Gospel for Asia Pastor Plans Grocery Distribution

Last updated on: April 13, 2022 at 10:54 am By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing the hunger & needs amid the COVID-19 lockdown, the Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastor and congregation used by God to bring relief through grocery distribution.

GFA pastor Bhaskar hung up the phone after talking to yet another one of the 270 people who regularly attended his church. Coordinating a distribution program during the COVID-19 pandemic took an even greater amount of planning and care than usual, due to the precautions needed. There were definitely people in the area where he served who needed help.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Discussing the hunger & needs amid the COVID 19 lockdown, the GFA pastor and congregation used by God to bring relief through grocery distribution. — Pastor Bhaskar with two women blessed with food packages.

When the COVID-19 lockdown first went into place, Pastor Bhaskar urged his congregation to look for any ways to help needy families around them. The majority of villagers farm for a living; whether or not they went to bed hungry depended on if they could sell their crops at the market—but the lockdown kept them home. Food was in major demand; rice, tomatoes, potatoes and bottle gourds would be perfect items to distribute.

Pastor Bhaskar and his congregation helped 25 families by providing groceries.

Mohisha, a 48-year-old mother, received a bag of the much-needed groceries.

“I was thinking to whom I shall share my agony that I and my family members are going through,” she said.

“We do not have money to purchase anything that we need. … But today, in the right time, the church provided us vegetables and some other food items. As a family we are deeply grateful to the church pastor and believers for their love and care that they have shown us.”

Learn more about how to help those in need amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, giving food and aid to Coronavirus victims.

Learn more about the need for Disaster Relief Work and how you can help our Compassion Services teams provide things like food, blankets, medicine and other emergency supplies to disaster-affected people and villages across Asia.

*Names of people and places may have been changed for privacy and security reasons. Images are Gospel for Asia stock photos used for representation purposes and are not the actual person/location, unless otherwise noted.

Learn more about the national workers who carry a burning desire for people to know the love of God. Through their prayers, dedication and sacrificial love, thousands of men and women have found new life in Christ.

Learn more by reading these Gospel for Asia Special Reports:

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Gospel for Asia: Faithfully Serving Hope

Last updated on: April 13, 2022 at 11:15 am By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing GFA Bridge of Hope centers and GFA Sisters of Compassion teams that minister to the suffering especially to those worst affected by COVID 19 related hunger.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Discussing GFA Bridge of Hope centers & GFA Sisters of Compassion teams that minister to the suffering, to those worst affected by COVID 19 related hunger. — Villagers receive a meal at a Gospel for Asia (GFA) Bridge of Hope center.

GFA Bridge of Hope centers are serving as community kitchens while workers minister to families worst affected by COVID-19-related hunger.

In Jharkhand, Bridge of Hope staff set up a community kitchen and daily have fed 300 of those hardest hit by the crisis, including street dwellers and daily wage laborers.

Workers at two centers in Bihar identified the most needy in their area. After obtaining proper government permission, they provided food for 200 families, which was a great blessing to the communities. Recipients expressed joy and gratitude to leaders for showing love and remembering them in this difficult situation.

“I am very happy to have the yummy food,” said Abeer. “I and my family have been going through financial crisis for the last two months, but today we feel very happy.”

Another recipient, Ushta, said, “[The church] is the one who always helped us in our difficult situation, and I am so glad to receive the meal from them today.”

Praiksha in Madhya Pradesh had heard of people distributing food to the poor, but no one had reached him. After a Bridge of Hope event, he said, “I am now so happy that [the Bridge of Hope center] has given us essential items that we really needed. Thank you so much.”

Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Bridge of Hope staff set up “community kitchens” to help those in their communities. — Bridge of Hope staff set up “community kitchens” to help those in their communities.

Compassion for Migrant Workers Amid COVID 19

Gospel for Asia (GFA) Sisters of Compassion in Jammu ministered to migrant workers living in tents or one-room homes in the slums. Many workers have been separated from their families because of travel restrictions and have struggled financially because of not being able to work. The sisters gave them packets of groceries and assured them they would pray for each of the families’ needs.

