Fruit that Remains

“I’m not afraid of failure; I’m afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.”

—William Carey, the father of modern missions

 

The heartbeat of Alpha Ministries is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with every unreached man, woman and child. As Scripture asks, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14 NKJV).

Our primary focus is the “10/40 Window,” an area stretching from North Africa to China that extends from latitudes 10° to 40° north of the equator. More than 3.2 billion people live in that region and 95% of them do not know Jesus. With the help of caring people like you, Alpha Ministries goes to these unreached areas, sharing the Good News, training and equipping ministers, and planting churches where no church exists.

I am amazed when I talk to the people attending crowded conferences in foreign lands. I meet hundreds of them who have come to know Jesus Christ because of the labor of a native frontline messenger. The work of these dedicated men and their families is yielding much fruit…fruit that remains! I am overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving whenever I encounter a young missionary in such meetings who tells me, “I follow God because you helped my father follow God.”

If you know me, you know that I rejoice whenever I see a young man or young woman who has come to follow Jesus into freedom—out of the bondage of sin. But when I hear that the fruit of sharing the Good News and training one man to reach villages in his region has led to his household coming to Christ, as well as hundreds of people around him, I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. The men and women we train mature and pass on that knowledge to younger generations and see lifelong effects. The power of God’s Word continues to open doors for our frontline messengers to share the hope of the gospel in a vast array of strategic settings.

Our recent Lanji leadership training conference was a tremendous success with over 1200 people in attendance—twice the number they were prepared to host. More than 100 people were prepared to be baptized as a result of this conference. Many made commitments to become a VM1000 member to help us reach our goal to minister to 100,000 new villages. Over 60 people engaged in leadership development.

Friend, God moves in mysterious ways and His ways are always perfect. God does not send everyone to the mission field, but everyone can partner in the work of missions in one way or another. Thank you for faithfully supporting missions by praying, sending and perhaps even going. May God continue to make His calling strong and sure in your life and sustain the great work that He has placed in our humble hands. We are grateful to be used in His harvest fields to reach the unreached of the world!

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”
― Abraham Kuyper

For Those Who Believe

For Those Who Believe…

The statistics are clear. We’ve heard the appalling truth and have been made aware of the heart wrenching accounts of men, women, and children who have been forced to suffer through atrocities both blatant and subtle simply for living out their lives as followers of Jesus Christ. We’ve attended the church services where missionaries have come and expounded upon the issues they face on the frontline on a daily basis where their friends and communities are threatened with attack and fear tactics. We’ve seen the Facebook links shared where new evidences of systematic efforts to silence Christians by major world governments have been made apparent as an attempt to silence Christians through means of discrimination, neglect, torture, and even death. For those of you who believe in Jesus Christ as your savior, we want to challenge you with a very important question: “So now what?” If you’re anything like us, this may seem like a daunting, overwhelming, and impossible question with which you may be tempted to shy away from answering. We’re thankful that you’ve found yourself at our blog and pray that you leave encouraged, inspired, and prepared to take action.

 For Eternity to Come

When thinking of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, we at Alpha Ministries can’t help but joyfully look to the eternal glory that is to come. Scripture reminds us in the book of Revelation that, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” While we can look around and daily experience the heartache, trials, and pain of our fallen world, we are also able to look to God’s word and find comfort in the fact that this life is a prologue, merely introducing the eternal story of glory, freedom, and perfect peace that is to come. While abundance in following Christ is most certainly found on this side of Heaven, and our eternal security in no way excuses us from striving for justice now, we are encouraging you to take this season to pause and express our gratitude to God for the place that He is preparing for us. With this mindset now at the forefront of our thoughts, we can actively engage and challenge ourselves with how we can step in and take action on behalf of our vulnerable brothers and sisters.

Stay Informed

While this idea of staying informed as a way to come alongside Christians facing persecution seems obvious and minimal, we truly cannot overemphasize how important it is. Imagine having your human rights stripped from you, losing your home, and being violently assaulted all because of your faith and the world not having any idea of what was happening to you. The thought is intolerable! By taking the first step to willingly invest in being in “the know” regarding issues that the global church faces in hostile places around the world, you are making real progress in real intervention happening on behalf of those who desperately need it. We highly recommend visiting https://www.persecution.comfor up-to-date news and resources regarding Christian persecution. You can also follow along with our blog, ministry, and subscribe to our newsletter!

Pray Earnestly

Even more so than staying informed, lifting up those in need through diligent prayer is an active form of intercession that persecuted men and women treasure and are always quick to ask for. While many of us are unable to spare additional financial resources, earnest prayer is a sacrifice of what you are able to give that honors God and makes true difference for those in dire situations. Scripture is clear regarding the way God views our combined efforts as believers in prayer and intercession in Matthew chapter 18 when it says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Exile from their communities, scorn from their families, and even threats of death from their governments are all daily battles that persecuted Christians around the world face and are active prayers points that you can refer to.

 

Advocate

We know to stay informed and to diligently be praying for those facing persecution around the world, but what else can be done? While actively going and serving these vulnerable people groups directly isn’t always a viable option, you can support those who are through vigorously advocating! Without being informed, how can anyone give to help? By speaking at your church, sharing what you know with your friends and family, and allowing the issue to not be locked away in your mind, you will be able to raise awareness, stir hearts, and create a lasting change. There is always more to say in this conversation, and by dedicating time to actively engage and advocate for those who can’t for themselves, you are playing a crucial role in impacting their lives. Scripture tells us in the book of Proverbs to ““Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” We at Alpha Ministries take this mandate seriously, and encourage you to do the same!

 

For those of us who believe and have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we have a responsibility to stay informed, pray without ceasing, and advocate on behalf of those who are unable to defend themselves. While we may not always be able to lend over our time and resources, there are active responses we can diligently be engaging in on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world. For more information, subscribe to our newsletter and be on the lookout for our continuing blog posts!

