Africa. Please click HERE to view the letter in its entirety.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationSeptember 16, 2020Holistic Evangelism in Tete Province, Mozambique

Syria and Lebanon Partnership

Note: The Outreach Foundation’s partner in this region is the National Evangelical [Presbyterian] Synod of Syria and Lebanon. Julie Burgess, the author of this update, has made 17 journeys with Outreach to the Middle East. This is Part II of her story (click here to read part I) that introduces us to 5 Syrian Presbyterians who are recent seminary graduates of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut who have been doing their “fieldwork” amongst some of the 20 Presbyterian congregations in Syria and who will, eventually, be called to serve, permanently, in one of them. ---Marilyn Borst, Associate Director of Partnership Development.

When you travel with The Outreach Foundation, as I have, frequently, in the past ten years, you spend hours on planes and in airports in order to finally arrive in the midst of God’s people in churches in faraway places. My best advice: take a book, or two.

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationSeptember 11, 2020Syria Appeal, Syria Lebanon Partnership

Iraq Appeal - September 2020 update

Of the three Presbyterian churches in Iraq, two of them are being served by pastors from Egypt! When our Outreach Foundation team journeyed to Iraq this past October, we were delighted to meet the Rev. Samer Karam, an Egyptian, in Kirkuk (he and his family had arrived in January) and learn a bit of his story…

While in university in Cairo, Samer had joined Campus Crusade, and, when he graduated, he stayed on as staff for a year before heading to the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC) for further study. Because two of his brothers were married to Iraqi Christians, he had heard many stories of how Christians there held great fear of terrorist organizations who were targeting believers for kidnapping and killing. As Samer tracked both the vulnerability of Christians and the subsequent immigration of many of them seeking safe haven, he began to pray about how best to serve the Church in places where Christians suffer.

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationSeptember 9, 2020Iraq Appeal, Iraq

Nile Theological College - September 2020 Update

Nile Theological College (NTC) was founded by former Presbyterian missionary Bill Anderson in 1991. It is the highest-level theological training institution offering a bachelor’s degree for the churches in South Sudan. Students at NTC include Presbyterians from two Sudanese denominations, Episcopalians, and members of other Protestant traditions. About 75% of the students are Presbyterian.

Nile Theological College provides theological and practical training to equip men and women for effective ministry in fulfilling the Great Commission in the country. NTC alumni are doing great things for the Lord in serving their denominations, other organizations, and even the government. NTC has also been helping secondary schools by providing teachers who teach Christian Education.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationSeptember 8, 2020Nile Theological College, Sudan, South Sudan

Holistic Evangelism in Tete Province - July 2020 Update

Dear friends of Tete Province,

I want to share a brief update on our work in Tete Province. Coronavirus cases seem to be rising in Tete Province after a slow start. Sebber reports that the borders are closed except for large trucks bringing in food and supplies. Our work is on hold until the situation improves and the borders open.

Until the coronavirus appeared in Tete Province in late March or early April, we had been very busy. We finished construction that started in 2019 on a church at Amphande and teacher housing at Khanga. Sebber and Carlos led five leadership training seminars and arranged for COVID awareness drama performances. We were given a list of final "punch out " items by the government in January for the new clinic in the village of Madzimaera. We completed the list and were waiting for the grand opening ceremony to be scheduled. Unfortunately, just prior to the border closing, we were given another shortlist of new items deemed necessary by the government. We have not been able to address these minor items since the lockdown was instituted. As you can imagine, Sebber, Carlos, and the villagers are very frustrated at being so close to an opening but unable to address these final items. Please pray that we will be able to get back to work soon and open this much-needed clinic.

Collaborative Mission Initiatives - July 2020 Update

God's Mission in Unexpected Times and Unexpected Ways

The Outreach Foundation has over thirty-six global partners. Many of them have a vision for mission beyond their borders, but they need connections. Collaborative Mission Initiatives help global partners engage in kingdom work together.

"There is no social distancing for the Holy Spirit." With those words, Outreach's Coordinator for Iranian Ministries, Dr. Sasan Tavassoli, explains how the work of God in the world carries on despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some of the initiatives that Outreach has participated in:

Sureste Presbyterian Theological Seminary - July 2020 Update

“Equipping the Saints” at a Distance

Dear friends,

It is a joy to share with you a note we received from Rev. José Juan Hernandez, rector of the Sureste Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Tabasco, Mexico, about the ongoing ministry of forming future church leaders for a growing church with more than two million members.

Dear friends at The Outreach Foundation,

Please receive a very affectionate greeting, hoping that God's grace will continue to protect you for your continued participation in God's work.

Sureste Presbyterian Theological Seminary remains committed to teaching and training seminarians to be church pastors whose lives and ministries are built on the foundation of God's Word.