Local police officers accompanied the Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers to ensure people followed the safety guidelines. The head constable also directed workers to a man and his son living beside the station who were in particular need and had sought help at the station just a few days prior. In response to the head constable’s request, this man also received groceries, for which he was very grateful.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Sisters of Compassion distribute groceries in a slum. — Sisters of Compassion distribute groceries in a slum.

After seeing the ministry and care for those in need provided by the pastors and Sisters of Compassion, one police officer offered to help them whenever they needed it.

“Good job,” he told them. “You have done a great effort. Thank you for the compassionate heart of yours.”

Palash, a father of three originally from Bihar, and his wife normally work in a box-manufacturing factory. But since the factory closed, they have been unable to earn an income.

“We had little rice and wheat flour,” Palash says. “Since we are from other states, I do not have a Ration Card to get groceries from the ration shop. I was anxious about the days ahead. But at the right time, you have given the necessary items for our food. … Thank you so much for having concerns about us.”

Jaiman is a widow from Chhattisgarh who works at the nearby pencil factory to provide for herself and her 4-year-old son, but she has been unable to do so with the factory’s closure.

“Thank you for the food items,” Jaiman said. “Almost all my groceries finished, and I was worried about the food, especially for my son. Now we will be able to survive with the grocery items for the next few weeks.”

GFA’s efforts such as those through Bridge of Hope and Sisters of Compassion are present throughout the year and serve as a natural conduit for showing the love of Christ in tangible ways during times of crisis. Click the above links to learn more about these ongoing programs.

Learn more about how to Help those in need amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, giving food and aid to Coronavirus victims.

Learn more about the need for Disaster Relief Work and how you can help GFA-supported Compassion Services teams provide things like food, blankets, medicine and other emergency supplies to disaster-affected people and villages across Asia.

Learn more about the Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope program and how you can make an incredible difference in the lives of children, bringing hope to their lives and their families, transforming communities.

Learn more about the Sisters of Compassion – those who are specially trained woman missionary with a deep burden for showing Christ’s love by physically serving the needy, underprivileged and poor.

Learn more by reading these Gospel for Asia Special Reports:

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Gospel for Asia Pastor’s Wife Sews 100 Face Masks for Children

Last updated on: April 13, 2022 at 11:18 am By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Bindhiya, her ministry in the slums alongside her husband, GFA pastor Sachitan, amid the Coronavirus lockdown.

Bindhiya leads a busy life serving Christ in partnership with her husband, Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastor Sachitan. When the COVID-19 pandemic kept Bindhiya at home, she felt powerless—but not for long.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Discussing Bindhiya, her ministry alongside her husband, GFA pastor Sachitan, amid the Coronavirus lockdown, sewing face masks for the slum children. — Bindhiya gave face masks to children in a nearby slum.

Bindhiya obtained a degree in nursing, but since marrying her husband, she takes care of people in very different ways. She faithfully serves the women of her congregation and community and leads the local Women’s Fellowship group. As an accomplished tailor, Bindhiya teaches girls in her church and women in her village how to sew. Many can now sew their own clothes.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: This girl told Bindhiya, “Thank you, didi [older sister], for this mask.” — This girl told Bindhiya, “Thank you, didi [older sister], for this mask.”

During the lockdown, compassion filled Bindhiya’s heart as she watched children wandering in her village and in the nearby slum. They played together without face masks, and she knew they risked transmitting the virus. Concern prompted her to action.

Bindhiya gathered all the cotton scraps she could find and sewed 100 face masks. Then she went to her village and the nearby slum and handed out the masks to children in need. She gave each child an extra mask to give to a friend. Soon, when other children saw their friends receiving face masks, they came and asked for masks too.

The children covered their mouths with the face masks right away, but Bindhiya could still hear grateful words spilling from their lips.

