From the Field

By God’s grace and sovereignty, we have experienced some wonderful highlights in 2016. We completed the transition from a broad-based ministry model to one where we concentrate on serving a single church in a single location. This has been a difficult transition, but we are deeply committed to the church as God’s vehicle in the world in this dispensation. While we thought this might make our ministry life more manageable, the complete opposite has been true! The church can be a messy place, but the church is God’s means of displaying His glory. So we consider it all joy as we encountered various trials. It has tested our faith, and it has produced endurance! 

Church Governance: We completed a year-long process of examination and preparation to install a plurality of male Elders to replace the church’s 10-year “steering committee” structure. In March of 2016, five men were nominated to become Elders, and Lord willing, will be formally installed in the first quarter of 2017. 

Ministry Philosophy and Structure: One of the chief tasks for the Elder candidates was to develop a clear and biblical philosophy for ministry, along with a structure to support their ministry programs. The results of this nine month effort was presented at the end of the year at the church’s annual general meeting. 

Expository Preaching: Completing a process that began in 2015, the church fulfilled their goal to staff all of their preaching internally. Seven men committed to an intensive training process to learn the expository preaching method. We began with a series on Jesus’ sermon on the mount and then on to our first book – James. In November, they began what will be a year long series on the book of Ephesians. In addition to preparing their weekly messages, the speakers prepare a Small Group Discussion Guide (SGDG) as a companion to their sermon. In 2016, a number of small groups experimented with the SGDG, using it to go deeper with an emphasis on applying the messages to their daily lives. What a blessing to see the Holy Spirit fill lay-leaders for this important ministry of the church. Remember, none of these men have had the privilege of formal theological training and ALL of them serve bi-vocationally! A testimony to being submitted to, and walking in, the Holy Spirit. 

Biblical Counseling: Like many churches, there is a great need to counsel people on handling life biblically. Significant steps were taken to train an initial group of Biblical counselors and then deploy them throughout the small group network. 

Bible Studies: Two women’s Bible studies (singles and Mom’s group) and one mixed Bible study commenced in 2016 studying the book of Romans. It is a very new thing for this church to participate in detailed, verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible. It was pure joy to watch them experience slowing down and discovering the richness of God’s word. 

Personal Discipleship: Both of us worked closely with a small number of key church leaders, meeting on a regular basis to focus on growing in spiritual maturity and as leaders. Our home was filled with people most nights of the week – something new, and challenging, for both of us as the gift of hospitality is not a natural one. This started slowly, but by year end has started to yield some fruit. 

Celebration: 2016 marked the 10-year anniversary of this church, which they celebrated with a church wide gathering… a first in their history. What a joyful time it was! What began as a small group Bible study has grown into a 350 person church that conducts three weekend services, children’s and adult Sunday school classes, and 30 weekly small group gatherings. What a testimony to the power of God – and the faithfulness of these local saints. Again, let me remind you… not one paid staff member. Completely lay led. Quite remarkable really! 

Looking Ahead: Over the past ten years, the church in China has experienced a period of peaceful coexistence and relative freedom to meet openly. This appears to be changing – both quickly and severely. The Chinese central government issued new religious regulations for comment over the summer. If enacted into law (very likely), they will lead to serious persecution and drive significant changes to the way the church, to be God’s church, has to operate in China. At the extreme, our group might be faced with breaking into their 30 small groups to avoid detection. In short, the modest gains in semi-open Christian gatherings over the past ten years will be rolled back in a draconian fashion when these new regulations become enacted in March of 2017. Please pray for discernment and protection for our church. For us personally, it may result in changes to our ability to be here on a full-time basis. We have been told by credible sources that we need to treat every month as if it could be our last month. 

It is our distinct privilege to be supported by you, enabling us to fulfill our call. We are most thankful! 

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Kathy Paschall – a faithful servant who is making a difference in the lives of the Pokot children in western Kenya. For the past six years, Kathy has traveled to Kenya with nochild.org which administers the child sponsorship program for Pokot Outreach Ministries, our partner there.

