A Friend to the Stranger | the Reach December 2021

by | May 26, 2022 | Biblical/Missional

Dear friends,

I had just shifted into high gear, speed-walking pace coming off my plane a couple of months ago in the Indianapolis Airport. I visualized the familiar path to baggage claim, my rental car and the drive across town. Suddenly that mental imaging was slapped away. Rounding a corner, I walked into a wall of densely clustered people, all dressed in dark clothing clogging up the hallway. Surprised, I stepped back to figure out what this jarring “interruption” was all about. 

They seemed to be a disoriented large tour group following three people holding up large placards to lead their way. Then I realized what I had bumped into. This group of over 50 people were Afghan families – mothers carrying babies, toddlers holding hands with the elderly,  families arriving to be brought to Camp Atterbury, the nearby military base outside of Indianapolis where they would join thousands of other displaced Afghans. There are seven other bases in the U.S. where collectively over 73 thousand Afghans have been received in the last few months and wait to be processed for resettlement.

The emotion of the moment stunned me. I wondered what these visibly bewildered people must be feeling and experiencing. Their clothing and the small bags they carried represented all of their earthly belongings. But their faces and shoulders carried much more weight. I thought of their loss of home, country, culture, friends, family, everything familiar, as they wandered around an unfamiliar airport in a strange land. I walked alongside them, with just enough time to pray, “Lord, I pray your grace, mercy, peace, truth and love over these dear ones. May their time in this country mark the time they came to know you.” And then, they were led down a secure hallway and gone.

That scene has continued to jarr and interrupt me, coming to mind again and again the last few weeks during this Advent season as I’ve contemplated the Christmas story so familiar to us.

The Christmas story, where Mary and Joseph sojourned to Bethlehem, over tough terrain, only to find themselves in a city that wasn’t theirs, separated from home, family, friends, and comfort. Mary pregnant, and ready to give birth, finding themselves in a generous, but far from ideal place of refuge, in a barn that was probably more like a cold, rocky cave. This wondrous event and miraculous moment, was followed later by another journey, this time of escape into a foreign land, fleeing terror and death at the hand of King Herod.

Jesus knows intimately what it is to be the displaced and the resettler, the immigrant and the welcomer, the guest and the Host. God calls us as his followers to be a friend to the stranger and to show hospitality.  

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Hebrews 13:1-2 

Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation for our coming King. It’s a time to be reminded of who has called us. It’s a time to be reminded of the family he graciously welcomed us into and invites all to. May our hearts, minds, prayers, and homes be filled with a loving hospitality for those strangers, those families, who have yet to enter the family of God.

Grace, Peace, and Merry Advent,

Gabriel de Guia
EPC World Outreach 
Executive Director

Prayers of the Saints | the Reach October 2021

by | Nov 4, 2021 | Biblical/Missional, Church Partnership, Field Story

“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God and they shall reign on the earth.”
-Revelation 5:8-9

Dear friends,

Twenty years ago, the EPC and EPC World Outreach declared the Malay people and Malaysia to be a “designated field” – meaning we, as a denomination, were going to work hard at seeing Jesus’ church established among the 20+ million unreached Malay peoples .
 

The first ten years were a struggle; a team was formed, laborers were raised up and sent, but struggle and suffering led to an exhaustion of commitment and resources to the Malay people. In our lowest point, there was just one family remaining in Malaysia, and they were thinking of giving up….

During this time, the Engage 2025 initiative was launched and by 2012, plans were made for the World Outreach team and the Malay people to become an Engage 2025 project; in God’s providence, the Engage 2025 focus through the presbytery provided a means for the EPC to shore up our commitment to the Malay people. God began to move among us. He called laborers and by 2014, the WO team became one of the largest planting teams in Southeast Asia.

When the WO team began processing how to move toward seeing the multiplication of disciples, an observation was made: “there has never been a movement to Christ without a preceding extraordinary prayer movement.” We asked ourselves, “has Malaysia and the Malay people ever had a prayer movement?” The answer? No.

Our course of action became apparent: create an extraordinary prayer movement. We increased our own personal prayer times, we prayed corporately as a team every month, and started a city-wide prayer meeting for all who shared our heart for the Malay people.

As God was moving among us, he was also moving hearts within World Outreach and the EPC. In 2016, WO declared a year of prayer for breakthrough among the Malay people. One hundred forty-nine people committed to pray for the Malay at least once a week for the whole year. Following that initial General Assembly, four additional years were designated by World Outreach at GA as years to pray for breakthrough among the Malay.