“Thank you for this mask,” said one boy. “I wanted one, but my parents could not buy it for me. Surely, I will wear a mask when I go out.”

Learn more about how to Help those in need amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, giving food and aid to Coronavirus victims.

Learn more by reading these Gospel for Asia Special Reports:

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Gospel for Asia-Supported Churches in Coronavirus Janata Curfew Lockdown

Last updated on: April 30, 2022 at 4:09 am By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed the nation of India under a 21-day Janata (all people) curfew to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic among the country’s 1.3 billion residents. He announced the nationwide lockdown on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

Although the number of reported cases and deaths due to the Coronavirus remain relatively low in India, the population density is a matter of significant concern. The higher the population density, the easier it may be for the virus to spread. India is home to an average of more than 450 people per square kilometer. The major metropolitan areas of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai each have more than 20,000 people per square kilometer.

Social distancing and isolating in place have already proven to be effective in staving the spread of the virus. A Janata curfew, ordering everyone to stay home, appears to be the best means the Prime Minister has at this time to protect his people.

Nonetheless, a complete cessation of activity could undermine a nation’s economy, even if it has been the fastest growing in the world.

So, what should churches do during a lockdown? Should they shut their doors, or should they continue to meet?

Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel for Asia (GFA World), has set an example for all church leaders by issuing a statement regarding is instructions to Gospel for Asia (GFA World)-supported churches impacted by the curfew.

“The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, called on the nation to show ‘resolve’ and ‘restraint’ as we together face the menace of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). In light of the speech, I would like to reiterate the fact that we stand together with the Prime Minister and the citizens of the country and are determined to do all we can to keep ourselves and our country safe. Heeding to the call of the ‘Janata curfew’ on Sunday the 22nd, I have instructed … that all our Sunday services … stand canceled all across the country. We must also avoid house visiting and prayer meetings unless it is an absolute emergency.”

What makes Yohannan’s message so significant is that is an example for all Christians, regardless of where we live. Yohannan’s commitment to Scripture is without question. Read Romans 13:1–2.

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Complying with a government shutdown, whether in India or in the United States, is not a matter of politics or personal preferences. It is a matter of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and His written Word. Failing to comply with a government order is not courageous. It is disobedience. Following the Prime Minister’s directive is the biblical thing to do. The right thing to do.

Pray for the examples of the all the believers in India and around the world to demonstrate obedience. Obedience is another hallmark of our faith. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” May we all be found doing so. The world is watching.

KP Yohannan has issued two statements about the Coronavirus situation found here and here.

GFA’s Statement About Coronavirus

Sources:

Forbes, India Is The Asian Blindspot In The Coronavirus Pandemic
Worldometers, Coronavirus Cases
BBC News, Indian coronavirus: Why lock down 1.3bn people?
BBC News, India coronavirus: Gambling on lockdown to save millions
Believers Eastern Church, Instructions to Dioceses and Parishes in India regarding Covid-19/Coronavirus
The Economic Times, Janata curfew is the only way to halt the pandemic in its tracks
Our World in Data, Which countries are most densely populated?

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Gospel for Asia Founder KP Yohannan Releases ‘Brutally Honest’ Book: Never Give Up

Last updated on: May 5, 2022 at 4:00 am By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Gripping account of K.P. Yohannan’s spiritual journey set for release April 28 as nearly half of Americans cite COVID-19 as ‘last days’ warning

The leader of one of America’s largest faith-based organizations reveals how his own faith in God and spiritual journey carried him through a “forest fire of grief and pain” in a “brutally honest” new book set for release April 28, 2020.

Global missionary statesman Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder and director of Texas-based missions organization Gospel for Asia (GFA, www.gfa.org), recalls how God led him through "the most difficult and loneliest time of my life" in a classic new book titled Never Give Up: The Story of a Broken Man Impacting a Generation. — **‘NEVER GIVE UP’:** Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder and director of Texas-based missions organization Gospel for Asia (GFA World), says God led him through a “forest fire of grief and pain” in a classic new book titled *Never Give Up: The Story of a Broken Man Impacting a Generation*, published by GFA Books and set for release April 28. Pre-order at www.nevergiveupbook.org.

