Gospel for Asia

Ashley, serving with GFA since 2012, shares her experiences as a School of Discipleship student and then as a behind-the-scenes missionary in the Mission Support Team. Her life and journey with Jesus has grown through the encouragement of being involved in the Christ-centered, missions-focused community. I was only 18 years old when I decided to leave my home and family in Pennsylvania and come to Texas to join GFA’s School of Discipleship (SD). During my SD year, it wasn’t so much the classes and the books I read that impacted me, although going through the books and classes were a good thing. It was seeing the Christian life lived out in a Christ-centered community that really impacted me and still does today. God spoke to me a lot that year through some godly leaders here at GFA, who encouraged me to pursue Christ with all my heart. I can say without a doubt that this is exactly what my journey has been: pursuing God with all my heart and seeing others pursue Him too. I only planne...

One day after a Sunday morning worship service a couple months ago, I was sitting on the couch in my living room watching a movie when I heard a knock at my front door. I hopped up, half expecting to greet one of our friendly neighbor kids from across the street. Who I found instead upon opening the door was a couple of our School of Discipleship students. “Hey guys, what’s up?” I asked. “Hi,” one of them said, shifting from one foot to the other. “We’ve been walking around the neighborhood this afternoon asking people some questions and wondered if you had a couple of minutes.” “Sure, I have a little time,” I smiled, seeing where this conversation was headed. “What’s on your mind?” “We’re wondering if you know who Jesus is?” Not missing a beat, I played along. “Yeah, they talk about Him in church all the time…” And so began our conversation about Jesus Christ and why we need Him to be our Savior. You see, among the many other spiritual disciplines that young adults learn about and le...

Gospel for Asia (GFA) News, Wills Point, Texas — Every institution, organization or program claim they exist because of differences that make them distinctive. The rationale is reasonable. The significance is not the difference. It is the distinctives. There are two Scripture verses that eloquently describe what makes GFA School of Discipleship (SD) distinctive and, therefore, different. John 3:30– “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Matthew 22:37-39– “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Though not officially parts of a motto or tagline, these texts are existential explanations for the School of Discipleship. They also represent the day-to-day value in the year-long discipleship program designed to train young Christian people who are hungry for God and who desire to serve Him. More of Christ. Less o...

When I came to Gospel For Asia’s School of Discipleship I didn’t know what I was getting into (in a good way). I was shocked by how loving and friendly the community at Gospel For Asia ( GFA ) was. I didn’t just go to class, eat, sleep and repeat; I lived life surrounded by people who loved Jesus. They chose to invest in me and my classmates. Many of the families here “adopt” different students and pour into them in deeper ways. After two years in the program, I felt like I had an additional family here. While it was difficult being away from home for two years, the Lord gave me people here who loved me for me. I watched how the staff acted in an office environment, but I also saw them be laid back at home and in everyday life situations. They shared their struggles and stories with me. I learned from them and their walks with the Lord. He put people in my life who had similar struggles and those who were further along in their walks than I was to help me see Jesus. A GFA School of Di...

There is an amazing report from the field about an 80-year-old man named Naitik who heard about Jesus for the first time through a GFA-supported pastor. The story describes how through prayer and the power of Christ, the lives of this man and his wife were radically and miraculously changed. “Although I had spent my whole life in darkness, now I have found light in Jesus. He is really God,” Naitik said. “I want to live for Him for the rest of my life.” When I read reports like this, it’s a wonderful reminder to me that by serving here on staff at Gospel for Asia, I’m making a difference for God’s kingdom. As far back as high school, I can remember wanting my life to be productive and mean something. I’ve been on staff with Gospel for Asia (GFA) for about four years now and consider it an honor that my vocation is within a ministry having such an incredible impact . I know we, as Christians, can bring glory to God in our work no matter what our job is. Verses like Colossians 3:23 have...

I never knew worship like what I experienced at GFA’s School of Discipleship (SD). Before coming to SD in 2015, I had a pretty small vision of what worship was. I saw it as only singing and maybe some instruments playing, and it had to be a certain way mainly on Sundays. During my time in SD, I learned a variety of ways to worship with the community at Gospel for Asia. Whether it’s singing, playing instruments, doing lawn work, preparing food, serving in campus work days, listening to others’ struggles, or cleaning up after roommates, I learning to bring Christ into everything. Brother KP often refers to a little booklet written by Brother Lawrence called “Practicing the Presence of God” and how important it is to invite God into everything and live your life for Him. Throughout my two years in the SD program, I learned that everything I do in my life can be an act of worship unto God. I could experience His presence not only in corporate times of worship, but also in private times, a...

Bob Mayo went to be with the Lord on December 18, 2017. He served faithfully at Gospel for Asia for the past 21 years, and his passing leaves a hole in many of our hearts. Known to many around GFA as “Uncle Bob,” he was marked by his gentleness, his humility and by how much he loved others. Robert Mayo | April 16, 1947 – December 18, 2017 He is preceded in death by his dear wife, Alice, who passed away just before Christmas five years ago. Throughout the years, Bob served in many aspects of Gospel for Asia’s ministry. He led the Missions Department and the Fulfillment Department at different times. He also served in Admissions in School of Discipleship, and taught several classes in the discipleship program. Most recently, he was a Ministry Partnerships representative. His hands have touched countless missionary profiles, linking them with sponsors around the world; he managed people and packages with both love and excellence; and he called, wrote letters to, prayed for and encouraged ...