Indigenous Ministries

Indigenous Ministries

Beyond the Map

GBC Winter Teaching Module

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Winter Teaching Module:  We were privileged once again to have three lecturers teach at GBC this year, Pastor Robert Jones from Louisiana, Pastor Tim Brondyke from Michigan and scientist Phil Bairrington from California. Both Robert and Phil were returning lecturers. The students enjoyed the lectures immensely; we are deeply grateful to these men for their contribution to GBC.

  • Phil taught classes in science
  • Tim taught a class on dealing with difficult people in ministry with a biblical perspective
  • Robert taught biblical study methods thru the valuable lense of a lifetime of ministry experience

GBC Alumni Blog

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GBC Holds First Alumni Meet

Last month 25+ GBC alumni came together for three days just before graduation to share with each other, the current students, US guests and the faculty and staff, updates in their lives and to share time in prayer and in the Word as a group.  Several came from as far as Mumbai.  The fellowship was very special and it was very good to hear the wonderful successes as well as share in the heartaches they have lived. The students had several open forums where they could ask questions of those in the ministry specific questions.  Pictured below, the alumni received a new GBC mug!

Let’s focus for just one reading minute on three GBC alumni and their ministries: Alpesh, class of 2004, has planted 12 churches, and is pastoring three, Rajnikant, class of 2004, has planted 17 churches, and is pastoring five, and then Ratilal, pictured below, class of 2006, who has planted 14 churches and is pastoring seven. Our alumni are ministering in over 18 tribal areas in remote areas of India. Each month, hundreds come to faith in Christ as a direct result of the ministry and influence of the training received at Grace Bible College.  We give God the glory for His faithfulness in their lives!

The training of the national continues to be our focus, and we are seeing the Lord use these alumni students for the glory of the Lord.  Thank you for investing in the lives of the students at GBC both past and present.  We will continue to share more updates on our GBC alumni in the months ahead.

New Van Dedicated at Grace Bible College

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It was a very special day when the brand new 13 passenger van, driven by IM CEO John Cook turned into the drive and through the gate of the GBC campus.  In a few minutes, it was off again, this time full of the boys of the school…next it was the girls’ turn…both time the students were singing at the top of their voices praise songs! We held a special time of prayer and dedication of the van together.

New GBC Van Dedication

This is an amazing gift from the Lord and from our IM partners who generously gave funds last December for this much-needed van that will be used to help in the training of young men and women at Grace Bible College. Thank you so very much; you know who you are, and we praise God together with you and with Principal Pramod Tantarpale.

  • GBC girl students riding in the new van
  • John Cook, Principal Pramod Tantarpale and academic dean Sanjay Satyawan

Refugees Given Aid Through Iraq Relief Fund

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Last month in Iraq over 60 refugee families received food packets as a result of your generous ongoing donations to the Iraq Relief Fund.  These are families who do not have children, therefore, are ineligible to receive aid from our Child Sponsorship Program. We were also able to assist with medications and heaters.  Please consider a generous gift to this fund, as it was all used last month.  Any gifts given to this fund are used directly to bring relief to refugees through our partnerships with local churches. 

Pastor Mike Lundberg hands a food package to a young father

US Pastors Share Firsthand Impressions of Iraq

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By Pastor Mike Lundberg

Church on the Hill, Montrose, CO

I had the privilege of traveling to Iraq with John and Dee Cook from January 14-29, 2019. It was a rewarding, eye-opening and life-changing adventure. We flew in to Erbil and met some of IMI’s Iraq staff. Their warmth, consistency, support and faithfulness contributed to our successful trip.  We met several of the refugee families in Erbil and were deeply touched by their stories of courage and faith in the face of extreme opposition and heartbreak from losing homes, possessions, jobs and worst of all family members. Some of these were internally displaced Iraqis and others were refugees fleeing the war in Syria.  

As a result of their plight, my wife and I have begun sponsoring a young Syrian girl in IMI’s child refugee sponsorship program. Nationals helping IMI in that part of Iraq are making a huge difference as we assisted in the food distribution that was a blessing to the Iraqi families trying to rebuild their homes and community that had been destroyed by ISIS.

We also spent a few days in Baghdad visiting the churches IMI works with there. It was refreshing to hear that all seven of the evangelical churches work together.  Since Christians are such a small minority in that city of nearly 9 million, according to 2016 statistics, their unity was inspiring. I also appreciated their passion for their city, culture and especially for Muslim background believers that were attending their churches. They were learning to love their former enemies in practical ways.  

I was thrilled to see God working through faithful Iraqi nationals and IMI.  As one Iraqi pastor put it, “Our time is now!”  I believe it is.  God is going to do great things once again in the “Cradle of Civilization.”