Global missionary statesman Dr. K.P. Yohannan, founder and director of Texas-based missions organization Gospel for Asia (GFA), recalls how God led him through “the most difficult and loneliest time of my life” in a classic new book titled Never Give Up: The Story of a Broken Man Impacting a Generation.

The book release happens to come at a time when nearly half of Americans say they believe COVID-19 is a “wake-up call” to turn back to God and that the biblical “last days” are coming, according to a new poll by The Joshua Fund.

“My heart for this book is to strengthen the people of God for these last days,” said Yohannan, whose ministry has served the extreme poor in Asia for 40 years. “The closer we get to our Lord’s return, the more uphill the journey will become.”

The veteran leader — considered one of the most influential missionary figures of the past half-century — said: “We must reevaluate our priorities and become the people who will have the strength to stand. I hope and believe this book will help people to do that with new-found resolve.”

Yohannan’s previous books include Revolution in World Missions — which launched a groundbreaking movement of supporting national workers and has more than four million copies in print.

In Never Give Up, 70-year-old Yohannan openly discusses a grueling four-year legal battle and how it drove him to the depths of despair. Yohannan describes how great trials produce perseverance — and how he emerged from his brokenness inspired to show God’s love to a new generation.

The Choice: Not to Give Up

“The choice not to give up is mine — and it is also yours,” says Yohannan in Never Give Up. “I am certain you, too, have gone through, or are even now going through, your own Gethsemane,” Yohannan says, referring to the garden where Jesus agonized before his death. “Please believe me, the sun will rise. Hold on. Let us not forget God’s unchanging promise, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV).

Calling Yohannan a leader with “a pure heart, great passion and vision,” George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization (OM) International, described Never Give Up as a “history-making” account that will inspire and help others during troubled times in their lives.

“Without question, Gospel for Asia (GFA) is one of the greatest works of God in our generation,” said Verwer.

‘Brutally Honest’

Calling Never Give Up “brutally honest and refreshingly candid,” Skip Heitzig, senior pastor of Calvary Albuquerque, said: “I’ve known K.P. Yohannan for three decades. I’ve seen him in great triumph, and I watched him endure in great pain. His passion for untold millions of people is undeniable, and his passion for honoring Christ is equally so.”

Like the lion Aslan, a “Christ figure” in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, God shows up to encourage people during their most desperate moments, Yohannan says in Never Give Up.

“When you walk through grief and pain, you will see the Invisible One, and he will see you through,” said India-born Yohannan, whose ambitious vision is to bring physical and spiritual hope to 500,000 of Asia’s poorest children.

“One of the most encouraging things the Lord has said to me is: ‘At the end of your journey, I am going to be there, and you are going to meet me,'” Yohannan said.

Published by GFA Books, Never Give Up can be pre-ordered at www.nevergiveupbook.org. Media interested in select interviews and review copies should contact Gregg Wooding, InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 / [email protected]

About Gospel for Asia

Gospel for Asia (GFA) is a leading faith-based mission agency, bringing vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear the “good news” of Jesus Christ. In GFA’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,000 clean water wells drilled, over 11,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://press.gfa.org/news.

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews, ChristianPost, NYPost, MissionsBox

Source: Christian News Wire

Enjoying the Gospel for Asia Gift They Didn’t Want

Last updated on: May 6, 2022 at 8:27 am By GFA Staff Writer

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Discussing Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Nandin, the opposition he faced, and the hearts softened by God through the completion of the gift of a Jesus Well.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Drilling the gift of a Jesus Well — As Pastor Nandin tried to make sure the drilling of a Jesus Well went smoothly, angry villagers surrounded him.

