our outreaches

Agape Home Orphanage

Roy & Avis Rideout

The Agape Home in Chiang Mai, Thailand needs sponsors to help them care for more abandoned babies and children who are HIV-positive and/or have AIDS. Currently caring for 60 children, the Agape Home has taken care of over 180 children since it was opened in 1996. Prior to 1996, there were few placement alternatives for orphaned or abandoned children with or at risk of having HIV/AIDS. Most often, these children were left to languish in hospitals with no one to care for them. The Agape Home is a wonderful, joy-filled and loving place. There are always at least 6 - 8 nannies with the children and usually 4-5 international volunteers as well, the children receive an unusually high degree of love and attention. Life is enjoyed fully by the children, with birthday parties, evening walks, holiday celebrations and all the other activities one would expect in a family.

The number of children that the orphanage can care for is currently limited by the number of sponsors. The current orphanage facility is equipped to handle up to 100 children, but they only have enough sponsors to provide for the needs of 60 children.

The orphanage is located in the suburbs and is currently surrounded by rice fields. However, developers have recently purchased most of the surrounding areas for building new developments. The orphanage has a contract on the 8 acres adjacent to their 4 acre facility to allow for future growth opportunities. They need to raise the funds quickly in order to secure the property.

The orphanage campus also includes a “hospice unit” for mothers with HIV/AIDS. This building has 6 individual living areas and a common cooking and dining area. It was opened in 2003 after a missions team, led by Pastor Phil, was able to clean and paint the rooms. Pastor Phil and several other members of CCCN have participated in multiple construction missions trips to Agape Home since 2000 to help them build their current facilities. If you would be interested in participating in a future trip, please contact Pastor Phil at 538-1050 x11 or phil@cccn.org.

Prayer targets:
Contact information:

www.allforyouth.org/thailand.html

agape@nikkisplace.org

Bibleway Ministries, Thailand

Kendall and Gina Cobb

Kendall and Gina feel the Lord has put them “smack-dab” into the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is central in location to several surrounding communist countries. From Chiang Mai you can fly to Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Burma, and Laos. These countries are home to several hundred people groups and languages, many of which do not have their own written language, or even the gospel message in spoken form. Chiang Mai is considered a “springboard” for the 10/40 window. The 10/40 window could be called the “10/14” window, because there are more children between the ages of ten and fourteen in this window than any other area! This age group is still impressionable and can more easily be reached for Jesus.

The Cobb family relocated to Chiang Mai after faithfully serving in similar work for 9 years in China and Hong Kong, where they labored with Kendall’s parents, Alvin and Rhonda Cobb. Currently serving with Kendall and Gina are their four children: Jennifer — 17, Anna — 15, Gregory — 13, and Laura — 8. Kendall’s parents are also serving, along with Jeff and Verna Wilhoite, another recently relocated family.

The focus of the Bibleway Ministries is to distribute tracts, teaching and training materials, Bibles, study aids, and audio-visual aids. This material is given to both non-believers and new believers. Their vision extends to providing and distributing materials to China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma. They also have materials for Russia, India, and Pakistan.

Prayer targets:

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Compassion International

Jesus loves children

How it must grieve Him to know that millions of the world’s poorest children today face a lifetime of suffering and hardship. They receive little or no education, suffer from hunger and poor health and are often left to fend for themselves for long hours each day. Many have never learned about their Heavenly Father who loves them very much.

God can use you to help a child

As a Compassion sponsor, you can become a special friend to an impoverished child living in a less developed country. You’ll be personally linked with a boy or girl who will know your name, write and treasure the thought that you care. Your support of $32 each month helps provide life changing benefits such as educational opportunities, help with homework, encouragement, a loving and safe place to play, better health and supplemental food if necessary.

Share your love and your faith

When you sponsor a child, you’ll be helping that child connect with a local church-based program where he or she will be loved, valued and protected. The child you help will hear the gospel and be given the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. Many sponsored children become Christians and even lead their families to Christ. Your love will make all the difference!!

