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April 2024 - Overseas Missions Newsletter
“The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:43)
Go Forth Ministry just got back from a short-term mission trip, ministering to the Vietnamese people in Taiwan and Vietnam. Altogether, we were a team of six men (among whom was Bradie Ramella, a nineteen-year-old victim of a motorcycle accident, whose life itself is a miracle. Despite having only one leg, he is the most driven, persevering man I know). While overseas, we had the pleasure of ministering in two different ways: preaching and communing at churches in Taiwan, and carrying Bibles into Vietnam for persecuted Christians to read.
In Taiwan, the team was struck, as I was on my first trip, by the fervor, boldness, and strong faith of the believers there. These are people who have left behind everything—their culture, their reputation, and in some cases their families—just to follow Jesus. Their lives have been turned upside-down for Him; and it has given them such joy and courage and peace.
They were encouraged by our presence in their Sunday services. It shows them that they are not alone on this arduous journey following Christ, but together we are one in Him. As we encouraged them through scripture, prayer and fellowship, it dawned on me how beautiful their faith has made them. These are people who stand out because of their newfound purpose and unity in Christ, especially contrasted with a pagan culture.
Not only are these trips encouraging, but they are also convicting. After witnessing the boldness with which my fellow believers worship and offer their all to our King, I am left asking myself: Where is my fervor? Can I give everything, like these brothers and sisters? What will it cost me to go wherever I am called?
Brother Simon led the GFM team carrying Bibles from Cambodia into Vietnam. These Bibles are in the language of the Hmong people, a minority tribal group that lives in Northern Vietnam. Altogether, we brought them 192 Bibles, each of which is read by a whole family. A few of these went with the team back to Taiwan, where Vietnamese churches play host to dozens of Hmong.
What We're Doing Overseas
Brother Barnabas and the Taiwan Vietnamese Church
Brother Barnabas and his wife only have one problem with their ministry: it’s growing too fast! Ever since 2007 when they first arrived in Taiwan, they have been reaching out to Vietnamese immigrants there, teaching and discipling them for Christ. Now they are meeting with over 500 church members, both in-person and through video calls. When I asked about their needs, Barnabas gave me three specifics.
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Need for housing
Support ProjectThe male church members gather on Saturday night for prayer or outreach, eat and sleep together, and hold a church Service the next morning. However, there is need of separate weekend lodging for the female church members, who often cannot attend the Saturday events without a place to stay the night. It would cost about $200 a month to provide this lodging for one of three churches.
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Long-term missionaries
Pray for WorkersWhile Barnabas and his wife are incredible leaders, these churches keep them working all the time without a break. In addition, they wonder what will happen if they “get too old,” as Barnabas put it, and have no one to continue their work. This would be a job either for a long-term missionary, or another young Vietnamese couple, to step up by faith and learn under Barnabas.
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Bible school students
Support a Bible StudentAs the church members return to Vietnam, Barnabas equips them to teach a Bible school program to new believers in their home country. This program has continually grown over the years; Go Forth Ministry now supports 25 Bible school students in Vietnam! The cost for one student attending Bible school is about $1,000 a year.
Brother Barnabas will be visiting Ohio very soon. On May 3rd, we will be hosting him for an evening at LincWay in Dalton to share about his ministry. You can RSVP for this event on Facebook.
Vietnam Tribal Ministries
I recently met with brother John, a longtime partner of Go Forth. His ministry, like the churches in Taiwan, keeps growing. He goes from village to village in Vietnam and Laos, preaching, healing the sick, and planting house churches. This field is so ripe for harvest, and there are many needs, from Bible schooling, to pastor support, to digging wells for fresh drinking water. John wrote this to all of you on February 28:
Learning the word of God is critically needed for church workers. For the reason of security, it is impossible to host Bible courses [in their] villages; therefore it is good for them to attend Bible school...So, I’m writing this letter to ask for your support so that these church workers might attend the Bible school. Knowledge of God’s word is very important for church workers in their work to win souls for God.
For the glory of God, your investment in the Kingdom of God through the tribal ministry would be particularly valued. I would be very grateful if you get involved in supporting church workers to attend Bible School.
May God bless you.
There is another pastor (who will remain unnamed) working in a leper colony in Northern Vietnam. He works day and night caring for the sick, healing them, and teaching them about Jesus. For about $5,000, Go Forth is able to provide half a year’s support to this pastor and village. This goes toward food, shelter, and clothing.
Above: the GFM team with pastors in Vietnam. Their faces are blocked out to protect their identities.
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P.O. Box 626
Dalton, OH 44618
330-462-1029
goforthministry@gmail.com
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