Archive - February 2018

1
3 Reasons Why You Should Pack Your Bags for North Africa
2
She Gave Up Her Parents — and She’s Not Sorry
3
A Suicidal Mom and the Bully Who Reached Her
4
Refugees in Christ: A Lent Guide
5
Children Freed from Sex and Alcohol
6
Combating Spiritual Corruption in Africa [February Prayer Focus]

3 Reasons Why You Should Pack Your Bags for North Africa

Mosque
The Launch Intensive gives you two weeks to explore missions, learn how to explore new cultures and seek God's will on your missionary journey!

What can two weeks in North Africa teach you about engaging with cultures, sharing the Gospel and making a long-term commitment to missions? Probably way more than you’d expect — if those two weeks are part of the Launch Intensive program. We asked three Launch Intensive alumni to share what God did through their experiences and why other aspiring missionaries should check it out. 1. You get to share the Gospel. One of my greatest joys from our time in North Africa was getting to share with our host mom about God’s grace, and about how we do good works…

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She Gave Up Her Parents — and She’s Not Sorry

Bible college
When Liyana enrolled in Bible college, her mom kicked her out of the house. But that didn't stop her from pursuing her missionary calling. Photo by TEAM

When Liyana* decided to go to Bible college, she knew her ancestor-worshipping father probably wouldn’t take it well. But she didn’t expect her Christian mother to disapprove. She certainly didn’t expect to be kicked out of the house! In a flash, she went from living in a nice neighborhood to worrying about having bus money — or running water. All that, just because she wanted to share the Gospel with her fellow South Africans. Raised in Two Religions Liyana grew up between two different spiritual worlds. Her mother came from a strong Christian background. Her father came from Zionism —…

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A Suicidal Mom and the Bully Who Reached Her

suicidal
When Elina told her religious leader she was going to kill herself, he said: I don't have time for you. Photo by TEAM

As the phone rang on the other end, Elina* didn’t know what to expect. How would her Hindu priest react when she told him she was planning to take her own life? That she was at the end of her rope? That even the thought of her three kids wasn’t enough to stop her? She longed for words of comfort and direction. Instead, the priest promptly told her he was too busy to deal with her. So when her friend had suggested Elina call their Christian pastor before doing anything, she had nothing to lose. But Simon Kumaresal is no…

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Refugees in Christ: A Lent Guide

Lent
Lent is a season rich in remembrance. This year, join us as we reflect on the refugee crisis and our ultimate hope of salvation through Christ. Photo by TEAM

Lent is a season rich in imagery. As we reflect on the life and ministry of Christ, and remember His suffering and resurrection, we are reminded of the darkness that pervades our world, as well as the hope of new creation. We remember what we have lost to a world broken because of sin. We remember how, before Jesus made a way, we were foreigners to the family of Christ. We remember how in the most broken of circumstances, God continues to move in and through His people. As we reflect on all this, may another picture come to mind:…

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Children Freed from Sex and Alcohol

Swaziland
Superrose wanted to share the Gospel in her native country of Swaziland, but she couldn't afford Bible college and ministry training... without friends like you. Photo by TEAM

In a remote Swaziland community, kids openly skip school, drink alcohol and ask each other for sex — by the age of 8 years old. Their parents are no better off. Jobs are scarce, and adults are desperate to escape the hopelessness they feel. But that only compounds the problem. Many parents can’t provide for their families because they’ve spent their money buying sex and marijuana. It’s no wonder that by the time Ayize turned 16, she was already a mother and a dropout. She was hopeless . . . until she met a woman named Superrose. Training Swazis to Reach Swazis…

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Combating Spiritual Corruption in Africa [February Prayer Focus]

Bible schools
Spiritual deprivation and corruption run rampant in southern Africa. Keep reading to see how you can help fight this deprivation by praying for Gospel-centered discipleship among southern African nationals. Photo by TEAM

“The greatest need in Africa is for good leaders,” says Eric Binion, a TEAM missionary to South Africa. Many southern Africans claim to be Christians but if you look closer, their faith is often mixed with traditional animistic religion. Others fall into churches that preach nothing but the prosperity gospel. As a result, spiritual deprivation and corruption run rampant. That’s why Bible colleges and institutes in Swaziland, South Africa and Lesotho are so vital — and why prayers for their success are so important. This month, will you pray with us for the success of healthy, true biblical teachings in…

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