Back to God Ministries International / ReFrame Ministries International
For Such a Time As This
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
These words from Esther 4:14 became a recurring theme for Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI) in 2020. Time and time again, God used media to share his good news around the world despite the devastation caused by COVID-19.
Because of COVID-19, media for church services and spiritual development was no longer an option, it was the option. And because of more than 80 years of support from Christian Reformed congregations, BTGMI was in a position to lead churches at such a time as this.
In Indonesia, about 10,000 people watched online church services on our newly-launched YouTube channel. A state-owned television station in Mexico—a station that almost never airs religious content—asked our Spanish ministry team to produce Christian programming for people quarantining at home.
These incredible opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel in Indonesia and Mexico multiplied across all 10 of BTGMI’s language ministries.
Churches and individuals who never used media before now know that it can strengthen their own spiritual walks and in sharing the Gospel message with others.
Because of the CRC’s support for BTGMI, God’s people were prepared for such a time as this. Many people already had a favorite Gospel-centered radio station, television program, or website they could go to in a time of crisis. What’s more, new people found these programs for the first time and heard the Gospel in a new way.
May these closing words from Olga in St. Petersburg, Russia, encourage you.
"Before this lockdown I had very little interest in online Christian ministries. But when we got stuck at home I discovered that I can hear sermons and participate in church services and Christian fellowship online. Now I'm so thankful to God and everyone who is involved with your ministry!"
To learn more about and review financial information from BTGMI, read the PDF report.
These words from Esther 4:14 became a recurring theme for Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI) in 2020. Time and time again, God used media to share his good news around the world despite the devastation caused by COVID-19.
Because of COVID-19, media for church services and spiritual development was no longer an option, it was the option. And because of more than 80 years of support from Christian Reformed congregations, BTGMI was in a position to lead churches at such a time as this.
In Indonesia, about 10,000 people watched online church services on our newly-launched YouTube channel. A state-owned television station in Mexico—a station that almost never airs religious content—asked our Spanish ministry team to produce Christian programming for people quarantining at home.
These incredible opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel in Indonesia and Mexico multiplied across all 10 of BTGMI’s language ministries.
Churches and individuals who never used media before now know that it can strengthen their own spiritual walks and in sharing the Gospel message with others.
Because of the CRC’s support for BTGMI, God’s people were prepared for such a time as this. Many people already had a favorite Gospel-centered radio station, television program, or website they could go to in a time of crisis. What’s more, new people found these programs for the first time and heard the Gospel in a new way.
May these closing words from Olga in St. Petersburg, Russia, encourage you.
"Before this lockdown I had very little interest in online Christian ministries. But when we got stuck at home I discovered that I can hear sermons and participate in church services and Christian fellowship online. Now I'm so thankful to God and everyone who is involved with your ministry!"
To learn more about and review financial information from BTGMI, read the PDF report.
Resonate Global Mission
Finding Hope in the Lord
The 2018 crisis in Nicaragua traumatized many Nicaraguans. People were killed or wounded in violent protests and differing ideologies caused rifts in relationships. Many people looked to their pastors—pastors such as Lourdes, the pastor at Getsemani Assemblies of God in Leon—for guidance.
But Lourdes didn’t feel equipped to handle the emotional trauma.
“[It] was like an explosion for me, having a lot of things locked up,” she said. “I always felt a little hypocritical [conveying to] people a heart of peace and well-being...” she remembered.
Then Lourdes received a call from the Nehemiah Center, a Resonate partner ministry in Managua. They told her about a tool called trauma-healing—a curriculum that brings people together in order to work through pain and find healing in God. The Nehemiah Center was testing it out with local pastors, and Lourdes knew she needed to be there.
Lourdes was ready to heal and help others find healing, and the trauma-healing workshop led by the Nehemiah Center provided tangible steps she could take.
“I started to get everything out,” she said. “I felt relaxed. I felt peace. I felt a desire to move forward … I thought: I need to do this with members of my church.”
With funds from Resonate and other organizations to help support their work, the Nehemiah Center worked with Lourdes and other pastors to lead more trauma-healing workshops.
They trained Lourdes to lead circles, and Lourdes trained 13 women from her church. She says she can see the transformation in herself and her congregation.
The healing circles helped Lourdes and members of her congregation find healing and share God’s peace with their neighbors.
“[It’s] the gospel that changes … the gospel that has hope in the Lord.”
Watch a video about this ministry at www.resonateglobalmission.org/healing
To learn more about and review financial information from Resonate Global Mission, read the PDF report.
But Lourdes didn’t feel equipped to handle the emotional trauma.
“[It] was like an explosion for me, having a lot of things locked up,” she said. “I always felt a little hypocritical [conveying to] people a heart of peace and well-being...” she remembered.
Then Lourdes received a call from the Nehemiah Center, a Resonate partner ministry in Managua. They told her about a tool called trauma-healing—a curriculum that brings people together in order to work through pain and find healing in God. The Nehemiah Center was testing it out with local pastors, and Lourdes knew she needed to be there.
Lourdes was ready to heal and help others find healing, and the trauma-healing workshop led by the Nehemiah Center provided tangible steps she could take.
“I started to get everything out,” she said. “I felt relaxed. I felt peace. I felt a desire to move forward … I thought: I need to do this with members of my church.”
With funds from Resonate and other organizations to help support their work, the Nehemiah Center worked with Lourdes and other pastors to lead more trauma-healing workshops.
They trained Lourdes to lead circles, and Lourdes trained 13 women from her church. She says she can see the transformation in herself and her congregation.
The healing circles helped Lourdes and members of her congregation find healing and share God’s peace with their neighbors.
“[It’s] the gospel that changes … the gospel that has hope in the Lord.”
Watch a video about this ministry at www.resonateglobalmission.org/healing
To learn more about and review financial information from Resonate Global Mission, read the PDF report.