Phone: (800) 336-7535

Web: www.compassion.com

CCCN contact: Tracy Teutsch

Email: tteutsch@columbus.rr.com

International Teams

Koen & Linda Hartman

Koen and Linda Hartman completed their studies in Theology and Missions in 1996 at Bethany College of Missions (MN). After their involvement with short-term ministries overseas, they began working in France among Muslim refugees and immigrants. In the fall of 2001 they moved to the Netherlands as the cost of living was significantly less and opportunities were plenty. They continued their work among refugees and joined forces with a small Dutch organization focused on refugee ministry. On the American end they are under the flag of Bethany Fellowship Missions.

They are a part of a team focused on Persian ministries. It is their goal to see Afghan refugees reached, converted, discipled and when possible developed into leaders among fellow Afghan Christians. They are involved in leading Afghan cell groups for evangelism and discipleship, pastoral visits, and helping in coordinating special weekends and events for Afghan Christians.

In addition, Koen is involved with the help desk of the Dutch organization, answering people’s questions regarding refugees and connecting people with the proper resources. In the local church Koen is involved in leading worship. Linda is involved with a multi-cultural reading circle.

Prayer targets:

Contact Information: hartman.refmin@solcon.nl

Uganda

K. L. Dickson

Pastor Dickson was born again during his final year of high school. He was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit and became submitted to a local church. He was challenged to seek the face of God and to have a burning desire for the salvation of lost souls.

At the age of 16, he was called miraculously to full time ministry with tremendous signs, miracles and wonders following. Early in Pastor Dickson’s ministry he suffered great and terrible persecution, to the extent of being jailed. God used that experience to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to different levels of authorities, even the President of Uganda.

Kabaroze Christian Fellowship, the headquarter church where Pastor Dickson is Senior Pastor, has over 7000 members and about 400 Pastoral Care Cell groups. They have three Sunday services and have daily prayer meetings. The church also sponsors a strong prison, hospital and educational ministries.

Pastor Dickson also provides oversight to over 500 satellite churches, ministers to a large number of widows and orphans and has a weekly radio program reaching over 1.7 million people.

He has been married to his wife Gladys since 1984 and has four children, Albert, Marrion, David and Nathan. They have also raised many orphaned children in their home at different intervals.

Prayer targets:

Kampuchea for Christ

Setan & Randa Lee

In 1975, the Khmer Rouge militia under Marxist direction overthrew the government of Kampuchea (Cambodia). Innocent millions were executed. Setan Lee, then a 17 year-old pre-med student, was taken captive along with some members of his family. Setan was subjected to three long years of backbreaking labor and starvation yet miraculously escaped death. It was during those years of captivity that Setan experienced God’s amazing power to deliver and forgive. He declared to God, “Lord of the universe, if you will spare my life, I will be your witness.”

The Christian Broadcasting Network recently released a docudrama called “1000 Years in the Killing Fields: The Story of Setan and Randa Lee”. In this drama, Setan and his wife Randa share their testimonies of God’s infinite yet personal love and deliverance. This drama has exposed more Cambodians to Christ’s message than anything else in the country’s history. In 1990, Cambodia’s borders opened, and Setan returned to his homeland and began to share the love and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 1995, Kampuchea for Christ (KFC) was founded by Setan to win Cambodians from all 21 provinces to Christ, then train and send these laborers out to share Christ with Khmer-speaking people outside of Cambodia. After only 5 years, KFC has planted more than 58 cell churches in seven provinces of Cambodia. Their goal is to reach the remaining. From there, KFC will expand its work to Vietnam and Thailand.

KFC operates a Ministry Training Center in Phnom Penh, which trains an average of forty students per year. The one-year course offers training in evangelism and church planting, along with grounding in God’s word and much practical training. These indigenous workers have no cultural or linguistic barriers in presenting the gospel of Christ. $100 per month covers food, shelter and traveling expenses for a KFC worker. However, in Cambodia’s ravaged economy, finding support for trained, qualified workers remains one of the largest barriers to penetrating more of this country with the message of Christ’s love.

Prayer targets:

setan@kampforchrist.org www.kampforchrist.org

Kenya

Marafiki AIDS Ministry, Inc.

The mission of Marafiki AIDS Ministry is to provide food, shelter, medical care, education, a safe Christian living environment and loving support for children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. (Rafiki means “friend” in Swahili, from which it derives its vision of extending God’s unconditional love to ease the suffering of children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.)