By Pastor Jon Campbell

Emanuel Baptist Church, Kinston, NC

My experience in Iraq has and will continue to change me and my worldview for years to come.  Despite great evil, suffering, and oppression, God is building his church through many faithful and joyful believers.  Their faithfulness to the Lord and their joy in the Lord was overwhelming! 

On the other hand, seeing the suffering of the refugees first-hand was also overwhelming.  So many people who are in desperate need of the necessities of life.  I came away impressed with the passionate commitment of Indigenous Ministries and their whole staff to be personally involved in helping refugee families who have lost virtually everything! I saw the hope that the work of IM is building into people through the generosity of so many people through the grace of God.  

By Pastor Ken Ford

Alton Bible Church, Lowell, MI

Words fail me to effectively communicate the situation I observed recently in Iraq.  The great need, the deep pain, the abounding opportunity, the astounding work of God in the midst of it all.  People literally being sustained by the food distributed through IM child sponsorships and the Iraq Relief Project.  People holding on knowing someone far away cares enough to love and support them.  Numerous testimonies of those who, through the effective ministry of IM, have come to Christ during this time of crisis.  There is so much need I urge you to give more than you think you can.  I wish I could express to you the delight to my soul to worship together with those who are the fruit of these labors.   I have seen the need as well as the meaningful and effective ministry of IM—they are making a real difference with your partnership.  Thank you for being a part of this special ministry and please encourage others to join in this great work.  

    Christmas in Iraq

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    Your word, Lord, is eternal;  it stands firm in the heavens. 

    Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Psalms 119:89, 90

    In December, the Iraq IM Team held three Christmas parties for the refugee children you sponsor. They also gave out these fluffy animals to each of the children with Scriptures in their own language on a solar powered player. The kids had a wonderful time and were really excited to receive their gifts!

    The children can now listen to Bible stories set to music. So many of them tell our team they go to sleep at night with their fluffy friend. 

    Thank you for helping these families have a special Christmas!  

    The kids in these pics are in the Iraq Refugee Child Sponsorship Program. Special thanks to our wonderful and talented Smile Team, top, who performed great skits, songs and shared Christ with the kids. Please continue to pray for this vital ministry.  

    Church Building for Egyptian Church Plant

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    Please be in prayer for one of our church plants in Egypt which has received permission from the Department of Security and the Federal Government to build a church building on land that has been purchased through gifts to Indigenous Ministries. The next steps will be to raise funding for the building.  Would you begin praying with us for this process as they identify the amount that will be?  Thank you.

    Year End Greatest Need Fund

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    As 2018 draws to a close, our hearts overflow with thankfulness to the Lord for an unprecedented year marked with growth, challenges and successes. We simply could not do this without you, our prayer and financial partners. For the past two months we have detailed the $130,000 year end fund goal of which $46,500 has been received. Would you consider a generous gift to “The Greatest Need” before the end of the year? Your year end gift, no matter what size, is a significant part of our ability to continue to effectively reach nationals with the Gospel. Thank you and may God bless you.

    Iraq Update

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    The UNHCR’s figures take the world’s refugee numbers to a staggering 22.5 million. Five million souls have left Syria after seven years of a civil war. One of the areas they are attracted to is northern Iraq. IM’s team helps these refugees as well as Iraqi refugees in Kurdistan and outside of Mosul.

    The impact of food distributions in an area where unemployment is 55-59% is vital for families who struggle for stability. School supplies for the children helps to lift burdens from over-taxed parents.

    In November, John and Dee Cook joined our Iraq team for a food distribution outside Mosul. As families arrived, parents were visited with, food packets given and to the kids’ surprise and delight, a Christmas craft awaited their small hands; one for themselves, and one for their sponsor. Even Spider-Man (below) showed up and had a great time making a crèche!

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    With the growth over the last year of this Refugee Child Sponsorship Program, we are delighted to welcome three new team members. Their work with logistics, Bible studies and keeping track of the families has already been a huge asset! Enjoy the pics from this memorable day, and thank you for your continued prayers and financial partnership which the Lord is using. Hundreds more children are waiting sponsorship. If you feel the Lord leading you to become a sponsor like some of our sponsors below, welcome! Visit our website, IndigenousMinistries.org, on the right click “Sponsor a Child.” You and your family are not going out to McDonalds for one time can help feed a family for two months. Wow, that’s impactful. $39/month per child. Thank you.

    As of Dec. 1, 2018:

    Refugee kids in program: 242

    Kids sponsored: 220

     

    The local, national church is the heart of our ministry. Left, John spoke last month in Kurdistan, and as a result of the pastor’s ministry and the Word shared, 28 indicated a decision for Christ. They will be followed up with through the local church pastor and teams. Right, Dee held two women’s meetings, one in a refugee camp and one in the church; both were packed. Thank you for your partnership.  Please continue to pray for Pastor Sabre, the church and our IM team members.