Gospel for Asia

Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This message is a sincere promise that guides the hands and hearts of parents around the world. Children are a blessing and an enormous responsibility. They are also little sponges that quickly soak up knowledge and experience to apply in their lives. A child will not forget their upbringing; God promised it. But when children — the most innocent people on Earth — are abused, neglected or pulled into a life of slavery, that “training” also stays with them for life and will shape the person they will become. Human trafficking is not just someone else’s problem; it’s everyone’s problem. It takes place in developing countries and in cities and small towns in the Western world every day. There are numerous reasons given, but they primarily distill to one thing: Profits for their owners. Make no mistake, human trafficking is a slightly more palatable term pas...

Every time I speak about missions to the Church in the West, I try early in my message to ask two very important questions: Why do you think God has allowed you to be born with such privileges, rather than among the desperately poor slums in our world? In light of the blessings you enjoy, what do you think is your minimal responsibility to those in this world who are suffering without the knowledge of Christ’s love? The Only Response: Sharing Those who have been born into affluence, freedom and divine blessings should be the most thankful people on earth. But along with the privilege comes a responsibility. The Christian must ask not only why, but also what he should do with these unearned favors. Throughout Scripture, we see only one correct response to abundance: sharing. To know more about this article, click here . Go here to know more about Dr. KP Yohannan: KPYohannan.org | GoodReads | Radio | Amazon | About

If the Apostle Paul had not brought the Good News to Europe, foundational principles such as freedom and human dignity would not be part of the Western heritage. Because the Holy Spirit instructed him to turn away from Asia and go west, Western nations have been blessed with their systems of law and economics — the principles that made them rich and free. Think a moment about the vast difference between your country and the poorer nations of the world. While many of us struggle with our weight, the poor in this world struggle to find their next meal. In most countries where GFA is supporting indigenous pastors, the gross national income per person was approximately US$1,500 a year as of 2014. By contrast, in some of the most economically developed regions of the world it was more than US$50,000 a year. And Christians in these countries, because they tend to live in the upper half of the economy, earn even more! To know more about the article, click here . Go here to know more about ...

02/05/2019 Washington D.C.(International Christian Concern) — International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on February 1, Pastor Tun Nu, who was kidnapped at gunpoint in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on January 19, has died. According to Gospel for Asia (GFA), the mission organization Pastor Tun is a part of, the 41-year-old pastor was killed along with several others who had been kidnapped by a rebel army in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, an area affected by the Rohingya conflict. He leaves behind his wife, three young children, and a church of more than 50 believers. During the nearly two weeks that Pastor Tun was missing, the local police and government forces were unable to locate him. A local pastor also recently told ICC that no one knew Pastor Tun’s whereabouts, and they received little help in searching for him. His comment expressing little hope for the pastor became a painful reality days later. “We are heartbroken to learn of Pastor Tun’s death, and we ask yo...

KP Yohannan, founder and president of Gospel for Asia, will be speaker for the next installation of the School of Christian Thought seminar on Sunday at North Boulevard Church of Christ.(Photo: Submitted) MURFREESBORO — K.P. Yohannan, founder and president of Gospel for Asia, will be speaker for the next installation of the School of Christian Thought seminar on Sunday at North Boulevard Church of Christ. Born in India, Yohannan was educated in biblical studies in the United States and pastored a church in Dallas before devoting his life to mission work in Asia. The School of Christian Thought invited Yohannan to speak because he has “a whole different world view” and perspective on American Christianity. “I think he has a unique ability to have insight into our culture and speak truth to us in ways that we can hear rather than somebody of our own nationality,” said Renee Sproles, associate director of the School of Christian Thought. “He’s just a penetrating and pro...

THIRUVALLA, KERALA, India — Believers Church Medical College Hospital gave new life to a one-year-old Indian boy and restored hope for his anxious parents when the medical staff at Believers Church Medical College Hospital (BCMCH) successfully performed a complex surgical procedure to repair a large hole in the boy’s heart. Aksar’s parents, both day laborers in the Palakkad district of Kerala, had become desperate in their search to find medical help for their search for help for their desperately-ill son. Mansoor and Sabira said that they had lost all hope after they had been turned away by three other hospitals. “Thankfully, this hospital was equipped with all advanced technologies and equipment which helped the doctors pull off this miracle.” They knew that time was running out when they turned to Believers Church Medical College Hospital in Thiruvalla. The obstacles still appeared insurmountable because Aksar had contracted pneumonia and the trip to BCMSH normally ta...

