Peter was in a very restrictive colony and knew there was something better than following rules in the hope of perhaps making it to heaven. But the rules were a cage that kept his soul imprisoned and he wanted freedom in Jesus. He now works to bring understanding, surety of eternal salvation, and new life to many within hearing distance of the radio station, which he manages.

We, Reza and Bahar, are Afghan but were born and raised in Iran. Through a Farsi-speaking church, we immigrated from Iran to Turkey. There, we were discipled and began our ministry among the Afghan people in 2017, primarily through online outreach.

We find ourselves in very interesting conversations as a ministry in Winnipeg’s North End these days. Though our foundation is firmly placed on Jesus Christ, we are constantly pressured to compromise that foundation. If we did, all kinds of financial support would come our way, so I understand how many Christian ministries fall into the temptation.

We are all familiar with Paul’s metaphor in his letters of the church being a body, and it is common to talk about being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. A number of years ago, we noticed one part that doesn’t usually get attention: the ligaments.

A mixed group of people from a Muslim community meet almost every day online to translate Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels into their mother tongue. One of them said passionately, “Jesus’ teachings are important for everyone; we need to make them accessible to all the people in the area, so that their communities can be changed by them.”

FOMO. I keep hearing that word, which stands for fear of missing out. It reminds me of another word loneliness. As Sheldon and I work in our member care role, people often tell us how lonely they are and how much they long for deeper friendships. I think FOMO and loneliness are pretty common. To be honest, I have struggled with them too.

I have had the privilege of living out what I once only dreamed of as a young man. I remember asking God to make it possible for me to work as a singer-songwriter in a way that would allow me to provide for a family in a stable and healthy way. For more than thirty years now, that prayer has been answered, and I am deeply thankful.

The team serving in Poplar Hill landed just as the electricity went out in the whole community. The team adapted along with the community until the lights came back on, Albert Martens writes, and despite the surprise at the start he says they had one of the best “camps” ever.

The long delays and endless hurdles of shipping desperately needed planes overseas is the focus of Ellen Koop’s feature. She shares about having faith when the answer to their prayers takes years.

“A teenage boy walks along his colony road carrying his Bible. One evening he runs into a group of his friends who have alcohol and are planning to party.” Nancy Friesen tells this story as she shows how God is working in Bolivia.

On June 6 and 7, the Board of Missions had the privilege of hearing Jayda Brandt, Jenny Klassen and Mark and Gillian Wiewel share about their calling into missions. All four were formally accepted as EMC associate missionaries.

A year ago in April, fear was lurking in Achokia. As OGC’s Civil War raged into its fourth year, disturbing news was filtering up to the remote mountaintops of Achokia.