New Year // New Reflections

 

Happy New Year!!!

 

For us at Alpha Ministries, 2018 was a year covered by the fingerprints of God and one that was immersed deeply into His sovereign plan of provision and grace for our lives. Over the course of the past 12 months, we as an organization have experienced our fair share of highs, lows, valleys, and mountain tops and are certain that all of you reading this have as well. Yet we know that in every second of the past year, God has orchestrated the awe inspiring successes along with the unplanned (and often unwelcomed) setbacks. At the end of 2018, we have made it a point to look back, take some substantial time to reflect, and to set our expectations high on all that God has in store for 2019! We’d like to share with you some of the incredible victories we have experienced this year through the various ministries and programs we have in place around the world while also providing you with some possible goals you may want to take on for yourself. We’re excited you’ve found your way here to our blog and hope that you leave encouraged and excited for a new year!

 

The Statistics…

 

2018 was a huge success concerning the “numbers” produced through our different projects and ministries. While we understand at a fundamental level that our identity and effectiveness does not lie solely in the large numbers based on production, we praise God for the positive results we’ve experienced and want to share with you, our faithful partners, the incredible impact that has been made!

 

In 2018…

 

  • The IMPACT conferences that were held equipped 7,271 Frontline Messengers and Christian leaders for more effective evangelism.

 

  • A total of 51,690 individuals heard the gospel during a one-on-one encounter.

 

  • 8,768 home groups are actively in operation.

 

  • 1,200 needy children are being provided monthly care and nurture through believers care.

 

  • A total of 37,721 children attend CBC (Children’s Bible Class) across Burma, Nepal and India.

 

  • A total of 119,823 tracts, gospel portions, and other pieces of evangelistic literature were distributed.

 

  • A total of 31,800 Bibles were given to individuals who were eager to read the scriptures in their own language.

 

  • A total of 35,643 New Testaments were distributed to seeking hearts.

 

  • A total of 14,014 people made decisions for Christ through various outreach programs.

 

  • A total of 2,851 people were baptized by Alpha Churches in Asia.

 

  • A total of 1,398 new villages were reached and church planting/stations were established.

 

  • 76 elderly senior saints received support, which included food, support and other medical help.

 

  • 286 jackets for children were distributed.

 

  • 15 families that suffered because of persecution were relocated in 2018, majority of them were in partnership with Voice of the Martyrs.

 

  • 19 children received educational scholarships to secondary schools and college for further studies.

 

  • 12 living clean water at each well.

 

  • 14 church buildings were constructed.

 

  • 515 people attended the Church Based Bible Institute.

 

  • 736 Bible in a Backpack

 

  • 274 graduated from M28 training

 

  • 610 pastors were given care packages.

 

  • 800 families received relief aid during floods and other natural calamities in Burma and India.

 

  • 600 helmets were distributed

 

  • 97 Small battery operated PA system

 

  • 2 bathrooms were constructed through “A Bathroom for every family”

 

  • 1000 M28 Pastors Library were distributed

 

  • 4vehicles were given to frontline workers

 

  • 3 sewing machines given through VITAL project.

 

  • 64 bicycles and 55 motorcycles were given to frontline Messengers

 

  • Thousands upon Thousands of people received clean drinking water through 40“Water Huts” located in different regions of North India during summer’s intense heat droughts where no water was available.

 

In 2019…

 

As we are finishing off this first week of 2019, we at Alpha Ministries are waiting expectantly for all that God will do in the new year. While we trust in Him fully to provide for our needs and to continue his transforming work within us, we still believe it to be necessary to set personal goals for ourselves that are focused on growing and becoming more and more like the people God has called us to be! As you continue to ponder on your new year goals, we’d like to share with you two character traits you may want to consider growing within yourself this new year!

 

Become A Listener

One of the greatest ways that we as followers of Christ can convey to a lost and hurting world that they have intrinsic value to God is by taking the time to deeply listen to them. Can you a recall a time in your life when, during a season of suffering or heartache of your own, you felt genuinely listened to as you worked hard to articulate your thoughts? The experience was one that we are sure deeply ministered to your soul. Throughout Jesus’s ministry, he regularly took the time to stop and listen to the outcasts of society and those down and out in their difficult circumstances. In Mark 10, Jesus takes the time to listen to the blind man, Bartimaeus, while in Jericho. Locals of the area at the time scorned Bartimaeus for reaching out to Christ. Scripture says, “Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Mark 10: 49-52

Can you imagine the feeling Bartimaeus must have had that day? While we may not be able to give the blind back their sight, we do have the opportunity to listen to our neighbors, our coworkers, and our family members. Rather than idly thinking on what we will say to them next in a conversation, we can pause, hear out those who come to us for compassion, and then hear them fully. Watch and see the power behind the ministry of becoming a good listener can do.

 

Become A Giver

Let’s be clear, we completely understand that starting off a new year with a spirit of giving is not always our first response after spending so much of our resources over the holiday season. Coming out of what seems like an entire month of lavish giving, stricter budgets and new year savings plans are often on the forefront of our minds. While the temptation to cut back on our charitable giving is often in full force during the month of January, we want to encourage you to not let up! Scripture tells us, in the book Matthew, “(Jesus said) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We at Alpha Ministries deeply believe that we cannot out-give God. Over the years, we have seen the incredible provision of God as we choose to step out in faith and give even when our budgets and bank accounts may advise otherwise.

As we continue to move full-steam ahead into 2019, we ask that you consider how you can be a part of the incredible work God is doing around the world! We look expectantly to all that God has in store for you this new year and can’t wait to join you in discovering more of His faithfulness in 2019.