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.

Breaking a cycle of revenge through training and example, these church planting teams are multiplying in East Africa.

A five-person work team from Canada together with national workers experienced with brick construction worked on a church ministry building despite the language barrier.

I grew up with Bible camp songs, VBS crafts, and youth group nights filled with laughter, learning, and late-night snacks but in Peru, children’s ministry is still emerging.

Our Beyond Borders colleague, who pastored among fellow civil war refugees in Uganda, reflected on the dehumanizing treatment many displaced persons experience, often being labeled as threats, burdens or cultural invaders. “The movement of refugees,” he said “should be seen not just as a crisis, but as part of God's divine plan.

What does it look like to sacrifice for the glory of Jesus? For some of the new friends that our MissionX3 team met in Spain, it meant they walked away from Islam and decided to follow Jesus. It meant more than just leaving a religion.

Returning home after spending time in my host country often brings unexpected challenges. One of the most surprising struggles is the question of identity—how I see myself, how others see me, and how I introduce myself in different contexts. When I’m overseas, I expect to navigate cultural differences. But at home, I don’t expect to feel foreign—yet I do.

For Dave and me it was our second time to Nicaragua. It was great to see the camp we worked at in 2010 when Lester and Darlene Olfert were there—the same custodian was still taking care of the camp.

The country of France is known for its secular culture, its magnificent cathedrals that attract more tourists than worshipers, and a catholic religion that has diminished in importance and influence in the past 50 years. Many people are unaware of the love for God, the power of the Holy Spirit and the faith in Jesus Christ that are shining lights in communities across the country.

Many know Venus Cote. Whether it's from watching Tribal Trails, hearing her speak at churches, prisons, and schools, or being welcomed into her home, Venus is known for her outpouring of love and testimony of God's power. 

♪ In my neighbourhood they call me Abd al-Haqq. It started because some of my friends couldn’t remember my name; others couldn’t pronounce it. One guy was calling me “Android” and another was calling me “Mustafa.” It was finally settled one morning when the guard from my son’s preschool definitively stated that I should be called “Abd al-Haqq.”

♪ Gordon and Sharon Skopnik have been serving South Sudanese refugees for 21 years and have seen for themselves that helping can end up hurting.