JHARKHAND — An Anganwadi [1] worker in Jharkhand recently praised a team from World Vision for its work with Jharkhand health officials to help reduce acute malnutrition in the state. Although the State of Jharkhand contains about 40% of India’s entire mineral reserves, nearly 80% of the people who live there are farmers. It is India’s 14th most populous state with 33 million people. According to the World Bank , 13 million (40%) of the residents live in poverty, ranking Jharkhand as the state with the second highest poverty rate. Malnutrition is pervasive. Over 45% of children under the age of five are stunted and underweight. IndiaSpend reports infant and child (under-five) mortality rates at 44 per 1,000 and 54 per 1,000, respectively. Over 71.5% of children under five and 67% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 are anemic as a result of malnutrition. The India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative 2017 recognized malnutrition as the leading risk factor driving...

Poverty. You know it when you see it — but, can you define it? A World Perspective Dictionary.com defines poverty as “the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; the condition of being poor.” It defines “poor” as “having little or no money, goods, or other means of support.” Poverty means not having enough money. Right? According to the World Bank, if you’re living on $1.90 a day or less, you’re living in extremepoverty. More than 750 million people fall into this category. But you can make more than $1.90 a day and still be poor. The World Bank has drawn two other poverty lines. If you live in a lower-middle-income country, like Egypt, India, and the Philippines, and make less than $3.20 a day you are considered relatively poor. If you live in an upper-middle-income country, like Brazil, Jamaica, and South Africa, and make less than $5.50 a day you are considered relatively poor. Pause for a moment to reflect that ...

Pastor Tun Nu (Photo: Gospel for Asia) A pastor in Myanmar has been killed after being abducted at gunpoint. Pastor Tun Nu was last seen alive when he was taken from his home the evening of Jan. 19. An armed rebel group forced him to leave his home, telling Nu their leader wanted to question him. Pastor Nu had been a missionary with Gospel for Asia in a troubled area of Myanmar. “He was killed along with several others who had been kidnapped by a rebel army in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, an area torn by Rohingya conflict. During the nearly two weeks Pastor Tun was missing, the local police and government armies were unable to trace him,” Gospel for Asia explained in a press release .” To know more about the article, click here . Go here to know more about Gospel for Asia: Youtube | Twitter | GFA Reports | My GFA | Instagram

SOUTH ASIA —  World Leprosy Day was observed on 27 January to raise awareness of the truth about what may be the most misunderstood disease on the planet. Having the disease is compounded by the indignities the infected must suffer. People with leprosy who have obvious deformities are relegated to isolated colonies where they are often abandoned as social outcasts by family and friends. Gospel for Asia-supported workers serving in 14 Asian countries have long recognized the pitiful plight of these people. Pastors and Sisters of Compassion regularly visit leprosy patients and colonies, offering food, supplies and medical care in the name of Jesus who loves them just as He loves those who have not contracted leprosy. The ostracization of people with leprosy is doubly compounded by draconian laws in some regions that prohibit leprosy patients from holding jobs, having a driver’s license or riding in public vehicles. In addition, global agency standards declare regions as “le...

Special report entitled “Seeking Justice & Defending Human Rights” conveys GFA’s concerns about the impoverished in Asia. Wills Point, TX (PRUnderground) February 20th, 2019 While welcoming an international day of awareness that turns the global focus on issues keeping millions in grinding poverty, missionary organization Gospel for Asia is year-round helping to bring relief to the underprivileged trapped in that cycle. In an ongoing series of in-depth articles addressing major social issues, Gospel for Asia looks at the reasons why “extreme poverty remains unacceptably high,” according to the World Bank, with parts of Asia among places where incomes for the poor are growing slower than average. Almost a quarter of India’s 1.3 billion population lives below the poverty line, the GFA report notes, surviving on less than $1.90 a day. And millions across Asia barely manage to eke out a living because of “a complex web of factors,” including social prejudice, gend...