In the area where Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastor Nandin ministers, people depended on water from rivers, canals and ponds. During the rainy season, the filthy water from these water sources often infected people with serious illnesses such as typhoid, dysentery and malaria. In other parts of this region, people have even died from these diseases because there are no nearby hospitals for treatment.

Wanting to improve people’s lives, Pastor Nandin requested a Jesus Well in a village where he was serving. The request was quickly approved, and within a few weeks, Pastor Nandin’s regional leader, Pastor Hammad, came to the village to inaugurate the drilling of the Jesus Well.

But instead of being welcomed with open arms, Pastor Nandin’s attempt to help the villagers turned suddenly awry. Soon, he found himself confronted by a crowd of angry villagers.

Community Lacks Interest in Good News

Even though the villagers direly needed this gift—something necessary to their health and wellbeing—they rejected Pastor Nandin’s attempt to help give them clean water.

They had rejected every gift he had tried to offer them—especially the most precious gift found in Jesus’ hope, peace and eternal life. When Pastor Nandin or other believers would offer literature sharing the Good News of Jesus, most people wouldn’t take it.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Women filling buckets with water from ponds. — People in the area where Pastor Nandin serves suffered from serious illnesses, such as typhoid and malaria, because they got their water from ponds. At the same time, they weren’t interested in the message of hope Pastor Nandin could share.

Opposition Nearly Halts Drilling of Well

Despite the people’s lack of interest in hearing about Christ’s love, Nandin’s heart still ached with genuine concern for them and their health.

Soon after workers began drilling the Jesus Well that Pastor Nandin had requested, trouble boiled over. It began with one person tossing away the workers’ buckets. Then another person damaged the casing pipes. When Pastor Nandin asked them to stop, he and the believers suddenly found themselves confronted by a mob of 20 people.

In the span of about three hours, angry villagers hit Pastor Nandin and two believers, and when other people, including Pastor Hammad and a community leader, tried to calm the situation, members of the mob struck them too.

The next day, Pastor Nandin, Pastor Hammad and the local believers joined together to ask the Lord for His protection. They continued praying daily, and after 15 days, they saw God answer by showing them favor, from the village chief.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: Group of people praying — After workers began drilling the Jesus Well, a group of hostile villagers tried to stop the well and assaulted Pastor Nandin and a few other people trying to keep the peace. The believers prayed for 15 days, and the Lord showed them favor, allowing them to finish drilling the Jesus Well.

“I will help you to complete the remaining work of this Jesus Well,” he told the believers, “and if someone will oppose you in this work, I will put him in jail without delay.”

Within a few days, the workers were able to finish drilling the Jesus Well with no more hindrances.

Once-Hostile Villagers Enjoy Clean Water, Learn About Christ

Now, as the villagers draw pure water from the well for their families’ needs, many are recovering from waterborne illnesses! Even those who opposed the Jesus Well and harassed Pastor Nandin and the believers in order to stop it from being drilled are now using the well.

As people see the good that’s come from the Jesus Well they had tried to oppose, they are now more curious about what Pastor Nandin has to say. Fourteen people from a neighboring village have also decided to start attending Pastor Nandin’s church for Sunday worship services, prayer meetings and other activities.

Christ’s love and hope have even transformed the life of Shami, the brother of one of the men who tried to stop the Jesus Well.

For three years, Shami had struggled to get a good night’s sleep. He and his wife asked Pastor Hammad to pray for him, and the pastor began visiting Shami and his wife regularly to pray and encourage them with words from Scripture.

In His mercy, God healed Shami, enabling him to sleep well at night. Shami and his wife entrusted their lives to Christ. Now they and their teenage daughter are attending Sunday services.

Gospel for Asia founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan: People drawing water from a Jesus Well. — Now the people in Pastor Nandin’s village—even those who once opposed the Jesus Well—are daily drawing clean water from the Jesus Well. Many are recovering from waterborne illnesses, and they are becoming more interested in the Lord.

Through the compassion of a pastor and the provision of a Jesus Well, God is showing people in this community how much He loves them. Now they are grateful for the gift and the message they once scorned.

