"My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else." That was Paul's passion, and it continues to be our focus here at Within Reach Global. We are going where there is no path and blazing new trails for the kingdom of God!
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WITHIN REACH GLOBAL NEWSLETTER | AUGUST 2013
Dear Dear supporters and friends,
We are excited to share with you how Within Reach Global is becoming indigenous and local led!
That's always been our passion: to "work ourselves out of a job" by pioneering missional outreaches, then giving them away to local leaders whom we have raised up. Check out this blog about How Within Reach Global is doing.
But that does not mean we have nothing to do anymore! The reality is that two thirds of the world have yet to hear and/or understand who Jesus is. The task remains: to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far reaches of the world where his name is not yet known.
"I thought it reasonable that I should seek the work where the work was the most abundant and the workers fewest." - Scottish missionay James Gilmour on why he went to Mongolia
Rise of the Underground Chinese Church
Our 13 local underground Chinese missionaries and 8 foreign staff and interns are continuing to grow and expand this ministry through their faithful efforts among unreached people groups and college students.
Not only that, faithful American and international financial supporters have recently been joined by the Chinese underground Church. Last month we hosted a team of 7 Chinese from Northeast China. They traveled to Pilot and 26 Tribes outreach centers to see what God is doing among unengaged people groups.
These Chinese brothers and sisters were inspired to see God's fingerprint evident among the poorest of the poor in their own country. They were burdened. They caught a glimpse of the heart of God, and they want to financially and prayerfully support this ministry from the inside out!
Sister Li, our local missionary, said, "The team got a good taste of the poverty of the area we work in. They were so touched that they donated clothing and brand new shoes for the tribal people we are reaching with the gospel!"
We love to see this growth and expansion of the ministry God gave us. What a joy to see the Chinese Church rising up to take the reigns of reaching those who have never heard of Jesus before.
"Because the team was so generous, there's no need to give this month's ministry expenses," Sister Li continued. "The team gave our local missionary, Brother Li and his family 1,500 Yuan!"
We would like to reiterate, though, that this does not mean the ministry is fully funded. When we recognize incredible needs, we simply step forward in faith to financially support reaching these tribal people and college students, with or without the cash. Your faithful donations are very much appreciated, and your giving goes a long way to impact people and bring Jesus to communities who have never heard of him before.
You can continue to make donations here.
Tribal Survey at The Bridge
There are over 100,000 college students at The Bridge outreach center. With China's urban migration plan to bring the rural countryside population to the big cities, millions are flooding to the bursting megatropolises. They are looking for a better life, cash flow, educational opportunities, and searching for truth.
We are passionate about bringing the truth to these young people. So what are we doing about it?
We recently conducted a survey of the 8 universities in The Bridge area, where 100,000 college students live and study. We found some incredible information. Unreached people groups are now coming to us! For years, we bused, trained, took hand-held tractors and dump trucks to unreached and unengaged people groups. Today, young people in rural villages are scarce, so we've rethought our strategy.
We found that there are 26 ethnic minorities living and studying in The Bridge region. Many of these tribes are unreached people groups. We are intentionally reaching out to these young people, inviting them to our exciting English Corners and Camps, and introducing them to Jesus.
"After one of our recent Discipleship Dinner's, one of the students texted us while on her way to her hometown," our foreign staff said. "She told us that when she returns to school in September, she will accept and follow Jesus!"
Exciting news! We love to hear of lives being transformed by the power of the gospel! Thank you for your continued prayers and support for Within Reach Global. We want to remind you that you are helping bring light and life to unreached young people with us.
"If we wait till we run no risk, the gospel will never be introduced into the interior." - David Lingstone
Recent Newsletters
Miss our recent newsletters? We want you to know what's happening with the money you invest and the prayers you pray. You are making a difference! Catch up here: Within Reach Global newsletter archive.
Prayer Requests
Over the many years we have lived and ministered in Southeast Asia, we have become convinced of the power of prayer for breakthrough, protection and guidance. Will you continue to lift us up as we lead the ministry of Within Reach Global? We covet your prayers.
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Pray for the personal finances we need to be effective on the mission field.
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Pray for wisdom as we study Thai. Pray also for the relationships we are building with the locals as we minister in Thailand.
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Pray for strength, encouragement and protection for our local missionaries as they pioneer new areas with the gospel. They are trailblazers who are not strangers to persecution. They need your covering.
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Pray for the hundreds of college students we are reaching at our English Corners. Pray for open hearts and true transformation as they learn who they are in Christ.
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Pray for a church or churches to catch the vision to fully fund The Bridge, our newest outreach center among 100,000 college students.
Thank you so much for keeping this ministry close to your heart and in your prayers. Thank you for your continued financial support. We cannot continue to reach unreached peoples without your help. This is an exciting time, and we are thankful that you are on board with us.
You can continue to give through Paypal or credit card with the buttons below, and by sending your checks to our Stateside address.
May you continue to be blessed to be a blessing!
David and Lorna Joannes
Within Reach Global
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