January 12, 2012
It almost goes without saying that many countries today are closed to the overt sharing of the gospel. Marketplace ministries (mm) deploys and supports lay professionals to enter countries that are closed to traditional mission workers. Through professional endeavors, mm servants, some of whom raise their own support, are able to build relationships as they work and live in those communities. Because of the sensitive nature of these mm initiatives, only the vaguest descriptions are given below, but specific prayer is greatly appreciated.
- A family is running two sustainable work projects, focusing on producing large water filters as well as crafting and fitting prosthetics.
- Long-term doctors are working in clinics and hospitals in several countries
- A family in Indonesia has started a school at the request of the village where they live. The school is staffed by nationals who are Christians and have been discipled by this couple over the last few years.
- A family owns a café and recording studio where people of the traditional religion feel free to discuss who God is and compare the Bible with their religious teaching.
- A couple in Asia runs an international school and is working with the underground church in a neighboring country.
- A counseling center was started as a combined work with GCF-funded personnel working with mm personnel. They are continuing to reach into earthquake ravaged areas of Asia, not only providing help for people still traumatized by the earthquake but also training locals in how to provide continued assistance to these people.
- Workers are reaching into two rural unreached people groups in Asia, seeing people come to faith, and forming new believers into communities of faith.
- A training program that focuses on urban professionals in an Asian city leads them to faith, disciples them, gives them opportunities to serve, and then challenges them to serve the Lord full time. It is seeking to reproduce this effective model in other parts of Asia.
- A single woman is working as an English teacher with three churches, which consist of Christian refugees.
- A professor is working at a leading university in Asia and is holding Bible studies in his home.
- A family in the Middle East is working and teaching at a leading public university.
- A couple in Africa runs an orphanage and has completed a new translation of the Bible in cooperation with a partner church.