You can share the hope of Christ with more lives by helping to provide clean water in communities that desperately need it.

Source: Gospel for Asia Featured Article, Enjoying the Gift They Didn’t Want

Learn more about how to provide pure, clean water to families and entire villages through a Jesus Well or a BioSand Water Filter.

Read the Gospel for Asia Special Report: Solving the World Water Crisis … for Good — Lasting Solutions Can Defeat an Age-old Problem

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Gospel for Asia Warns Coronavirus Could Intensify Due to Global ‘Handwashing Crisis’

Last updated on: May 17, 2022 at 12:39 pm By KP Yohannan

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – Hundreds of millions of people around the world can’t take the most basic precaution against the coronavirus or other diseases — because they don’t have clean water or soap to wash their hands, mission agency Gospel for Asia (GFA World) warned recently.

Marking World Water Day, March 22, GFA says millions worldwide don't have clean water, soap to wash hands in battle against coronavirus — **HANDWASHING CRISIS:** Hundreds of millions of people around the world can’t take the most basic precaution against coronavirus — because they don’t have clean water or soap to wash their hands, warns mission agency Gospel for Asia (GFA) on the eve of World Water Day, March 22.

Experts say one of the most effective ways to halt the deadly virus — which has killed almost 8,000 people worldwide so far — is to wash hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds.

“Many people are terrified and living in fear right now,” said Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founder Dr. K.P. Yohannan, to mark World Water Day, March 22, an annual awareness event. “But with more than 2,000 people—mostly kids—who die every day from diarrhea alone, simply because they don’t have access to clean water to drink or wash their hands, that helps put things in perspective.

“For hundreds of millions of people, the coronavirus, though dangerous, is the least of their problems.”

The coronavirus — known as COVID-19 and declared a global pandemic — has spread to more than 160 countries and every U.S. state, with numbers climbing daily.

Stepping up its campaign to promote handwashing as the “frontline defense” against the coronavirus, the Global Handwashing Partnership, a coalition of health agencies, said handwashing with soap could reduce acute respiratory infections like the coronavirus by nearly 25 percent.

“Handwashing with soap is easy and saves lives,” the coalition said.

But for more than half the world’s population, “handwashing with soap and clean water is not easy at all,” said Yohannan. “It’s a problem we as a ministry have been actively helping to combat for years.”

According to the United Nations, 4.2 billion people around the world lack basic sanitation, including handwashing facilities that many in developed nations take for granted.

Under ‘Water Stress’

To make matters worse, the UN reports two billion people worldwide — one in every four people on the planet — live in regions experiencing “high water stress” or acute water shortages, primarily in South Asia and Africa. And a quarter of Earth’s major cities face a water crisis too, as detailed by Gospel for Asia (GFA) in The Global Clean Water Crisis.

“While we simply turn on a tap and press a soap dispenser, countless millions of people have to trek miles on foot to a communal well if they’re fortunate — or to a dirty watering hole if they’re not,” said Yohannan, whose Texas-based mission has helped the extreme poor in Asia for four decades, providing thousands of clean water pumps called Jesus Wells that supply entire villages.

In Asia’s slums, Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Bridge of Hope centers teach tens of thousands of children how to protect themselves against viruses like COVID-19 by practicing safe hygiene habits such as frequent handwashing.

“Gospel for Asia (GFA) applauds the efforts of agencies and governments around the world to promote handwashing and stop the coronavirus,” Yohannan said. “As our ministry serves the poorest of the poor in the name of Jesus, we also want to draw attention to the fact that, as we mark World Water Day, millions upon millions of people are unable to even properly or safely wash their hands — and we have to change that.”

About Gospel for Asia

Gospel for Asia (GFA World, and affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) is a leading faith-based mission agency, bringing vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear the “good news” of Jesus Christ. In GFA’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,000 clean water wells drilled, over 11,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://press.gfa.org/news.

