Meet our missionaries and catch a glimpse of what God is doing through Missions Door. Every day we hear incredible stories of how the Gospel is reaching new places and transforming more communities. When you sign up for our monthly email, you’ll be the first to receive encouraging stories and prayer requests from around the world.
Freddy didn’t really understand the concept of grace. How could he? The major influences in his life up to that point had not shared or demonstrated that grace. Instead, they told cautionary tales of a harsh world. They warned him to work hard and do well or he would quickly end up in a box under the interstate. Thankfully, his understanding and experience of grace will continue to grow from relationships with people like Tyler, groups like Damascus Road, and the true fingerprint of God in Freddy’s life. In his own words, Freddy said, “There’s still plenty of road to travel but it’s a road I’m happy to travel.”
For many, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. But we all know someone for whom the holidays are anything but merry. For the bruised, battered and brokenhearted, those who are grieving, and those whose circumstances are anything but what they would choose, it is hard to put on a happy face for Christmas.
The good news is that none of life’s difficulties, defeats or disasters are outside of the loving care of our God. In fact, Christmas came because our world was held captive to the sorrows and shame of a world ravaged by selfishness and brokenness, sickness and death.
The city of Donestk is in the center of one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises, a “Forgotten War”, now into its fifth year. Located just behind a 300-mile line of trenches and massive fields of land mines, every day brings more shelling to the city. Ten thousand people have died. A million and a half have fled. Every day there are more casualties. And yet, these missionaries have chosen to stay with their people and chosen thankfulness, just to be alive.
Did you know your pastor probably wants to quit? No sabbatical. Family tensions. No counseling. Ministry fatigue. No self-care. Conflict. No clear picture of what's expected. And no option to be weak when your congregation needs you to be strong. At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit, (Church Resource Ministries). Bob says he is a “poster child” for the power of God renewing a spirit. Through this experience, they became keenly aware of ministry individuals and couples across the nation that struggle with similar issues. Their personal experience and the statistics above, led the Lehmans back to Missions Door and compelled them to start the ministry, Mission Recharge.
“I believe God is choosing not to heal me because He wants to touch people’s lives through this ‘fragile jar of clay’.” Though struggling with Parkinson’s disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ruth Palnick has found that pain can be a beautiful bridge to evangelism.
This summer, our very own Aaron Palmatier was able to traverse down the Amazon River where 99% of the world will never set foot. Thirteen people, one boat, and many stops to provide medical care and other services to villages along the river, while also spending time in fellowship with the villagers. And while they set out to help others, God used others to help them. Stay tuned to hear more about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Dennis and Shelley Noble minister to the Five Points community in Denver, Colorado. They find that everyone has a story and every story needs a Savior.
Something had changed inside of him. He had personally experienced the saving power of Jesus Christ firsthand, and he could no longer deny it. Since that day, Paul has been ministering to Muslims and sharing the truth of Jesus Christ. Paul speaks around the world, evangelizing, sharing his testimony and teaching converts how to use mass media for apologetic teachings.
Rick Myers is a Missions Door Missionary Advocate and Short-Term Teams Coordinator. Today, he leads trips to Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. While he began his career as a salesman, Rick left the corporate world after 27 years to follow God’s calling on his life.
As we return to the growing crowd, I notice the festive decorations. A faded Cuban flag has been hung along with bright-colored sheets. All along the fence, the pillars, and beams Palm Branches have been tied and are now rippling in the wind. I point these out to the Pastor, and remark that they are all ready for Palm Sunday in just two more days. He looks back confused. “These decorations are not for Sunday. These are for today.” To decorate with freshly cut Palm Branches is a sign of great honor, reserved only to welcome in their most honored guests on the most special occasions.
