As a large church, Grace Community Church has the ability to reach individuals across the globe. With domestic outreach programs to global ones from Latin America to Asia. I was most interested in their work in Southeast Asia.
Islam is the most widespread religion in Southeast Asia, with over 280 million participating members. It is also reported that there are more than 220 unengaged, unreached people groups just within one of the countries in Southeast Asia. Grace Church workers are strategically working with Christian partners and going into the unengaged, unreached people groups to plant indigenous churches in communities. They believe that their role is to mobilize long-term workers to help train the national believers to engage in the “Disciple-Making Movement” among the unreached people groups. They have also launched a human trafficking ministry through a local church to combat against modern day slavery which is extremely prevalent in this sector of the globe.
Currently, the church is training its members in Fulton, Maryland for part time, and full-time ministry positions in Southeast Asia. Youth of the Church have the opportunity to participate in Impact Trips where they work in connection with Full Time missions’ personnel to bring Christ to this unreached population.
Covid-19 has put a significant burden on overseas missions’ groups, and the church hopes to come back with even more force to the Area in the upcoming Summer, because the need still is, and will always be there.
This is so interesting! I never thought about the possibility to utilize US online church programs to reach globally. I just assume every country has its own online church programs but in places where Christianity is not as dominant, this is a great idea! With overseas mission on pause, churches can still find ways to have an impact and encourage new followers to grow in their faith. Great post, thanks for sharing this!
I thought that it was interesting that Islam is actually spreading to many parts of Southeast Asia. When I think of the spread of Islam, I think mostly of Northern to Mid Africa. As far as the program goes, I think that it is a great idea and an interesting way to utilize technology to spread Christianity to untouched areas of the East, especially during this global pandemic where in-person missions are stalled.
While obviously politically controversial, followers of the religion of Islam is definitely a group that Christians should reach out to, but are often uncomfortable doing so. It is awesome to see how this church is serving this population. Islamic countries have many cultural barriers with us that we have to learn how to handle. Many Americans greatly underestimate just how widespread Islam is around the world.