Media interested in interviews with Gospel For Asia should contact Gregg Wooding at InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 or gwooding@inchristcommuications.com

Source: Christian News Wire

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

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Staying Apart, While Coming Together — No Contradiction for Body of Christ

Last updated on: May 18, 2022 at 10:48 am By Danny Yohannan

WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by Dr. K.P. Yohannan – The following is a statement from Bishop Danny Yohannan, Vice President, Gospel for Asia, concerning the current Coronavirus crisis:

Statement from Bishop Danny Yohannan, Vice President, Gospel for Asia, concerning the current Coronavirus crisis — Gospel for Asia (GFA World) VP, Bishop Danny Yohannan

The coronavirus COVID-19 is now impacting our daily lives, and — for many of us — consuming our thoughts and conversations every hour. It’s also driving us into physical isolation as many of us self-isolate and try to stay home as much as possible to lower our risk of contracting and spreading the disease.

A majority of churches around the world have even cancelled their services and/or switched to a streaming platform instead of meeting in person. But in this time of unprecedented isolation, we — the Church — need to come together like never before. We might have to socially distance ourselves from others physically — but we must allow this crisis to draw us closer to each other in our hearts, minds, and Christ-like actions.

“Separate, yet come together” — it seems like an oxymoron, a contradiction. So, how do we do that?

Come together with God.

It’s vitally important for every one of us to draw closer to God during this anxious time, so that He may draw closer in a personal way to each of us. In times of trial and tribulation, God’s people have always run to the outstretched arms of God, and the love of God has flooded them with His light, peace, and hope.

Come together as a family.

This is a life-changing moment when we can choose to invest our precious time with our loved ones: encouraging them, talking with them about things that really matter, laughing together over memories, and praying together as a family—especially praying for those suffering with the virus and for wisdom for the leaders of our nation. Also let us never forget to pray for God’s mercy and grace for millions who still wait to hear about the love of Christ for the first time. Let’s be careful not to waste this opportunity.

Come together as a community of believers.

We might be separated in body but we will always be together in spirit and in prayer. Use the full range of today’s communications tools — phone, social media, video chat, teleconferencing, live streaming — to stay connected to your fellow believers, the Body of Christ. This is crucial — and with modern technology there’s no reason why we need to become spiritual castaways. Thanks to the incredible technology available to us, following the Scriptural command to “forsake not the assembling of yourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25) is possible anywhere, any time, in real-time.

Come together to serve the most vulnerable.

At this time of fear and uncertainty, let’s not forget the most vulnerable among us — the elderly, those with health issues, the homeless, and the poor — as well as those around the world with personal crises that can be utterly devastating (Matthew 25:40). I assure you: COVID-19 will not stop Gospel for Asia (GFA) serving the most vulnerable families and children across Asia, and showing them the love of God in both word and deed.

Come together during Lent by putting our focus on God.

As we are being encouraged to socially isolate ourselves, let us remember we are in the season of Great Lent. Rather than “social isolation,” we can practice “ascetic prayer.” We can turn this into a God-focused time as we all use this chance to quietly pray and intercede for those around us, and for those who are suffering. May God be merciful to us all as we cry out to him. Kyrie Eleison (God, have mercy).

Finally, COVID-19 might stop us gathering together in our traditional worship settings, but it will NEVER stop the Church! We will fight this crisis on our knees in prayer — and we will fight it together. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is able to separate us from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).

About Danny Yohannan

Danny Yohannan is vice-president of Gospel for Asia (GFA), a leading faith-based mission agency, bringing vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear the “good news” of Jesus Christ. In GFA’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,000 clean water wells drilled, over 11,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://press.gfa.org/news.

Source: InChrist Communications

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Media interested in interviews with Gospel For Asia should contact Gregg Wooding at InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 or [email protected]

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Come together with God.

Come together as a family.

Come together as a community of believers.

Come together to serve the most vulnerable.

Come together during Lent by putting our focus on God.

About Danny Yohannan