The Middle East. Central Asia AND

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(1)Spring 2021. The Middle East AND Central Asia. GOD WORKS POWERFULLY THROUGH HARVEST IRAN MINISTRIES CENTRAL ASIAN MISSIONARIES SPREAD THE GOSPEL BRAVELY GOD IS ON THE MOVE.

(2) Editorial. The Lord Works Powerfully in the Middle East and Central Asia by ALAN DOERKSEN. G. Alan Doerksen, Managing Editor. ABOVE: Children in a Turkish refugee camp. Indigenous missionaries partnered with Intercede in Turkey and other Middle Eastern nations minister to refugees such as these.. od is enabling indigenous missions to work in powerful ways in the Middle East and Central Asia. These regions are the cradle of civilization and include many Biblical lands. We will explore these regions and the groundbreaking work of Intercede’s partner ministries in this issue. Although I have never travelled to Central Asia, my grandparents on both sides of the family were born and grew up in part of southern Russia in between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. They lived in an area just slightly north of Georgia (the other one) and Azerbaijian. My grandparents and their families came to Canada 100 years ago because of the tyranny of the Communist government in its early days of power in Russia. My family and I are grateful for the generous Mennonites in Canada who sponsored them and many others to come to this nation when their lives were in danger. These days, Christians in the Middle East and Central Asia also face many challenges and dangers. Governments of some of these nations are oppressive to Christians—imprisoning pastors and other believers, and shutting down churches. And yet, God is at work in these nations in amazing ways.. 2 INTERCEDE Spring 2021. In Central Asia, Intercede now works with six indigenous ministries. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Christians in Central Asia have experienced some freedom to share their faith, but have also run into opposition from strict Muslims and new authoritarian regimes. But despite opposition and some persecution, indigenous ministries partnered with Intercede have been spreading the Gospel bravely across this new frontier. In 2012, Intercede President James Eagles and Director of Overseas Ministries Eliud Herrera visited Ukraine, where they met with the leaders of some of the Central Asian ministries with which we now work. Herrera has also visited Israel and Turkey. He reflects on those travels in his Mission Inspirations story in this issue. Harvest Iran Ministries missionaries are reaching Iranians through television and Internet ministries, church planting and help for the persecuted church, and refugee work —and are seeing the Iranian church grow rapidly. In Iran, Christians encounter much hostility from authorities and radical Muslims. But through the use of television and social media on the Internet, HIM is breaking through physical and spiritual boundaries and spreading the Gospel throughout Iran and beyond..

(3) More Than One Million Bibles In Jordan, Manara Outreach Ministries started in 1977 as a bookshop serving the evangelical community in Jordan. Over the years this ministry has expanded immensely. Today it holds displays in secular book fairs and exhibitions throughout the Middle East, using educational books along with Scriptures and Christian literature. Manara accomplished the goal of delivering one million Bibles and New Testaments to Iraq, Syria and the Arabian Peninsula by the year 2000. Manara also runs Camp Gilead—the largest youth evangelism program in Jordan. In Israel, Netivah Christian Ministries is an inspired indigenous youth ministry that works with both Jewish and Arabic youth. Through conferences, camps, and online events such as Bible studies Netivah has been engaging youth in enthusiastic ways—even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Netivah’s strategy is to provide various activities for youth such as national conferences, regional youth events at the centre, hiking and camping trips, seminars and teaching events for youth leaders and congregation leaders—as well as relevant conferences for soldiers in Israel’s army. Reaching All Egypt has given hope to thousands of unemployed young people by equipping them with marketable skills or enabling them to start new microenterprises to earn their living. RAE’s main goal is “to preach the Gospel,” asserts founder and leader Rev. Zaky (name changed for security reasons). “But we can’t preach the Gospel to an empty stomach. So we use development activities to introduce ourselves to the community and to begin making some bridges with the people. It leads to preaching the Gospel.”. Serving in the Land of Paul In the land in which Paul the Apostle was born and ministered—now known as Turkey— missionaries partnered with Intercede are planting churches, baptizing many new believers, and ministering to refugees from war-torn Syria. Early in their ministry, Turkish Christian Fellowship missionaries Najat and David often went to cafés to spread the Gospel. “We have had a good reaction from the young generation but sometimes we are not getting a good reaction,” reported David. “We had a problem one December: some radical Islamic group walked against us and threatened us with death. But we talked with them nicely and God protected us from them so we left the place.” Because of the prevailing non-Christian. atmosphere of Turkey, TCF missionaries have to be careful when accepting new people into their churches. Visions from the Lord guided Dr. William Johnson to start and lead Pakistan Gospel Assemblies—which plants churches, runs a cable television ministry, and helps out poverty-stricken and persecuted Christians in Pakistan in a variety of ways. Johnson’s family was of a nominal Christian background. One day an indigenous Gospel preacher prayed for his mother, who was on her deathbed. She was instantly healed and the whole family immediately trusted in Christ. PGA missionaries have seen other miracles such as two men who were raised from the dead after prayer by Christians. Please intercede for our partner missionaries in the Middle East and Central Asia as they let God work through them to reach the unreached and minister to suffering people.. ABOVE: Iranian missionaries baptize a young woman.. www.IntercedeNow.ca. Spring 2021 INTERCEDE 3.