WILLS POINT, TX — Gospel for Asia (GFA) was born 40 years ago when KP and Gisela Yohannan felt the call of the Lord on their lives to minister to the people of Asia in His name. Even before His specific calling was clear — and every day thereafter — their commitment has been to walk in the beauty of God’s holiness and trust Him to direct their paths. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.” — Isaiah 30:21 (KJV) Yohannan, a skinny 29-year-old at the time, could have continued to pastor churches in the comparative comfort of the United States. But that was not the way the Lord was telling him and his wife to go. In fact, the way He was telling them to go was humanly impossible. Looking back to 1979 and the founding of Gospel for Asia, KP and Gisela would acknowledge that they knew the path they were to follow, but they had no idea what marvelous and miraculous blessings the Lord had awaiting them along the journey. Here are ...

A two-story mansion was their home Rich in affluence they had all in this world Servants they had to do everything. Occasionally beggars came asking for help. One day a blind beggar came by the gate with his wife holding his hand. He got some help and they walked away still talking and laughing holding hands. To know more about the poem, click here . Learn more about Dr. KP Yohannan Metropolitan: Facebook | Radio | OnePlace | Sermon Index | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | About | Integrity | Book

I think of you I will call you I will wait for you I miss you much I wish you were here I can’t wait to see you Please come soon I trust you Only you You are mine I am yours I can’t think of life without you Thinking of you I need you To know more about this poem, click here . Learn more about Dr. KP Yohannan Metropolitan: Facebook | OnePlace | Radio | Sermon Index | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | About | Integrity

It is a mistake to think of suffering as just a “necessary evil.” It is not. The willingness to suffer is an awesome weapon  — a powerful instrument of war before which Satan is bound. Do you grasp that? Satan is bound by the weapon called your willingness to suffer! Throughout His ministry on earth, numerous times Satan tempted Jesus to avoid suffering and the cross. But in the end, the victory was won, and Satan was eternally defeated. How? Hebrews 2:14 tells us — “[Jesus destroyed] him who holds the power of death” through His death on the cross. Jesus did not overcome Satan when he: healed the leper raised the dead fed the 5,000 walked on water preached the Sermon on the Mount No! Little did Satan know, laughing as Jesus was dying on the cross, that the Son of God would destroy him through that very death —  through His suffering! Embracing Suffering Embracing of suffering is what we are called to imitate. Just like he did with Jesus, Satan tem...

Someone else cannot impose a life of suffering and hardship on you. It is something individually you must choose. Over and over again, Jesus continually made this choice to lay down His rights as the Son of God, ultimately consummating in His death. When the suffering of the cross came, when He was mercilessly beaten, spit on and mocked,instead of calling for legions of angels to come to His aid and stop it all —  He chose to suffer. We can say this is all good and necessary; we can know about the need to count the cost and accept suffering, but do we really choose this for our own lives? Daily Decisions If you want to do something significant with your life, you simply must choose to suffer, choose the path of suffering. It need not be suffering in the form of beatings, stonings, being knifed or having your Bibles burned. Rather, I am talking about daily living with the mind to let go of anything God asks us to release  —  whatever that may mean for you. Sh...

If you think carefully about it, I think you’ll come to realize that many evangelical Christians do not really believe the Word of God. And this is especially true of the Scripture passages that talk about hell and judgment. Instead, many believers selectively accept only the portions that allow them to continue living in their current lifestyles. C.S. Lewis, that great British defender of the faith, wrote, “There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this [hell] . . . . I would pay any price to be able to say truthfully, ‘All will be saved.’” But Lewis realized that was neither truthful nor within his power to change. Wishful Thinking It is painful to think about hell and judgment. I understand why preachers do not like to talk about it, because I don’t either. It is so much easier to preach that “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life,” or to focus on the many delightful aspects of “possibility thinking” and the...

I remember one point during the early days of GFA when I was traveling full-time for the ministry, and the strain was taking a heavy toll both on my family and on me. I was starting to burn out; I almost hated the work. Two factors were wearing me down: I felt like a beggar. It is hard on the flesh to be traveling and asking for money day after day and night after night. It was almost becoming a sales operation for me, and I stopped feeling good about myself. I was discouraged by the poor response —  especially from churches and pastors. Many days I called on people for hours to get only one or two new sponsors. Pastors and mission committees listened to me and promised to call back, but I never heard from them again. It always seemed as though I was competing against the building fund, new carpets for the fellowship hall or next Saturday night’s Jesus rock concert. Despite the solemn message of death, suffering and need I was presenting, people still left the m...