The vision for Marafiki AIDS Ministry was begun in the heart of Rev. John Nganga in 1995 after he began work as a Chaplain Resident at Children’s Hospital in Columbus. In 1998, Marafiki began in Kenya. By 2002, a medical clinic was started, and later that year one of the first orphans was admitted to Union University in Tennessee to begin his studies to become a medical doctor!

As of January 2005, 31 children are in the orphanage in Kenya, 63 are attending High School and 115 are attending different elementary schools. Currently we have a student attending Columbus State Community College taking a double major in Nursing and pre-medicine. Another student has joined Law school in Kenya as of January 2005.

Prayer targets:

For more information about Marafiki AIDS Ministry Inc., please contact John Nganga at 409-0793, Donna Coolidge at 818-9452, or Molapo Kgabo at 770-424-0303.

Russia

Todd Roese

Todd continues in his missionary work in the Saratov Region of Russia, working with Pastor Pavel Taranov and the Saratov Word of Life Network of Churches. As leaders of the largest church in the entire region, an area larger than Ohio with less than 200 Christian churches, Todd and Pavel feel a spiritual obligation to reach their entire region with the Gospel. Currently, Todd works in 3 main areas: Church Planting, Missionary Activity and Evangelism.

Since 1998, seven additional Word of Life churches have been planted in the Saratov region.

Currently, Todd sends and directs over 35 Russian missionaries each week to ten different cities in every corner of the Saratov Region. Todd also works to organize and lead various large-scale evangelistic activities both within Saratov and throughout the region. Todd utilizes concerts, dramas, musicals, Christian films, acts-of-kindness outreaches, TV, radio, newspaper, and many other methods to win the lost to Christ.

A new opportunity has arisen for Todd and the Saratov Word of Life Network of Churches. As our churhes in Saratov have grown in the missionary work in their state, so has their desire to be used by God in the "unreached" areas close by Russia. In the late fall or early winter, Todd and Pavel, with the direct support of the Christian Community Network of Churches will begin a missionary training school. The full-time school will provide potential Russian missionaries training to start churches in Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Prayer targets:

E-mail: toddroese@hotmail.com

Mailing address:

Russia

Saratov 410004

Chernashefskaya 88

Tserkov “Slovo Ghizghni” for Todd Roese

Russia

Wycliffe Bible Translators

Ken & Linda Schmitt

Wycliffe Bible Translators is committed to what Christianity Today called "the most audacious Bible translation project ever." With over 6,000 languages in the world, Wycliffe realized that at the current rate of translation it would take another 150 years to even begin translation projects in the 3,000 languages that still needed them. So, in 1999 Wycliffe committed itself to Vision 2025: "Motivated by the pressing need for all peoples to have access to the Word of God in a language that speaks to their hearts, and reaffirming our historic values and our trust in God to accomplish the impossible, we embrace the vision that by the year 2025 a Bible translation project will be in progress for every people group that needs it."

Vision 2025 is about accelerating the pace of Bible translation so that a project is at least begun for every people group that needs it in this generation. In the four year period, 1999-2003, 256 new Bible translation projects were started, more than one a week. This average of 64 per year doubled the previous four-year high of 25 per year. In 2004, Wycliffe personnel were involved in 82 of 93 new Bible translation projects — the highest in Christian history. Christianity Today called it "Wycliffe in Overdrive."Ken and Linda Schmitt are involved through Ken's role as Director of the Americas Area. Because Wycliffe first started work in the Americas and has completed more translation projects in this hemisphere than in any other part of the world, the Americas Area has committed itself to accomplishing Vision 2025 goals by 2010. Under Ken's leadership, they are working to start a Bible translation project for every people group in the Americas that needs it. Moreover, they are also striving to complete as many of the current programs as possible by 2010 so that resources and personnel can be redeployed to strategic Vision 2025 needs around the world.A key part of Ken and Linda's role is developing key partnerships with the Latin American church to meet Bible translation needs not only in the Americas, but around the world through the involvement of Latin American missionaries.