At the same time, God was moving in Malaysia and inspiring Pastor Raymond Koh and others to mobilize prayer and evangelism among the thousands of Malaysian minority Christians in the country. The vision was to believe God would launch disciple making movements in each of the fifty-two zones of Malaysia within the next five years: the 525 prayer initiative.

We have witnessed an incredible amount of prayer on behalf of the Malay people. Yet, for all of this extraordinary prayer, the breakthrough still tarries. We have seen green shoots – some Malays have begun to follow Christ, but nothing like we envision when we think about Revelation 5:9 and 7:9.  Did we fail? 

Or does God plan to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20)? Perhaps the bowls we see in Revelation 5 and 8 represent our prayers for the Malay and we are just now reaching our tipping point?  Stay tuned and keep praying for breakthrough among the Malay people.  Believe God’s promises and His word, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9).  The best is yet to come… 

The Malay people, like all people, are one of the tribes  / languages / peoples / nations bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and will join us in the great multitude standing before the throne of God.  How many will be there?  Only God knows, but with over 20 million Malay peoples presently scattered over, South Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Indonesia we have to believe it will be millions.
 
Written by “J” a team leader in Southeast Asia.

Community Life

Malay Prayer Card

If you feel called to pray for the Malay of Malaysia, or are interested in learning more, take a look at our prayer card. We would be happy to send these cards to you to pass out to friends and church members, as well. Simply email us here.

PRAY

Foundations of Prayer

Listen to audio lectures by J. Edwin Orr which give us a key understanding to what precedes church planting movement activity.

LISTEN

PRK 555 Prayer App

Download (iOS & Android) this daily prayer guide and pray along with thousands of others who are eager to see prayer, revival and the kingdom come and God’s will done among those in South Thailand, Malaysia (East and West), Singapore and Brunei. You may also request a free book copy of the prayer initiative by emailing us. 

READ

Walking With Those Seeking Refuge | the Reach September 2021

by | Oct 12, 2021 | Biblical/Missional, Church Partnership

Dear friends,

It took five long, lonely years before Fatima*, an Afghan mother of five, could finally embrace her husband, Sayyid, again. During their escape from their war-ravaged country, Sayyid was shot in the hip by the border police and unable to make the exhausting journey across Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea. Sarah and Andrew – WO global workers – met and befriended Fatima when she arrived with her children at a camp near their town.

During those five years, the family began to change: feeling the freeing effects of a European culture originally based, in part, on biblical ideas. Sarah has had numerous opportunities to pray with Fatima for the safe return of Sayyid, for healing (both are severe diabetics), and the insurmountable paperwork. In response to life questions from their children, Sarah and Andrew have also furnished them two Bibles in their own language. 

Several weeks ago, after a perfunctory tea and Sayyid stepping out of the room, Fatima boldly proclaimed her opinion that Westerners have better ‘hearts’ than Muslims. Andrew disagreed with her, saying that all hearts are evil apart from God’s saving work. 

The challenge with our ‘cousins’ is to move their eyes away from works and religion to issues of the heart, and free grace in Jesus. For this reason, this conversation was a breakthrough moment for Fatima. 

It is a joy and privilege for Andrew and Sarah to walk alongside Fatima, Sayyid, and their family on their journey of integration into a new culture, but also their journey into an encounter with the triune living God through His people. 

There are many other displaced people who share similar stories. Since 2016, Andrew and Sarah have met and worked primarily with Syrians, Afghans, Iranians, and Iraqis – some of whom have become like family. As the horrific events unfolded in Afghanistan last month, they received a voice message from Fatima saying that her family had spent the whole last week weeping over the destruction of their country and friends and family in harm’s way. 

Please join us in prayer for Fatima and Sayyid, and so many other Afghan families alike. 

*Names changed for security of our workers and those they work with.

Written by WO global workers, A & S, serving with refugees in Europe.

Community Life

Serve Afghan Refugees

We’ve assembled resources for you and your congregation to serve, learn, give, and pray for Afghanistan and Afghan refugees. Click the button below to access this list of resources online. Or click here for a printable pdf.

SERVE

Support A & S

If A and S’s ministry resonates with you, we encourage you to consider supporting them as they serve refugees in Europe. For even more information on their work, please email us.

SUPPORT

WO Webinar

Last month, we were able to host a webinar around the current situation in Afghanistan and how we can respond in our own communities, as followers of Jesus. If you would like access to the webinar, please email us.