(4) Table of Contents. SOME OF INTERCEDE’S MINISTRY PARTNERS. EDITORIAL. 2. The Lord Works Powerfully in the Middle East and Central Asia FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE: IN FOCUS: THE MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA. 5 8 11 14 16. God Works Powerfully Through Harvest Iran Ministries. 19 22. Pakistan Ministry Has Vision to Reach Unreached Multitudes. Manara Shines the Light of God Across Middle East Netivah Works Creatively With Youth in Israel Egyptian Ministry Gives Hope to Thousands Turkish Missionaries Experience Joy of Baptizing Many Believers Central Asian Missionaries Spread the Gospel Bravely MISSION INSPIRATIONS. 26. God Is On The Move INTERCEDE NEWS SERVICE. 28. Chinese Missionaries Share Their Faith WORLD HARVEST. 29. SIERRA LEONE: Orphanage Almost Completed INDIA: Ramya’s Testimony. 30. PERU: Freedom For Ministry in Peru Supporters Speak MINISTRY PROFILE. 31 32. About Intercede International Inspirational Reads. FRONT COVER: A group of Christians prays for Iran.. 4 INTERCEDE Spring 2021.

(5) The Middle East AND Central Asia. Manara Shines the Light of God Across Middle East by ALAN DOERKSEN. ABOVE: Children pick up Christian literature from Manara Outreach Ministries.. M. anara is the Arabic word for lighthouse, and Manara Outreach Ministries shines the light of God across the Middle East through its Christian literature, refugee and youth work. Manara’s book ministry started in 1977 as a bookshop serving the evangelical community in Jordan. Over the years this ministry has expanded immensely. Today it holds displays in secular book fairs and exhibitions throughout the Middle East, using educational books along with Scriptures and Christian literature. Manara accomplished the goal of delivering one million Bibles and New Testaments to Iraq, Syria and the Arabian Peninsula by the year 2000. It distributes Christian adult and children’s literature, videos and other resources to help build up the churches. Manara founder Isam Ghattas came to Christ by reading a Bible he was given and so has a strong inclination towards ensuring the Word of God is available to all.. Largest Youth Evangelism Program In Jordan Ghattas founded Camp Gilead in the mid-1970s in the Gilead region of Jordan, noted in scripture for its ‘healing balm.’ Thousands of young people have been through these camps and have heard about Jesus. Most of the leaders in the Jordanian church today are there as a result of attending a camp in Gilead. Camp Gilead is the largest youth evangelism program in Jordan. Perched on two-and-a-half. 8 INTERCEDE Spring 2021. acres atop a biblical mount, Camp Gilead has been giving young people the best news in the world since the mid-1970s. Every summer, hundreds of campers return to their homes and schools, burning with a new understanding of and commitment to Jesus Christ. On average, 40 percent of campers accept Christ, while many others renew their commitments to the Lord. Through Manara’s camp ministry, thousands of children and young people have heard of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Many of Jordan’s church leaders received their initial training and experience as counsellors there. One summer at the camp, a boy who was injured was taken to a nearby clinic and the doctor asked about the cause of the injury. The doctor became excited when he heard it was at Camp Gilead. He left the clinic and visited the camp. In tears, the doctor explained that the camp had not been able to reach him during the week he was there 15 years before. But several years later, while he was in the army stationed in Iran, loneliness prompted him to remember the good time he had at Camp Gilead. He got the Bible and began to read for himself the truths that he had heard. He began leading a Bible study for 10 other men and all of them received Christ. The doctor shared his new faith with his family and they also believed. Every summer, hundreds of children from different backgrounds encounter God in Camp Gilead—where they are healed from the.

(6) ...few counsellors anywhere else have the challenges that present themselves when ministering to children who are born and raised in a perpetual war zone... deadly wounds of sin. They are refreshed and strengthened in a world of trees and open sky— away from TV and traffic and the endless news of death and destruction. Every summer, many who arrive lost, leave saved. “I don’t know of camp counsellors anywhere in the world who are trained as extensively and thoroughly as the young men and women who serve at Camp Gilead,” declares Ghattas. “But then, few counsellors anywhere else have the challenges that present themselves when ministering to children who are born and raised in a perpetual war zone like the Middle East— children forced to deal every day with fear, trauma and hopelessness, in addition to the normal trials of childhood. “Pray for protection against Islamic extremists who have threatened and attacked us and the camp in the past. What God is able to accomplish in the children every year is a thorn in the devil’s side. And there is little he will not attempt to stop it. While there is lots of fun and fellowship, Camp Gilead is really about the dramatic changes that take place in the children’s lives every summer. Please intercede for them and for us, that the Holy Spirit will give us wisdom and revelation and protect the seeds of life we plant in their hearts.” A large number of children and youth from the ages of eight to 18 enjoy camping at Camp Gilead every summer. For a few days it is their home, where they make life-changing decisions and build lasting friendships.. Manara has just launched Gilead Academy, as a brand-new fruit of the COVID-19 transition. It is a unique youth leadership program aimed at identifying and equipping 15- to 18-year-old young men and women to be ready for future servant leadership roles in their own communities, churches and youth ministries. It is the first of its kind in Jordan and covers topics such as team dynamics, identity and purpose in Christ, mission to their generation, articulating and sharing their testimony—in addition to practical tutorials on social media, first aid, content writing and other useful tools. “The Manara youth team has been working towards a digital outreach strategy for the past two years,” reports Ghattas. “The vision has always been to reach the unreached, deliver the Gospel, offer discipleship and spiritual growth, and delivery creative content that responds to the human need for God. The challenge recently has been extending it into the digital space. The ongoing COVID-19 situation has accelerated our plans and we are now heavily working on a mobile app that targets youth in Jordan and across the region with the Gospel. We are thrilled and very excited about this transition. Manara also has started a new digital ministry platform reaching women in the region. “It currently has 220,000 followers and averages two unique Bible downloads per day,” reports Ghattas. “Praise the Lord for this!”. BELOW: A youth event in Camp Gilead’s amphitheatre.. Spring 2021 INTERCEDE 9.