Kathy and her husband, Dr. Mark Paschall, along with children Ethan and Emmy, served as missionaries for a number of years in Ivory Coast before returning home to Michigan. They began faithfully serving in their church and held on to their passion for missions. In 2011, Mark traveled to Kenya as part of a medical team. Kathy was approached by a friend at church asking if she would participate in a mission trip to help with a child sponsorship project. While she had been excited for her husband to go, she was reluctant. She couldn’t take on something like that with a group of strangers! The Lord softened her heart, and she made her first trip to Kenya in 2012. In 2014, she began leading the team and hasn’t looked back!

This summer, Kathy will make her sixth trip to the Pokot. When asked why she keeps going back, she immediately replied that it is the people – building relationships with the staff of the children’s homes as well as the children. Each year she (and they!) look forward to the visits.

The Paschall family sponsors two boys, and Kathy has developed a strong bond with her “Kenyan children” through these trips. She is pictured below with Emry (left) and Elijah (right). These boys know that they are loved and prayed for!

We are thankful for Kathy’s commitment to the Pokot children. Please join us in praying for Kathy and her team as they travel to Kenya again this summer.

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Will You Help?

As always, we covet your prayers while we continue to share the light of the Gospel in India. This primarily Hindu nation is a dark place, but we continue to be encouraged as we see the church continue to grow. 

One of the ways that we reach the lost in India is through education. The schools we operate serve the lower caste of remote villages. We provide a Christ-center education to children that would otherwise not be able to attend school. Our hope is to reach these children before the forces of evil creep in. 

Currently, we have 500 students in two schools. In 2015, we took on an additional 200 students from neighboring villages. Almost 90% of these new students are girls. In India, girls are considered a burden, are often mistreated, and are married off in childhood. We hope to empower these girls with tools that lead to a successful future, to stand up for themselves, and fight injustice with the Lord’s help. 

When we took on these students, we received additional funding from another ministry that helped to offset the cost. Due to government intervention, that funding is no longer available. We now have an immediate need of 200 sponsors for these children. Only $19 per month provides all necessary school supplies, a uniform, a daily meal, and a life-changing education. 

Our Creator is faithful and mindful of our needs. We are trusting the Lord to provide so that these children experience the love and redemption of Christ, as well as have an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty through the power of education. 

Please click donate to help us continue educating these precious children.

Kamlesh and Ranu Bairwa, Good Samaritan Sewa Kendra

Transforming Camp Transformation

Summer Camp has been a vital part of our ministry to bring orphans to Christ and help them prepare for life. For over five years, we have watched local Russian churches become more involved and dedicated to the camp ministry known as “Camp Transformation”. The camp has grown to include a children’s camp, youth camp, family camp, and father and son camp, as well as special retreats. Camp counselors have built relationships with many of the orphans and stay in touch with them throughout the year. 

Outside of purchasing vouchers for orphans to attend summer camp, we have helped with several small building projects to keep the camp functioning throughout the years. We believe that now is the time for us to help in a greater way than ever before. There are two reasons why we are committed to this project. 

1. For years, we have watched the commitment of these local churches to the camp grow. Our burden has always been to get behind those in Russia who are making a difference with what God has given them! 

2. The impact the camp has had on countless orphans over the years is absolutely priceless. Hundreds of orphans have come to Christ, and many of them are now rooted in their faith. For over eight years, the camp staff has watched God completely transform these children. Last year, without our help or involvement, they prepared the camp for ten handicapped orphans. It was humbling to see the other children and mentors take these ten children under their wings for the entire week! 

We have laid out a two-year plan to upgrade two of the four buildings that comprise the camp. These major upgrades include room renovations, door and window replacement, and adding heat to two of the four buildings. We are confident that this investment will help keep the camp open, encourage others in Russia to become more involved in the camp ministry, and allow more kids to hear the Gospel and grow in their walk with the Lord. 

Please click the donate button below to help!  If you have any questions or would like further information about the capital improvement plan, please contact Jeff via email at jeff@harvesters.net or via phone at 843-368-9580.