Vulnerable Children's Fund - July 2020 Update

The Situation

According to James 1:7, “True religion is this, that we care for orphans and widows in their distress…” We cannot be faithful to the whole Gospel if we do not express love and care for the most vulnerable in our midst. The Outreach Foundation believes this fundamentally and believes that children are the most vulnerable of all in our sinful, broken world. And The Outreach Foundation believes that all children have the right to survive, to thrive, and to fulfill their God-given potential. This means understanding the global situations facing children everywhere and committing to helping to provide access to basic services, care, and education to the children in their (Outreach’s) spheres of influence.

In the church, and around the world, there is an effort to provide comprehensive care for vulnerable children that addresses the physical, emotional, educational, social, and spiritual life of every child, recognizing that they are each created in God’s image. The ultimate focus is on value and dignity for children and their families.

New Church Development in Egypt - July 2020 Update

Into the fields: Egyptian pastors visit their people in fields

One of the most difficult challenges that many pastors face in Egypt during this COVID-19 crisis is how to communicate with their people. In villages, the church IS the center of the social and spiritual life of the people. But now they are not allowed to go to church because of restrictions on social distancing. In many villages, the churches used to have meetings almost every night. People came from their farms by sunset, had a meal, and then went to church where they spent the night singing and listening to God's word. Now they cannot go to the church and they cannot enjoy worshiping together. In the village of Manshat el Dahab a young pastor, Rev. Medhat Mourice, who has served in his church for about five years decided to find a creative way to communicate with his people. Many of the people in this church can access the internet; however, the young pastor also manages to visit members in their fields. He organizes Bible study groups and has singing with his people. He is encouraging them and praying with them so as to overcome the difficulties of these days.

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJuly 16, 2020New Church Development in Egypt, Egypt

Gujranwala Theological Seminary - July 2020 Update

Gujranwala Theological Seminary (GTS) prepares young men and women for ministry in the 300 largely rural congregations of Outreach partner, the Presbyterian Church in Pakistan. We recently received the following report from Gujranwala:

Academic Progress

Gujranwala students made wonderful progress in academics in 2019. Many different academic activities were held including Seminar on Leadership, Seminar on Women’s Ministry, Outreach Workshop, Sports Day, and Study. A farewell dinner for the graduating class and other social activities were also enjoyed.

Asia, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJuly 16, 2020Gujranwala Theological Seminary, Pakistan

Reformed Presbyterian Children’s Day School Ministry - July 2020 Update

The Children’s Bible Ministry of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Guanabacoa, Cuba, began as a pastor’s dream shared with a group of visiting Americans from Thomasville, Georgia. Guanabacoa, a suburb of Havana, is a poor but proud and bustling community teeming with young families with children. Pastor Yoelkis Sierra Gonzalez knows this neighborhood well, and he saw firsthand the great need for a safe place for young children while their parents are at work. Pastor Yoelkis imagined the day when his church would welcome those children, feed and care for them, and teach them about Jesus.

Now, two years later, Pastor Yoelkis’ dream is becoming a reality. Soon after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, construction of the building that will house this ministry began early this year with a target completion date of fall 2020.

Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary - July 2020 Update

The Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary (SET) provides a high quality, diversified theological education program that prepares young church leaders to meet the challenges of growth in existing local congregations, including those of the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba, and pursuing new church developments throughout Cuba. We recently received this note from the Rev. Dr. Carlos Emilio Ham, president of the seminary:

Undoubtedly, the world is undergoing one of the most difficult moments in its history with the COVID-19 pandemic, a disease that does not distinguish social classes nor geographical locations. Many countries have been affected in a bigger or lesser magnitude in a surprising way since this disease causes severe damage to human beings’ health. Cuba has not been free from it, which is why our Council of Ministers, together with the highest leadership of our country, determined to take a series of measures corresponding with the different epidemiological stages that our country could go through. Educational centers at all levels have closed their premises; sometimes these places have become isolation facilities for patients who were suspected to carry the disease or were positive for the virus. However, alternatives have emerged by using the media to continue teaching students.

San Pablo Presbyterian Theological Seminary - July 2020 Update

Dear brothers and sisters,

At this time of year, we would typically be completing another cycle of seminary activities. But COVID-19 changed those plans. We started our semester the first week of February but sent students and employees home on March 17 following the government's mandates.

We are waiting for instruction from the government on when we will be able to reopen. Before resuming classes, we will have to disinfect everything, including all classrooms, and public spaces. We will also need to expand the classrooms to ensure that everyone is at least six feet apart. All students and teachers will have to wash their hands with antibacterial gel and wear face masks, and we will have to take everyone's temperature each time they enter the seminary. We will create a single entrance for everyone and use a sanitary filter with chlorine to clean everyone’s shoes. If anyone shows symptoms of fever, we will need to isolate them and notify the authorities.

Partner Updates