LEARN

Caring for Our Afghan Neighbors – Here and Abroad | the Reach August 2021

by | Oct 12, 2021 | Biblical/Missional, Church Partnership

Dear friends,

For many, these days are full of sleepless nights with anxious hearts. Whether it is the constant threat of a virus which much of the world is unprotected from, a disastrous earthquake in Haiti,  wild fires that are unceasing, or the fall of a government and the rise of another,  we recognize that we are experiencing a broken world. At the root of all of the calamities there is also the Christian hope that one day we have One who is making all things right. However, that redeemed Kingdom is not only far off, but also very ever present in the here and now. We are promised that the LORD who does not slumber, who made all of creation and is recreating it in the image of His son, will bend His ear to His people. If you missed it earlier this week, please watch this link for a call to prayer from Dean and Gabriel.  

Additionally, World Outreach wanted to give specific ways for our people to be praying for the situation in Afghanistan. You’ll see those prayer points below from one of our workers who is intimately involved in that region and among those people. We also ask you to join us next week for a zoom meeting to help answer how we respond as followers of Jesus to Afghanistan’s needs and particularly the refugees coming to the US. If you’d like to connect with your Muslim neighbors (including Afghan refugees in your community), we invite you to also join our workshop taking place in September. 

Let us lift our eyes and our mouths to the LORD, for it is in Him that our help comes.

  1. Peace of heart. Too many people are crowding the airport and making rash decisions, including believers albeit they have reason for concern. God is in control and has higher authority than Taliban. 
  2. Relief to internally displaced people. Thousands of Afghans fled their homes to flock to Kabul only to get caught there now but they are without much food, water or money. No one is there to help them that we know about. 
  3. Civil government. God ordains rulers and kings. The new rulers have the task of running a civil government and society that is stable and peaceful. Even if it is along lines we do not prefer, such laws have not stopped the Church in the past nor will it now. 
  4. Protection from fear and boldness of believers. Evacuation is not the best route for every believer nor all Afghans. Looking to the West has become an idol. God is able to protect them and make the Good News to those around them now and protect them even unto death. 
  5. Opportunity for Christian workers to Afghanistan. Once there is order there will be a huge need for humanitarian/Christian aid organizations to return. We worked under them before and will likely do so again.  
  6. God’s Kingdom to come to Afghanistan. There are no human solutions. Not armies, nor money nor training, etc. have been able to change their hearts, the real root of the problem. Only God can do that through Jesus.

Only God | the Reach July 2021

by | Oct 12, 2021 | Biblical/Missional

Dear new friends!

This is my inaugural contribution to the Reach and with just five weeks under my belt as executive director of World Outreach, many “firsts” have taken place surfacing three repeating themes: Thankfulness, Calling, and Together.
 
My first order of business was to attend General Assembly in Memphis, TN last month. My wife, Rachel, and I loved immersing ourselves in a multitude of introductions on stage and off that week. To be physically surrounded by heaven’s ambassadors, those who love the Lord and are passionately committed to building His kingdom drew our hearts to a deeper place of thankfulness, confirmation, and worship. In this age of COVID and clouds of uncertainty constantly hovering, moments to be together are a true gift that we no longer can take for granted. Thank you to Second Presbyterian for hosting so well, the office of the General Assembly staff, and all the volunteers and officers for making our first GA a time of great blessing. A special thanks to the worship team for ushering us onto holy ground, lifting our eyes and hearts to Jesus with profound artful excellence that had Rachel and I wiping tears away every session. With this GA headlined by significant transitions the importance of God’s calling was heavily underscored in my mind, both our calling to follow Jesus and also our calling in how we serve Him. Listening to the many highlighted, divine moments of Jeff Jeremiah’s tenure prompted a recurring echo in me, “Only God.” Only God could know how Jeff’s experiences, gifts and talents would be utilized to meet the needs of the EPC so specifically.
 
Whether it was praising God for His work in and through Jeff, witnessing the vows being taken by Dean Weaver, the commissioning of seven new World Outreach workers, hearing the faith testimony of a new pastor during a “chance” lunch under the tent, or even examining my own calling and presence at GA, the same phrase reverberated again and again, “Only God.” Only God could orchestrate all of this. Only God would call me here. Only God would call all of us to worship and serve together side by side.

Global Huddles
Though we had the privilege of meeting some of our global workers at GA, many could not attend. So two weeks ago Rachel and I had the joy of meeting many more for the first time during July’s “Global Huddle,” a quarterly virtual gathering, where we had a chance to visit face to face by computer. To accommodate our global workers in different time zones we held six Zoom gatherings starting at 6am and ended after 10pm:

  • South Asia
  • Central Asia
  • Middle East & Africa
  • Europe
  • East Asia
  • South East Asia

Listening to the trials and triumphs of our workers serving in sensitive areas of the world fills us with gratitude, awe, and reflexively drops us to our knees in prayer to praise God for what He’s doing and intercede for changes and transformation only He can make.