(7) Relief and Rescue For Refugees Manara’s relief efforts include micro-economic development projects through which financially struggling women from Muslim backgrounds have a chance to become economically self-sufficient. Manara also provides food, clothing, blankets, heaters and medical assistance to needy Christian families—including Syrian, Palestinian and Iraqi refugees. “We feed at least RIGHT: Manara 4,000 or 5,000 families a Outreach Ministries leader month,” explains Ghattas. In Isam Ghattas the Jordan region, which has meets with seen many wars, Manara helps refugee children. out victims of war, providing food and other needs. Manara also does some relief work in Iraq, such as providing clothes and blankets for needy people. About 5.6 million Syrian refugees have now fled from the civil war crisis since that started 10 years ago in March 2011. Another 6.2 million people are displaced within Syria, reports World Vision. Christians in Syria are suffering from not only the bombings and violence of civil war but also as targets by extremist Islamist rebel groups. An estimated 600,000 Christians have already fled the country or died. Those remaining face threats of kidnapping, torture, sexual assault and other persecution. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have become internal refugees, forced to flee from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs, only to take shelter in refugee areas lacking food, water, medicine, electricity and gasoline. “We constantly receive heartbreaking pleas for help,” reports Manara leader Isam Ghattas. For more “But we can do only what friends like you enable information us to do through your compassionate gifts and and persistent prayers. Satan appears to be trying to bimonthly purge the Middle East of all of Christians. May Intercede Field Praise God forbid it!” he declares. Manara is striving to help thousands of Syrian Reports, refugee families, by supporting and providing contact emergency distribution food and non-food items Intercede to them—such as rent costs, mattresses, clothes mentioning and medicine. With caution and discernment, this Manara also supplies Christian literature to those Intercede project code: in need. “It’s an extreme need: support for the refugees,” 420MOM. writes Ghattas. “Thank you for standing with us and for comforting and strengthening our. 10 INTERCEDE Spring 2021. persecuted Syrian brothers and sisters. As a Jordanian organization that has been working in refugee aid for years, one of Manara’s strengths is that we have relationships of trust with contacts across the country.” Please pray for provision for Manara’s work with Syrian refugees—and for peace and healing in their lives.. Jesus Answers Prayers Here is a testimony from a family helped by Manara a few years ago: “Jesus answer prayers,” an Iraqi mother said. April had been difficult for her. With the money she had left, she could only afford three loaves of bread to feed her family. That is all she had. Noticing this, her young daughter said that this is not enough to feed all of them. But the mother reassured her saying, “God will provide for us, do not worry.” Just as the mother finished this sentence; there was a knock on the door with a food package ready for them. The joy and relief they felt was apparent on their faces. The mother did not have to worry about feeding her family for some time. A hot meal served with the Love of Jesus is good for the soul. Manara has continued to be blessed with the opportunity to serve the hungry. A steaming plate of rice, vegetables, and a piece of chicken says to the refugee, “I love you... I have not forgotten you... you are important to me.” “Most importantly, every adult was given a New Testament Pocket Bible and every child was thrilled to receive a special Children’s Bible,” reported Ghattas. “The hope of the future is a child with the Word of the Lord.” Last August when a deadly explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon, Manara ran a relief program to help the suffering people of that city. Manara has also helped Jordanians affected by COVID-19related lockdowns. “We are compelled to reach out to more and more people and we feel the urgency of these exceptional times; a time for us to act in love, restore hope and provide help in practical ways,” explains Ghattas. Please intercede for Manara missionaries as they reach out to people across the Middle East with the compassion of Christ..