Prayer targets:

www.wycliffe.org Wycliffe Bible Translators 407-852-3600

Better Way Ministries

Since March of 1986, THE BETTER WAY has provided a haven of hope to people in the notorious “Short North District” of Columbus, Ohio. Thousands of addicts, prostitutes, homeless, the broken-hearted and lonely and those who have just “fallen through the cracks” of life have found the life-changing power of Jesus Christ through THE BETTER WAY. Built on the foundation of pro-active street witnessing, dynamic Neighborhood Bible Studies, and need- oriented outreaches, THE BETTER WAY helps provide a better life for over ten thousand people each year. The vision of the ministry is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in a mighty and powerful way with signs, wonders and miracles following.

Outreaches:

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON - Saturday, May 7. MAKE MOM SMILE!!! Help us by collecting 8oz. Products from “BATH & BODY WORKS” —and by purchasing 60 door prizes. Delivery of all items on Saturday, April 30.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY — provides brand new book bags stuffed with brand new school supplies to 500 inner city kids and teens. Help by collecting supplies and donating money for our new book bags. Delivery by Saturday, August 6th.

THANKSGIVING DAY FEAST — This home-cooked feast served thousands of inner city poor in 22 different locations in 2004. Cook your favorite recipe and deliver it to us on Thanksgiving Day.

ADOPT-A-BLOCK — Coming on Monday evenings beginning in May. Go with us door-to-door, meet the people, pray for needs, and clean the block. This is FUN!

CHRISTMAS PROJECTS — Watch your newsletter and call us to help!!

Financial needs:

Our monthly financial need is a minimum of $13,000. Your gifts are tax deductible. Besides our evenings of street witnessing, in-home Bible studies and all of our outreaches listed above, your dollars at work through THE BETTER WAY in 2005 will provide: Thousands of lonely with a family, Hundreds with salvation and Bible study, 15,000 hot meals each month, Fast food gift certificates, Bus tickets, 6000 families with groceries, and Emergency assistance with rent, deposits & utilities.

Prayer targets:

Contact Information: Steve & Wanda Campbell 614-470-5176

Better Way Ministries, P.O. Box 25, Worthington, OH 43085

Befriending Visiting Students

International Friendships Inc.

International Friendships, Incorporated (IFI) is a ministry that aims to reach the world through international students living here in the United States. Many countries send there brightest here for schooling. Imagine the impact on their home countries if these people can be reached for Christ! IFI sponsors a Bible study which meets on Fridays near the campus for international students and scholars. There are currently 11 full-time staff persons, more than 150 volunteers, and over 350 students and scholars.

IFI is looking for volunteers to drive and interact with the students. They are also looking for Conversational English Partners who will spend an hour a week helping an international practice his or her English. There is also a need for administrative help in the areas of Volunteer Ministry and in the Ministry Center. If you would like to be involved, please call the IFI office at 294-2434 for more information.

International Friendships Incorporated has three missions:
  1. To see internationals raised up who in the years to come will be “oaks of righteousness” in their home countries (Isaiah 61:3).
  2. To train Americans in cross-cultural ministry to international students.
  3. To mobilize Christians in the Columbus area to reach the internationals on our doorstep. There are currently more than 6,000 international OSU students and scholars, along with their families.
Prayer targets:

Mission Columbus

Tyler Flynn

The vision of Mission Columbus is to bring the transforming power of the Gospel to bear on the spiritual and social needs of our city. 2004 was a banner year in this effort!

The Avondale Elementary School tutoring program was launched in October; twenty-five adults spend an hour a week helping inner city children with their reading and math skills.

The Center for Advanced Christian Education was launched in October. A total of thirty-seven people took courses in the fall and winter sessions.

Bill Mowry and I presented nine Making Friends for Heaven’s Sake seminars to twenty-one congregations; more than 350 people were trained in how to develop relationships with spiritually lost people. The Making Friends website was launched in November.

A steering team was formed for the 160 trauma response faith volunteers. This group will determine the future training requirements of the faith volunteers, communicate vital information to the volunteers and represent them on the Franklin County EMA volunteers advisory council.

Scores of pastors continued to meet monthly in eighteen Columbus communities for fellowship and prayer and to partner in ministry.

The Mission Columbus website received thousands of visits from Christians looking for local ministry resources and wanting to learn more about city reaching in Columbus.

