Global Outreach Foundation
PO Box.2190 Abbotsford BC V2T 3X8
Now His birth was on this wise – And the Word became flesh…
Matt.1:18. Jn. 1:14.
Dear Missions Partner,
With hearts full of praise and thankfulness to God, we approach one of the greatest events on the Christian calendar – Jesus the Saviour’s birth! The Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream and said: “…call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins”. Matt.1:21. At the beginning of Christ’s ministry, as He approached John the Baptist before His baptism in Jordan; John declared: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. Jn. 1:29.
The hope of the world, your hope and mine, can and should be in Jesus Christ alone. Christ declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life…” Jn. 14:6. (My emphasis) He did not say, I am a way a truth and a life. Peter, standing up with the disciples at the coming of the Holy Spirit, said: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. Act.4:12. This synopsis presents the basis of Christ’s redemptive work for those who would believe. Celebrate the event of His birth with a personal relationship through faith alone, by acknowledging Him as Saviour and Lord. In so doing, we will find rest in Him, “…and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God”. Ron.5:1.
With these opening thoughts, I also welcome the much wider readership of these letters, those who have for over twenty-five years, through our Globalcanada.org website, read these comments tens of thousands of times. You also are loved and in our prayers.
2019 has been packed with the usual ministry and the un-usual events as well. Wherever we have ministered, the hand of God has been mightily at work in lives. The team spirit of you who stand strong with us, encourages and strengthens us at every stage of ministry. Your love and prayers are sensed as we press on with the daily schedules. The depth and width of your prayer coverage is thrilling. Global’s network of prayer warriors reaches around the world 24/7. Every day of the year faithful intercessors are praying. Each day is also covered by many warriors praying, many levels deep. This firm commitment on your part is what ‘opens the windows of heaven’ on this ministry. Thank you!
Ministry project continue to stretch us. Preaching and teaching, administrating and writing, prayer and counselling all fill the ‘planner’ Then the phone calls, emails or texts, or a pleading pastor in a rural village, saying: “pastor, we need this church renovation”. Or a new assembly building foundation to be poured, or a roof ready to finish. So many stages, so many needs, and all for the extension of His kingdom. And as part of the team, you continue to make it happen.
In addition to seven church plants (at present) in various stages of construction, each requiring major plumbing, electrical, cement or brickwork; others need pulpits, seating, painting and a myriad of other finishing detail. Any part you could play in helping with any of these items would be a real blessing to the National leadership and pastors. Your donation through Global Outreach can then flow directly tyo our Registered Society overseas and be disbursed with integrity.
Another major project awaiting funding is a Bible College. This land is owned, and a beautiful building completed. The main need is only to find the reasonable and reachable monthly budget to cover teaching, some fees and administration cost for a few months per year. This is a desperate need. We are planting churches that need pastors and workers. The college facility will answer that need. Perhaps a western businessman or two or three partnering on an on-going project would be God’s provision for this need. Prayer partners, please add these needs to your list. The work is so vast, and the need is so great. If you feel led to stand with us for these needs, and are in a position to help a little to let the ministries finish the year end strong going into 2020, please do so before Dec.31.
One of our key National leaders and Board member, Pastor Romano, recently included this encouragement in an email. We have known Romano from a very young man. His father was one of our lead pastors whom we met in the early days on the field. Romano is married with a fine young son. We share his devotional with you here, for your encouragement too:
Pastor John and Sister Shirley
It is so wonderful to be able to be involved in blessing those who spread the word. Romans 10:15 quotes Isaiah 52:7 and says, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
As I was meditating on this scripture some days ago, I was pondering on why the writer talks about beautiful feet. In middle eastern cultures feet are considered unclean so why would the writer call them beautiful? Is it because they were clean? However, as I continued to ponder I understood that it is not ornamental beauty but the beauty of the task that these feet perform. It specifically talks about a category of people who have beautiful feet and that is those who “preach the Gospel” and therefore I came to the conclusion that its not only because these feet have been cleansed but also because the feet do beautiful work of taking those who spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth so that they can do the job of reaching the ends of the earth with the Gospel for Christ. It is so wonderful to be able to be involved in blessing those who spread the word.
Gospel poverty is the worst kind of poverty and Abraham Sevana is working to eradicate this kind of poverty completely, and I am humbled that you have appointed me to be of service in this area, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity.
Shirley and I are presently in Canada probably until February. I have had some medical issues (not serious) and do not wish to leave for Asia, likely via the UK until we are comfortable to travel again. You may feel free to connect with us while hear. Our local mobile number is the same and emails are unchanged as: johnabraham@shaw.ca and shirleyabraham@shaw.ca
From our home to yours at this blessed time, we wish you and yours a happy, healthy and favoured Christmas and New Year.
Thank you for being a vital praying partner of this team.
We love you in the Lord Jesus
For Global Outreach
John & Shirley Abraham 191219