(8) The Middle East AND Central Asia. Netivah Works Creatively With Youth in Israel b y A L A N D O E R K S E N. N. etivah Christian Ministries is an inspired indigenous youth ministry based in Israel that works with both Jewish and Arabic youth. Through conferences, camps, and online events such as Bible studies Netivah has been engaging youth in enthusiastic ways—even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Netivah became a partner of Intercede International in 2013. Intercede’s Eliud Herrera, who visited the ministry in the summer of 2013, explained, “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to bless the nation of Israel through the work of Netivah. We are excited that God has made this connection for us, after many years of prayer about it.” Netivah’s name is the Hebrew word for pathway. Its vision is: “To see young men and women coming to the saving knowledge of Yeshua [Jesus] the Messiah, that they may know His love and become like Him, that they may serve Him.” Its mission is: “To equip, strengthen and support the maturing of the Messianic/ Christian community in Israel to the full stature of Messiah Yeshua in issues of family life, youth work and soldiers ministries.” Netivah’s strategy is to provide various activities for youth such as national conferences, regional youth events at the centre, hiking and camping trips, seminars and teaching events for youth leaders and congregation leaders—as well as relevant conferences for soldiers in Israel’s army. Rev. Joel Goldberg, Netivah’s youth director. and founder, started Netivah in 2005 with a clear calling to serve local congregations in the area of youth work. Currently, Netivah works with more than 70 of Israel’s 150 messianic congregations.. ABOVE: Participants in a Netivah Netsor camp held in July 2020.. Creativity During Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Netivah’s work in major ways. “As a team we have been challenged to rethink our course of action, and forms of communication,” reported Goldberg in an Intercede Field Report. “Our vision as an organization is to reach out to the Youth, Soldiers and Youth leaders, to strengthen and support especially during times of crisis, even if it means that we will need to work harder and be creative. “So, on the first week of the Coronavirus we gathered the Netivah team and prayerfully set out a plan for the upcoming months, and committed to keep pushing on with whatever means we have, while keeping the social distancing and quarantine limitations. We focused our work more in areas that needed less or limited personal contact such as media. We produced three YouTube shows/ Bible studies a week for the youth and one teaching video for soldiers. “We are learning to use new tools such as Zoom meetings, live broadcasts and video clips, so we can continue to support and encourage the youth during this time. We have also launched our own Netivah App on AppStore and Google Play in order to make all of our teachings, videos, and materials readily available.. Spring 2021 INTERCEDE 11.

(9) “We also created care packages for each soldier that we delivered to the congregations to be given to the soldiers. Working with limited numbers: during this time we have been challenged to creatively divide the groups into smaller gatherings, even at the cost of working harder and longer at times. “One of the guiding principles for us at Netivah has been that ‘The Coronavirus will not stop us!’—and when all this will be over, we will not be picking up the pieces, but rather that we will have learned to utilize our resources and time,” declared Goldberg, “We have made every effort to move forward and progress the ministry and at the end of all this we will be ahead and even more ready to move forward.”. Youth Hikes. BELOW: Youth take part in a Netivah hike.. Youth hikes are a fun and healthy activity that Netivah organizes twice a year. These are usually camping trips of two or three days in the north part of Galilee or one of the desert areas of Israel. Every other summer Netivah engages the youth groups in Sea to Sea—a five-day hike from the Mediterranean to the Sea of Galilee. The ministry’s leaders explain, “In today’s day and age, it is hard to get the youth away from the TV, Internet and the race for the next popular trend. We at Netivah believe that hiking and camping is an intense time for bonding and developing lasting relationships, learning about the land of the Bible and the history, giving the youth an opportunity to get out and see God’s work in His creation.” The youth joining the hikes are primarily from believing backgrounds, though Netivah does not assume that they have personally decided to follow Jesus. Youth can invite friends from school to participate and the Gospel is clearly presented. “During these trips we encounter along the way fellow hikers, campers, and have many. 12 INTERCEDE Spring 2021. opportunities to share about Yeshua,” explain Netivah leaders.. Youth Conferences This ministry also holds youth conferences through the year. An average of 250 youth come together for two or three days of sound Bible teaching and other activities each time. The purpose is to serve the local congregations (Arab/ Jewish) and the youth workers by providing a setting where youth leaders can bring their youth, spend time with them, where the youth can meet and develop relationships with other youth from around the country, and spend time in worship, prayer and study from the Word of God. The conferences are topical and the sessions are usually all focused on the specific topic (such as evangelism, sexual purity, apologetics, the deity of Jesus). The speakers are generally pastors and leaders from around the country. The conferences are a great setting for youth to invite friends to participate and are seekerfriendly. The Gospel is clearly presented to encourage and strengthen the faith of the believers and to challenge and exhort nonbelievers. The youth leaders attending the conference are then encouraged to use the materials and topics presented at the conference and expand on it in their congregational settings, encouraging growth within the congregation.. Army Outreach The ministry also does other outreach among youth who are joining the army (Israel Defense Force—IDF). Military service is obligatory in Israel. Men serve for three years, and women for two. So, young evangelicals are trained physically and spiritually in how to continue serving God faithfully when enrolling in the military. The purpose is to provide men and women serving in the army an opportunity to come together in fellowship, worship, prayer and study from the Word of God—providing an environment in which they can build peer relationships, and get counsel and guidance from mature and godly veterans. Netivah encourages Grade 12 students to participate as well—as they will be drafted within the year and can benefit from the fellowship and content. The participants are primarily of a Jewish background. The participants are challenged to strengthen and grow in their faith and encouraged to be a testimony and a light as they boldly and openly share their faith..