We continue to be impressed with the ministry and reach World Outreach has had to this point. The quality, depth and wisdom of the people who have made World Outreach what it is today, is a testimony that again, rings the response, “Only God.” Seeking to steward the ministry forward in the best way possible will require a lot of learning for me as a newcomer. Toward that end I openly invite your input. I’m eager to meet with you, pastors and mission leaders, to get to know you, your ministry and how I and World Outreach can serve you best.

I am thrilled to serve together with you toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this new season, to stand together with one spirit and one purpose, and fight together for the faith, which is the Good News.

Grateful to link arms with you,

Gabriel de Guia
Executive Director of World Outreach

 

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”
Philippians 1:27

Community Life

World Outreach at General Assembly

If you missed out on World Outreach events at General Assembly, you can still catch some of them online! Spend some time in the Word with former director, Phil Linton; catch the World Outreach Report to General Assembly; watch the World Outreach Banquet, and listen to the Israel of God Leadership Institute workshop. Email us to receive more information about the global workers appointed there! 

WATCH

Executive Director: Gabriel de Guia

Interested in getting to know World Outreach’s new Executive Director? Check out this article from EPConnection for more information on his past ministry experience, the de Guia family, and the confirmation of God’s call to this position. You can also email us to receive a link to the de Guia’s Network Lunch at General Assembly.

LEARN

Pray for Our Global Workers!

Prayer is one of the most important ways we can support global workers as they share the love of Christ to those that have not heard. If you feel led to pray for our workers, we encourage you to join the EPC World Outreach Missionary Prayer Network (MPN). Click here to learn more about the MPN and sign up to become a prayer intercessor.

PRAY

Afghanistan: Crisis and Opportunity – How Your Church Can Repond

by | Oct 12, 2021 | Biblical/Missional, Church Partnership

Dear friends,

Last week, we were able to host a webinar around the current situation in Afghanistan and how we can respond as followers of Jesus. A big thank you to everyone who was able to register and attend. We’re so grateful for the care and concern shown for our Afghan neighbors, here and abroad, and appreciate your desire to help – both in action and in showing the love of Christ. We have heard from many of you who weren’t able to attend asking about ways to help and pray. To that end, we wanted to make both the webinar and the resources discussed available to our broader World Outreach family. To request the webinar, simply click below to email us. 

Email World Outreach

Psalm 121 reminds us that our God is in control and calls the church to respond in love. Below are resources listing different ways to serve, learn, pray, and give to aid those most impacted by the crisis. We encourage you to prayerfully consider the ways in which you can respond in love.

Resettlement Agencies – There are nine national resettlement agencies and additional local ones. Look up the resettlement agencies in your town or state at the following link. Here is a wonderful video that helps show the power of being part of the Welcome Team that welcomes new refugees. Remember that using google translate can be helpful once serving among new neighbors or using the tarjimly app. 

World Relief Sacramento Area Host Homes –  If you live in Sacramento, you have the valuable opportunity to become a host home and offer a safe place for newly arrived refugees. Click here for more information and to apply.

Advocacy – Advocate for refugees and asylum-seekers, including vulnerable Afghans, by getting in touch with your elected officials. Document Templates are available here! 

WO Connecting with Your Muslim Neighbor Workshop – WO offers a 6-week course for individuals interested in learning how to foster and create meaningful, ongoing relationships with Muslims in your communities or in nearby communities. To learn more about this workshop, and how to register online, click here. 

Seminary Course – A 15-week class titled Perceiving God in Islam and Christianity. The course will be offered online through the Lillias Trotter Center and Wesley Biblical Seminary. We will be considering how vital God’s relational (Trinitarian) nature is to every aspect of our faith. We’ll also compare that with the Islamic view of Allah as a mono-personal god. Please join us in prayer that we will be strengthened and encouraged to share Christ’s gospel with Muslims more effectively.

View and share World Relief’s slides from the webinar. If you have more questions, please feel free to email Heather, with World Relief.

Read Loving Your Muslim Neighbor, a book by EPC WO global workers on how to become compassionate and courageous witnesses to Muslims in your community.

Care for our Afghan neighbors financially by giving to these funds: 

Use the 7 Areas of Prayer for Afghanistan pdf, detailing the many ways we can be praying for our Afghan neighbors, global workers, and the country as a whole, in this time of immense conflict. We encourage you to use this in your individual prayers, with your family, and in your congregations.

2 Corinthians 5:14 reminds us that the love of Christ compels us – in all things – and most assuredly in the care and support we show to our Afghan neighbors. Watch this video to see a loving testament to that call, and consider the ways in which you can show the love of Christ to Afghan refugees through the resources listed above.