Behind each of these 2004 headlines are a growing number of lives that are being touched with the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

Prayer targets:

Our church’s financial contributions and administrative support in 2004 made it possible for me to play a role in these groundbreaking ministries in our city. On behalf of the pastors, leaders, laypeople and children who have been impacted through our various ministries, thank you for your faithful partnership in reaching our city with the Good News.

Contact Information: www.missioncolumbus.net

Care for Families in Need

PLAN-CO

Have you ever given any thought to what would happen if you were a caregiver of a loved one with a mental or physical disability and you were suddenly unable to give the needed care? Do you have a friend or neighbor in this situation? PLAN-CO thinks about this all the time. As a matter of fact, this is our purpose — to give peace of mind to the caregiver of a mentally or physically disabled person when they are no longer able to care for their loved one.

PLAN-CO is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization that has been operating since 1999. Through your help we now have our own office and staff working directly with our clients to assist them in daily activities and in crisis situations that may arise. We do not duplicate any of the public services that our clients receive, but we do act as their advocate when it is needed.

In the central Ohio area we are unique in the services that we offer and as the laws and budget of the State continue to change there is a group of people that seem to fall into the cracks in the system. They do not need total state care and yet they do not qualify for some of the existing programs. Who is there to help people like this? PLAN-CO is there to help and to help the caregiver plan for the future. We offer PEACE OF MIND to the caregiver and assistance to the client at the same time.

We are looking to you for help. At times our community finds it easy to look away from some of our most difficult situations. Your prayers are needed as we work with our clients and as we work to make ourselves known around the community. Your contribution aids our staff in working with our clients. Currently we are developing an activity program that will provide social interactions for our clients. Volunteers are welcome!

Prayer targets:

If you have any questions please call: Greg Knackstedt, Executive Director at 614-586-4049 or call Al Acierno at 614-885-4441.

Serving the Women of Central Ohio

Pregnancy Decision Health Centers

Pregnancy Decision Health Centers (PDHC) seeks to provide competent and caring service to every woman in Central Ohio who may be considering an abortion because they lack information or support. To help meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of clients, a trained volunteer staff provides information and individualized support through one-on-one relationships, referrals, and on-going services.

Their services include:

24-hour hotline, a medical clinic offering ultrasound, free pregnancy testing, material aid for mother and baby, interim housing in host homes, HEART support group (Healing the Effects of Abortion Related Trauma), Life Plan (mentors), classes on many topics, crisis intervention, adoption support group, and abstinence counseling. Trained volunteers also help in many ways “behind the scenes” including office support and special events. There is room for You on their volunteer team!

Prayer targets:

Reaching Out to the Poor Because of Christ

Victory Ministries

Victory Ministries will celebrate 22 years of ministry on April 1, 2005. Founded in 1983 this outreach to the poor and needy in central provides food and clothing to the neediest among us. Since opening their doors they have distributed over 4.5 million pounds of food. Their primary goal, however, is to minister the good news of Jesus Christ to each individual who comes through their doors. Lloyd and Janice Craycroft are the directors.

They have taken the Old Testament admonition of Deut. 15:11 to heart: “The poor shall never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’” To this end, Victory Ministries sponsors a food and clothing pantry that reaches out to some of the poorer neighborhoods of Columbus. They have found that meeting a person’s physical need does indeed open the door for the gospel of Jesus Christ in that person’s heart.

In 2004 the Mission helped over 14,000 individuals through the various ministries. By God’s grace, they distributed over 210,000 pounds of food, thousands of clothing and household items, and many received the Lord for the first time! This past December they held their 22th annual Christmas Family Outreach where 1,025 families (3,471 individuals) received a Christmas basket, Bible, and new toys. Most importantly, 65 people gave their hearts to the Lord.

Victory Mission’s success lies in the cooperation of the Body of Christ at large. Working together, we can fulfill Jesus’ call to “Preach the Gospel to the Poor.” As a volunteer at the Mission, you may sort clothing, bag groceries, sign-in, work in the office or pray with a person in need. Victory Mission is privately funded by individuals, churches, and businesses that believe in what we do.

Prayer targets:

Contact:mail@victorymission.org

Web site:www.victorymission.org

Phone: 614-252-2500

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