(10) “Because of the COVID-19 restriction, we had to postpone the Soldiers Conference scheduled for November 2020,” reported Goldberg. “But instead of dropping it all we planned two weekends during which 20 soldiers were invited for a meal, fellowship, worship and a devotional. It was a blessing for the soldiers who have been out of fellowship for so long. It went so well that we plan to do this again as soon as the restrictions for gatherings are lifted.”. Netsor: To Safeguard Netsor is Netivah’s pre-military preparation program for high school graduates getting them ready for their military service in the IDF. The Hebrew word Netsor means “to safeguard.” The Netsor program is geared to address the issues that are relevant for them as soldiers, such as: fears and concerns of moving away from home and into a rigid and demanding environment, helping to diffuse some of the fears and anxieties, the moral and ethical dilemmas they will face during their service, sexual purity, purity of heart, being a light and testimony to those they are serving with and under, Identity of the believing soldier, respect and dignity of all people. Netivah’s desire is to see them bond and develop effective supporting relationships that will carry them throughout their time in the military and beyond.. Youth Leaders’ Seminars Netivah often holds one-day intensive seminars for youth workers, youth leaders, pastors, elders and parents. During the seminars the youth leaders are equipped with the tools and training to improve their youth work in their congregation and to create a network between them. These seminars are also a good place for the youth leaders to share their experiences and learn from one another. In Israel, there is very little professional formal. teaching and training for youth workers serving within the local congregations, explain Netivah leaders. “We believe that Netivah has the experience and knowledge to provide some of the teaching, and the capability to coordinate professional teachers on the relevant subject.” These gatherings provide a forum and connection point for youth workers and leaders around from all over Israel. They build a relationship of trust and cooperation between youth workers and Netivah missionaries, as well as providing opportunities for coaching and discipling of new and veteran youth workers.. Youth Activities Netivah hosts monthly regional Friday events in which youth workers and youth are invited for a Friday evening of fellowship, food, worship and a Bible study. The Messianic/Christian youth in Israel are scarce. Most of the youth with whom Netivah works are the only believers in their school, and some of them are even the only believing family in their towns. “Our desire is to provide a safe and healthy environment in which youth can have fellowship with other believing youth their ages, spend time in worship, prayer and study from the Word of God,” explain Netivah leaders. Thank the Lord for this ministry that is expanding the Kingdom of God among youth in Israel. For more information and bimonthly Intercede Field Praise Reports, contact Intercede mentioning this Intercede project code: 410NCM.. TOP: Enthusiastic participants in a Netivah conference for soldiers. ABOVE: A speaker addresses a Netivah women’s group.. Spring 2021 INTERCEDE 13.

(11) The Middle East AND Central Asia. Egyptian Ministry Gives Hope to Thousands by ALAN DOERKSEN. ABOVE: A Reaching All Egypt computer training session.. R. eaching All Egypt has given hope to thousands of unemployed young people by equipping them with marketable skills or enabling them to start new microenterprises to earn their living. In 2012 Intercede began to work with RAE, which is based in Cairo. Started in Egypt in 1995, it is a holistic Christian ministry working in four areas: spiritual, social, practical development and health. RAE’s main goal is “to preach the Gospel,” asserts founder and leader Rev. Zaky (name changed for security reasons). “But we can’t preach the Gospel to an empty stomach. So we use development activities to introduce ourselves to the community and to begin making some bridges with the people. It leads to preaching the Gospel.” RAE works to help large numbers of the poor in Egypt. It has ministries that help children, the elderly, the unemployed, and the sick. While helping in these ways, RAE’s missionaries also share the Gospel and plant churches. Currently RAE has about 300 missionaries. RAE has rescued many girls and women from sexual exploitation, and supported and rehabilitated them to live with dignity. Widows have been assisted by loans and have started successful microenterprises to support their families. RAE has also empowered many churches by the training of a second tier of leaders. RAE has presented the Good News to tens of thousands of nominal Christians—many of whom have accepted Jesus into their hearts.. Church Planting Since more than 10 percent of Egypt’s population is Coptic (Orthodox Christians) in this mostly-Muslim country, RAE can legally work. 14 INTERCEDE Spring 2021. as long as it ministers to “Christians.” Christians cannot openly evangelize Muslims, but they can work in and through churches. One strategy of RAE is to send church planters to areas where there was once a church, and use the former church location as a platform for evangelism and forming a new church. Currently, RAE has more than 200 church planters assigned to these areas. “The churches are not big buildings, not hundreds of congregants,” explains Rev. Zaky. “It’s like a home cell group, till it becomes 30, 40, or 50 members. Then they try to rent or buy a small room to worship God in.” Rev. Zaky started the ministry in response to his concern about the high rate of unemployment in Egypt. The ministry began by giving loans to individuals to start small businesses—and blossomed into a training, evangelistic and literacy ministry. More than half of Egyptian women are illiterate—but through RAE’s educational courses, many are on their way to careers and new life in Christ.. Vocational Training Helps Poor RAE offers vocational training such as: ceramic tiling, men’s barbering, women’s hairdressing, house-building, electricity, plumbing, and computer courses. RAE takes mobile computer training units into poverty-stricken areas. Through this training, many people have accepted Jesus as Saviour. Once students complete the training, RAE helps them to find employment. “The biggest problem in Egypt is unemployment, so lots of youth try to immigrate even inside Egypt to Cairo, or outside Egypt,” observes Rev. Zaky. “But most of them can’t earn their living or send money back to their families, even if they work outside their villages. So we ask.