Tun N., serving with GFA Asia field partner, leaves behind a wife and three children. WILLS POINT, TX — Gospel for Asia (GFA, www.gfa.org ) is mourning the loss of one of its field-partner workers, a pastor who has been reported dead after being abducted at gunpoint in Myanmar, formerly Burma. The tragic death of Tun N., aged 41, was confirmed Feb. 1. He was last seen alive when he was taken from his home the evening of Jan. 19. Latest reports say he was killed along with several others who had been taken by a rebel group. “We are heartbroken to learn of Pastor Tun’s death, and we ask you to join us in praying for his wife and family, and his church at this time, that they may know God’s comfort, peace and strength,” said Gospel for Asia Founder Dr. KP Yohannan. Married with three children, Pastor Tun led a congregation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. During 20 years as a pastor, he had shared the love of Christ with many and started several fellowships. To know mo...

There was an elephant big and tall despised by all for he was mean. Alone he roamed through the woods terror to all shunned by all. One day he fell into a ditch no one came to help weeks he cried became weak died in solitude. To know more about this poem, click here. Learn more about Dr. KP Yohannan Metropolitan: Facebook | OnePlace | Radio | Sermon Index | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | About | Integrity | Book

Aravind walked around barefoot in ragged, worn-out clothes. He carried his books in a plastic bag. The skinny 7 year old lived in a humble mud house with his parents. Aravind’s “normal” was generational abject poverty. His family was so poor they could not even afford to buy rice, so their diet was not only meager but also severely lacking in the nutritional value a young boy needs to sustain normal growth. As is common among the poor, life for Aravind and his family was always complicated. His father, Hukka, was unable to find enough work locally to generate an income adequate to meet the most basic of his family’s needs. Because Hukka loved his family, he had to journey to a neighboring state to find employment. His long-distance commute meant he would be away from home for a month or more at a time, returning with wages he hoped would help his wife and son make it through his next absence. Yet, even what he wasable to earn was not enough. “There are countless young bo...

By Gisela Yohannan I would like to share with you a few thoughts about self-centeredness. I believe the Lord desires that we make room in our hearts for each other . Most people’s lives only revolve around themselves, their families and their possessions. Perhaps we grew up with strong family ties, and we were taught that all our efforts, energy and resources should benefit our own family. But when we look in the Bible, we discover that as believers, God has called us to far more: But with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others(Philippians 2:3–4). God expects my focus to change from me to you . This Scripture actually means that your spiritual and physical well-being must become my deep personal concern. I will no longer be satisfied if my own life exhibits love, joy, peace, humility and holiness; but I will earnestly desire for God to d...

“I visited two camps where those who are displaced by the catastrophic flooding in Kerala, India are staying,” says Gospel for Asia founder KP Yohannan. “I was able to meet with and pray for many.” To know more about the article, click here . Go here to know more about Dr. KP Yohannan: Amazon | About | Integrity | Facebook | Twitter

TUCKER, GA — The Ambassadors for Christ ministry began in 1948 as the fruition of the vision of Australian evangelist John Ridley to raise up Christian leaders who would establish churches “to penetrate Australia’s secular society.” Today, the ministry reaches into 22 countries on six continents. As the impact of the ministry, then known as the Australian Institute of Evangelism, was proven in Australia, the vision grew to include training foreign nationals and the group changed its name to Ambassadors for Christ International. The ministry recognized the wisdom shared in Dr. KP Yohannan’s ground-breaking book, Revolution in World Missions , and determined to use national workers to care for people in the countries in which they were born and raised, and bring hope through teaching and preaching. The ministry is built on the core objective “To glorify God by life and ministry as we seek to know Him and to make Him known to the nations.” Click here , to know more ...

“No longer will I yield to you,” said Moon to Sun. “No longer do I want to be used by you to shine your light. I am not your slave.” Night came. Earth looked for Moon, but she hid herself —  and it was dark. To know more about this poem, click here . Learn more about Dr. KP Yohannan Metropolitan: Facebook | Radio | Sermon Index | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | OnePlace | About | Integrity | Book