Voices from Ukraine

February 25, 2022

The Outreach Foundation is listening to voices of our friends from Eastern Europe and we are sharing them with you.

While the bitter cold of war continues to escalate, we are grateful to share with you the voices of our friends in and around Ukraine. Friends such as Father Oleh Kindii, a professor of philosophy at Lviv University and a parish priest. Today he received hundreds of confessions from people. Today he wrote, “On this day when Russia has launched a vicious attack on the country of Ukraine, we pray that the Good Shepherd may bring strength and wisdom to leadership and protection for the most vulnerable now in this unjustified, premeditated aggression. Prayers for all.”

Nile Theological College - February 2022 Update

Nile Theological College (NTC) provides theological and practical training to equip men and women for effective ministry in Sudan and South Sudan. Our support helps provide scholarships for students to continue to study and make an impact serving their congregations, denominations, and other organizations. Here are excerpts from NTC’s most recent newsletter, Light to the Nations:

Africa, Projects, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationFebruary 23, 2022Nile Theological College, South Sudan, Sudan, Bob and Kristi Rice

China Partnership - February 2022 Update

Congratulations to Freda Li
She was given an “excellent” rating by her faculty at the University of Liverpool, Suzhou, China, and was recognized for being a faculty member of distinction. This is rarely attained by new faculty members. Freda earned this while taking care of her son as a single mother, volunteering as a preacher at her church, and serving as a small group leader. Freda was the main speaker for our last conversation with Chinese friends.

Update on Cyclone Batsirai in Madagascar

Nancy Warlick shared this note and information from the Madagascar Mission Network:

There is great need at this time for prayer for God's people and rebuilding in Madagascar following the devastation caused by Cyclone Batsirai in early February.

Syria Lebanon Partnership - February 2022 Update

Mathilde and Firas, two bondservants of Christ Jesus, were sent to shepherd God’s people in the Al-Hasakeh Governorate in the far northeastern corner of Syria. This tip of the country is bordered by Turkey in the north, the Tigris in the northeast, Iraq in the southeast, and the Euphrates in the southwest. It is a contested region, forgotten by much of the world, where Turkey has annexed a swath of the north and the Kurds have declared it an autonomous region. It is to this impossibly difficult region that Mathilde, Firas, and their families were called.

Middle East, Projects, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationFebruary 17, 2022Syria, Lebanon, Syria Lebanon Partnership, Syria Appeal

John McCall - February 2022 Update

Dear friends,

I often take the Taiwan High-Speed Rail to teach at the seminary in the south or to speak or preach in various places around Taiwan. As one takes the escalator in every High-Speed Rail station, an announcement tells those on the escalator to “stand firm.”

Every time I hear this announcement, I think of the African song:

“Stand, Oh, stand firm,

Stand, Oh, Stand firm,

And see what the Lord can do!”

The Outreach FoundationFebruary 16, 2022John McCall, Taiwan

New Church Development in Egypt - February 2022 Update

Yellow Mountain became “Green with growth”

“Yellow Mountain” is a rather picturesque-sounding name for a sprawling slum area in greater Cairo to which many people migrated from other parts of the country to find more opportunities. Most of those people are from poor backgrounds and had lived in small villages. About 10 years ago, one of the seminary students from ETSC (Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo), Jimmy Wageeh, went to the area to meet some of those families. He started by visiting them in their homes, forming a Bible study group, and then serving kids. After the number of families increased, they rented a place to have ministry and worship. The church grew in both number and quality of services.

PCEA Ndagara Church - Kenya - February 2022

Stu Ross, East Africa Mission Consultant, recently sent this note about the dedication of PCEA Ndagara Church in Kenya. The church was built in partnership with First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN.

Dear friends,

Today, February 6, 2022, we dedicated Ndagara Church in Laikipia Presbytery, which is about a six-hour drive from home. Although we have already built six churches in the Presbytery,

Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo - February 2022 Update

My name is Mofreh Abdelmasieh (pictured on the left). I’m from a village called Dashloot. I grew up in an evangelical family. My father is an elder in our village church, which was founded by American missionaries in 1886. My father loves the church, and I was raised hearing about the important role of the church in people’s lives. When I was young, my father talked to me about becoming a pastor, but I rejected that idea until I went to university. I started serving with a ministry helping students develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ then leading them on the journey of discipleship. I continued for three years until I graduated and began my military service. While serving in the military, I heard God call me to pastoral ministry, so I made the decision to attend ETSC.