(12) the unemployed youth to come to our training centre, to learn one of 22 kinds of vocational training. If we have funds, we give the best trainees from each course a tool kit to begin their own project or their own shop.” With its vocational training, RAE reaches the Fellahin—the traditional farmers and peasants living in rural areas. They comprise 60 percent of Egypt’s population, and are typically uneducated and very poor.. Neama’s Story Neama is 41 years old, from a small village in Minya governorate. She is married with two children. She was dreaming to find any work opportunity in order to share with her husband in meeting the needs of the family—because her husband’s income is very low and he cannot afford to meet the essential needs of the family. She joined a women’s hairdressing course which Reaching All Egypt held in her village. She loved the skill very much and started to practice what she had learnt on her neighbours in her home. When she found that her clients had increased she opened a small beauty centre. A few months later, she expanded the project and started to rent out wedding dresses. She succeeded in building a good reputation in her village, and the project succeeded and raised the standard of living of her family. Neama also became one of the staff in Reaching All Egypt’s Life Schools—as a women’s hairdressing trainer, besides her own project. Neama expressed her gratitude to God and to the RAE ministry for the transformation which happened in her life and said: “I thank God for the goodness with which He filled my home, and I feel very grateful to Reaching All Egypt for training the youth and the support they have showed me since I got to know them.”. Microcredit Program RAE gives loans from $80 up to $400 to poor people to begin their own projects. They pay back on a monthly payment for 15 or 24 months. Then the money is channeled into other projects. Since 1997, thousands of people have benefited from this program, such as Zina. Zina is 36 years old from Bani Ahmad village in Minya governorate. She is married with three children. The eldest daughter is engaged. Zina’s husband is a farmer and their financial situation was very difficult. She made a cooperative plan with other women in which they pay a regular. amount of money every month, and every month by turn one woman receives the total amount of money. In her turn she took the money from the women, plus $270, which she took from Reaching All Egypt as a loan, and bought a pregnant cow that gave birth. Zina raised the calf and sold the products of the cow and sold the calf, which enabled her to plaster her home and buy another pregnant cow. Zina took another loan from Reaching All Egypt to feed the new calf, and she is planning to sell the calf to pay for the marriage preparations for her engaged daughter. Zina is very happy with the development which took place in her family during two years. She is also very grateful to God and trusts in Him. She gives a kilogram of butter and a kilogram of milk to a poor family in her village as a monthly commitment.. Granny Project RAE has started specific programs for widows, children and the elderly. Through the Granny Project, elderly people receive regular assistance, including medical care. A volunteer doctor visits each person helped once a month. RAE provides the elderly with basics such as beds, blankets, mattresses, clothes and gas stoves. Village workers visit to pray with them, encourage them, distribute their regular food supplies, and check on their needs. The purpose of each of these ministries is to show the love of Christ and share the Gospel, so that Egyptians reached will grow to maturity in Christ. Please pray for RAE’s missionaries as they serve God in vital ways in Egypt.. ABOVE: Reaching All Egypt helped Zina (above) with its microcredit program.. For more information and bimonthly Intercede Field Praise Reports, contact Intercede mentioning this Intercede project code: 408RAE.. www.IntercedeNow.ca. Spring 2021 INTERCEDE 15.

(13) SIERRA LEONE: Orphanage Almost. Completed. SIERRA LEONE—New Creation Ministries’ Calvary Children’s Home for orphans in Sierra Leone is progressing well. “We have made tremendous progress on the project as we hope to have the children in very soon, all being well,” reports NCM leader Mitford Macauley. “Dormitory 1 is more than 95 percent complete; just some finishing touches to go. Dormitory 2 is more than 80 percent complete and work is ongoing to see it completed very soon. Some of the children had started coming from the villages and I had time to interact with them and their caretakers to encourage them. They were shown their home in construction with assurance that it will soon be completed.” The construction of the second stage for Security Fencing, Administration Offices, Dining Hall and Kitchen buildings started early this year. $60,000 is still needed to finish this second stage. Please pray for this. “We have been praying that God who has started this good work will surely provide for us and establish it, as we believe He is the Father to the fatherless,” declares Macauley. “We have been gradually preparing the children psychologically for their full transfer into the orphanage. We continue to trust and pray that God’s continual mercy and provision will about towards us to. make our dream for these children a reality. Thank you for standing with us throughout this time.” Macauley is also grateful for his improving health. “I traveled to Accra, Ghana on Wednesday January 13 on a scheduled medical visit and arrived safely. A stent that was implanted in me since April last year that needed to be changed. I have completed my medical, the stent has been changed by God’s grace and I returned February 3. The medical check went well. The healing of God, which is a done thing, is manifesting in my body more and more fully every day. The stent was removed and replaced, and I believe this will be the last. “I returned strong, and one of my current visions is to see the orphanage completed in the near future, so that the kids can reside there. Gift Code: 530NCM. INDIA: Ramya’s Testimony. INDIA—Ramya is studying in Grade 10 and hails from a Hindu background, reports Siloam Evangelical Fellowship leader Mariamma Buraga. “Her parents have financial problems, and due to that they were never sending her to school. But she comes to our Children’s Bible Club regularly and Sunday school every week. Then we talked to her parents and convinced them to send her to school. “After a few months, her mother started coming to church every Sunday. Her father also wants to come to church, but because of his work he is not able to come. Ramya’s mother said that if her husband will come to church then both of them will take baptism, and after much counseling finally she accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized. We are praying for her husband to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. “Ramya is very interested in studies and playing. She sings songs and can recite small memory verses from the Bible. Through her coming to the Sunday school, she is developing holistically, in many ways, learning about Jesus Christ and is able to go to school and study,” reports Buraga. “Although we are concentrating our efforts on children, we believe that this is also a very strategic way to reach their families. These children are a wonderful means in reaching the older people more effectively.” Gift Code: 630SEF. LEFT: Needy children take a tour of NCM’s new Calvary Children’s Home in Sierra Leone.. Spring 2021 INTERCEDE 29.

(14) PERU: Freedom For Ministry in Peru. BELOW: Segadores missionaries connect the missionary base in Atalaya, Peru, with the local water supply.. PERU—“Several of our missionary co-workers were able to travel to rural areas of the jungle in recent months,” reports Segadore leader Peter Hocking. “This way they discovered that in rural areas there is much more freedom for ministry, and little danger of infection from the COVID virus! “We thank the Lord for recent advances on our Missionary Base in Atalaya,” writes Hocking. “Our co-worker Oscar Tello was able to supervise the installation of a long hose that connected our missionary houses to Atalaya’s public water network. What a relief that now our missionaries no longer need to haul water from a stream during long dry spells!” Tello and other Segadores missionaries also set up a stronger barbed-wire fence around the property of the Missionary Base, using cement posts. Last year the original fence had fallen because a brush fire had burned the wooden fence-posts. “Thankfully, now stray cows cannot. invade our Base to eat vegetables in our garden, and an illegal land-invasion [in February] was blocked,” Hocking reports. Hocking is also thankful to God for how Segadores’ tribal missionaries are continuing to press ahead in the service of God, in spite of some challenges. Augusto Diaz, an Ashaninka churchplanter, is ministering to five small congregations that he started a few years ago. He and his team risk their lives at times when they swim across a swollen river and then hike several hours to reach a community where they will minister God’s Word. Santiago Pascual, a Yanesha church-planter, is ministering to seven small congregations that he started several years ago. A few months ago Santiago had a bad fall on a rocky riverbed while wading across a shallow river, which caused him much pain from a dislocated shoulder and a bad blow to his head. However, this did not keep him from continuing to serve God. Please pray for these faithful missionaries. Gift Code: 245SEG. “Our co-worker Oscar Tello was able to supervise the installation of a long hose that connected our missionary houses to Atalaya’s public water network. WHAT A RELIEF THAT NOW OUR MISSIONARIES NO LONGER NEED TO HAUL WATER FROM A STREAM DURING LONG DRY SPELLS!”. Supporters Speak Thank you for the publications you send through the years. They have encouraged and blessed my life in so many ways. Thanks be to God for what He is accomplishing globally through Intercede. I use Prayerline and Praise Report to guide my prayer time. Thank you for blessing my life, and may God’s guidance and direction shower the work you faithfully do for His Kingdom. ~ From Lydia in Ontario Just a word of appreciation for your Prayerline publication! We pray daily for the missions and you at headquarters! God bless! ~ From William in Ontario “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness is to all generations” (Psalm 119:89, 90). Love and blessings. ~ From Ruth in Alberta Thank you for the prayer bulletins. It is good for us to care for our brethren with support and prayer. God bless your valuable work! Despite the pandemic, please be encouraged! ~ From Fred in British Columbia. 30 INTERCEDE Spring 2021.