Musalaha - February 2022 Update

Musalaha is a faith-based organization that teaches, trains, and facilitates reconciliation, mainly between Israelis and Palestinians from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, but also international groups, based on biblical principles of peace, tolerance, and love. We recently received news about Musalaha from Executive Director Daniel Munayer:

I find myself both excited and humbled to be taking on the role of Executive Director. I am well aware of the big shoes I have to fill, but together as a team, we have already begun rethinking our strategy and approach as an organization. Some changes include revisiting our organizational structure and sharpening our mission statement. Some other changes include further developing our projects domestically and expanding our vision and expertise internationally.

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationFebruary 2, 2022Musalaha, Israel, Palestine

Europe Initiative - January 2022 Update

Jesus, Bread of life, Multiplying Loaves and Lives in Liverpool

This story has been used with permission from Operation Promises.

Imagine fleeing from your home, cut off from family and friends, and facing an unknown future. This is the painful reality confronting many refugees. Layered on this trauma is the uncertainty and pain of the pandemic. Yet, there is hope and life to be found even in the midst of these distressing times. The Frontline Iranian Refugee Church, located in the heart of Liverpool, is a place where God is working and bringing about new life and a hopeful future for many displaced people.

Europe, Partnership, Projects, Middle EastThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 31, 2022Europe Initiative

Refugee Appeal - January 2022 Update

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40

It is not in the news much these days, but it is a significant part of the ministry we do, especially in places like Jordan, Lebanon, and South Sudan. And we do it with your help, my friends. There are currently more than 80 million displaced people around the world – that means one out of every 97 people – and more than 40% are children. This desperate situation is compounded by the pandemic as well as by the economic disasters of host countries, such as is in Lebanon.

Partnership, Projects, Middle EastThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 31, 2022Refugee Appeal, Together for the Family, Lebanon

Matasia High School Library in Kenya - January 2022 Update

We recently received this note from Stu Ross, Outreach’s East Africa Mission Consultant.

The Matasia Boys’ High School library is the seventh library we have built. On January 20, we placed and organized 2,000 books on the shelves. In schools where we have built libraries, students’ grades have improved.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 26, 2022Linda's Libraries, Stu Ross, Kenya

Press Release: Nancy Warlick's "Adventures in Faith: A Reflection of My Life in Africa"

Tampa, FL / November 17, 2021 – Signalman Publishing is pleased to announce the release of Adventures in Faith: A Reflection of My Life in Africa by Nancy Warlick of Orlando, Florida.

Early in life, Nancy felt the call to serve God by serving the people of Africa – especially those in what was then known as the Belgian Congo. Upon meeting a seminary student, Bill Warlick, and discovering a shared interest in missions, they wed and set their sights on heading to the Congo as Presbyterian missionaries. Thus began a journey of service lasting over four decades – and not just in the Congo but across the African continent.

Presbyterian Education Board and Pakistan Christian Recording Ministries Update

The church in Pakistan holds a precious place in the heart of The Outreach Foundation. Out of all the countries where we show up, our Christian friends experience the greatest amount of persecution in Pakistan. Yet, they remain resilient and courageous and the witness of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior sings loudly. We are privileged to stand with them!

The Outreach Foundation is pleased to bring word from two of our dear friends in Pakistan, the Presbyterian Education Board, and Pakistan Christian Recording Ministries.

Venezuela Appeal - January 2022 Update

Venezuela, home to the world’s largest oil reserves, is a case study in the perils of becoming a petrostate. Since it was discovered in the country in the 1920s, oil has taken Venezuela on an exhilarating but dangerous boom-and-bust ride that offers lessons for other resource-rich states. Decades of poor governance have driven what was once one of Latin America’s most prosperous countries to economic and political ruin… So begins a recent article from the Council of Foreign Affairs and it is that kind of news which tends to stick in our heads when we think about “Venezuela.”

Being a student of mission history, I went in search of the background of our (newer) partner there, Iglesia Presbiteriana de Venezuela (IVP) – the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela.

Latin America, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 20, 2022Venezuela, Venezuela Appeal

Mike Kuhn - January 2022 Update

Mike Kuhn currently serves in the International Theological Education Network as a specialist and consultant. Mike’s ministry focus is discipleship and spiritual formation among both Arab Christians and those who have come to Christ from a non-Christian background. Read more about Mike’s work in the following update:

Global WorkersThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 17, 2022Mike Kuhn, EPC, Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Cuba Partnership - January 2022 Update

A December to Remember

Even as Cuba continues to struggle mightily with the effects of the pandemic and an economy in shambles, our partners there continue to inspire us with their resiliency, perseverance, and flat-out joy. This update is intended to give you some glimpses of that Spirit by highlighting several events…

Latin AmericaThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 13, 2022Cuba Partnership, Cuba

Partner Updates

A December to Remember