(15) ABOUT INTERCEDE INTERNATIONAL ~ SINCE 1953 ~. MISSION STATEMENT To establish, encourage and strengthen an indigenous, New Testament witness for our Lord Jesus Christ among all nations, by providing material and spiritual aid to Christians who are impoverished, few or persecuted; and to encourage Christian witness and ministry to the international community in Canada. Giving for the future... with benefits for the here and now. Our Standards Intercede International partners with ministries that hold to the fundamental doctrines of historic evangelical Christianity. Our accounts are audited by a Canadian Chartered Accountant and Intercede is governed by a Canadian Board of Directors. Intercede is a Certified Member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC) and adheres to the Members’ code maintaining high standards of ethical integrity and financial accountability. Our Statement of Faith and Annual Report are available on request.. Senior Christians today are discovering that Planned Giving Gift Annuities, Wills, and other charitable trust agreements through our partner, Link Charity, offer an excellent way to provide for their personal needs as well as help God's work. In many cases some or all of the income received would be tax free. When he or she goes home to glory, the remaining principal would then be used for missionary work. Call or write today and learn how both you and the Lord's work can benefit from a Planned Giving arrangement with Intercede International and Link Charity.. How We Work Operating in Canada since 1953, Intercede International is an evangelical mission board that provides headquarters services, programs and ministry in cooperation with indigenous evangelistic mission boards based in countries of poverty and persecution. We locate, evaluate and partner with indigenous ministries that agree to carry out our ministry programs, and recommend these for prayer and financial support to individuals and churches in Canada. We also provide detailed information to Canadian Christians and Churches to help build their vision for mission. Contributions are collected and support is sent on behalf of our programs being carried out by each indigenous ministry. For closed lands where missions are not yet established, Intercede International encourages the discipling and equipping of future leaders from among overseas students, foreign visitors, refugees and immigrants in our midst.. 201 Stanton Street Fort Erie, ON L2A 3N8 Email: [email protected] Web: www.IntercedeNow.ca Phone: 1-800-871-0882 Charitable Registration No. 130520802 RR0001. How You Can Help PRAY and SERVE. Our Volunteers across Canada provide services that will impact souls for eternity. By praying according to knowledge provided by Intercede publications, you are serving and interceding "Standing in the Gap" for the Lord's people in many nations. Call or write today for our VIP Volunteer Pack to get started as an area volunteer, or for Prayerline, our bimonthly prayer digest.. ADOPT AN INDIGENOUS MISSION BOARD. Churches Discover New Missions Strategies. Churches can adopt one or several native mission boards and any of the many evangelical programs they carry out. They can also support evangelistic outreaches that target unreached people groups in a given country. As a relationship with Intercede develops, visiting the mission field overseas through our MISSION ACTION TEAMS program is an option. Contact us and request our strategic DISCOVER program for Canadian churches.. SPONSOR AN INDIGENOUS MISSIONARY OR A NEEDY CHILD. National Missionaries can be co-sponsored by individuals or by churches on average for as little as $50 to $150 monthly. Sponsors may receive the name and photo of the missionary they support, and information about the indigenous ministry with which they serve as well as annual updates. Hundreds of needy and orphaned children are being cared for by indigenous missions. Those who sponsor a child for $30 a month will receive a photo and information on the child and annual updates on the child’s progress.. OVERSEAS MATERIAL AID CONTAINERS. The Overseas Material Aid program (OMA) sends shipments of needed goods and equipment to ministries in other countries. Contact us for details.. How to Send Your Contribution Regular monthly pledges can be made via credit card or pre-authorized bank account payments. To do this or to speed your contribution call 1-800-871-0882 and use your VISA, MasterCard, or American Express.You may also make secure donations via our internet site using your credit card at www.IntercedeNow.ca. Accredited Member of CCCC since 1986 When making a donation to Intercede International, the donor acknowledges that the gift will be pooled with all other donations and disbursed by Intercede according to its financial policy for donations. Restricted gifts are deemed by Intercede to include a share of direct expenditures incurred by a ministry project. When gifts exceed a need or if the project for which the gift is designated becomes inactive or unassignable for any reason, then those gifts or any overage shall be used to meet other needs. Assigned and general gifts are expended at the discretion of Intercede. Gifts will not be accepted for purposes that are not within Intercede’s objects. Intercede shall at all times strive to provide comprehensive information about its work and organization to all inquirers. Remuneration of staff and representatives is not based on gifts or commissions. Donors are advised to seek independent professional counsel before committing to a large gift or endowment to Intercede International. Gifts are acknowledged, and where applicable, receipted with an official receipt for income tax purposes at year end. For Albertans: Intercede International is planning to raise an estimated amount of $100,000 or more in Alberta this fiscal year for all projects and campaigns. It will cost our organization an estimated $11,000 to raise this. The funds raised will be going to share the Gospel message with indigenous missions and bring relief to the poor and the vulnerable and to provide disaster relief and educational opportunities worldwide and in Canada. For further information, please contact James Eagles. Address: 201 Stanton St. Fort Erie, ON L2A 3N8. 1-800-871-0882..

(16) INSPIR ATIONAL RE ADS In late 2019, Intercede published It All Started With A Shoemaker, by Eliud Herrera. It is a story of the power and presence of God in the life of a man who had it all and then lost it all. But God was at work in his life, and you will read about God’s transformation of Eliud’s life into a faithful servant of God—who has worked with Intercede International for the last 20 years as its Director of Overseas Ministries. Under the Rubble is a book by Living Word Ministries missionary Barb Lataillade that tells the dramatic testimonies of Barb and Patrick Lataillade—including how they survived the devastating earthquake of January 2010. Despite the severe injuries they endured at that time, Lataillades continue to lead Living Word Ministries—an indigenous mission working in Haiti that is partnered with Intercede International. Dorothy Sun, who led Intercede International’s China Mission until her recent retirement, has written two excellent books which tell her testimony and share about how the church has been growing in China. Clay in the Potter’s Hand starts with her childhood as part of a Christian family in China, and tells how she suffered for 20 years in prison under Communism—because she refused to give up her precious faith and denounce her devout Christian father. Through her trials, she experienced God in amazing ways. He Alone highlights key steps in Dorothy’s spiritual journey—such as meeting mentors who helped her grow in her faith, and how she came to North America and began working with indigenous ministries in China, alongside her husband, the late Dr. Freddie Sun. Be inspired by the testimony of Dorothy Sun! You will be stirred by the book The Man In the Fiery Furnace, which tells the dramatic testimony of the late Dr. Freddie Sun and how he survived persecution for his faith. Freddie spent 10 years in prison in China because of his faith, but later went on to lead Intercede’s China Mission for many years before he passed on in 2012.. To receive your copy of any one of these books, please contact Intercede International by phone at: 1-800-871-0882 or 905-871-1773, or by email at: [email protected].

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