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Tales from the Mission Field Responding to New Opportunities in Afghanistan-$100,000
Beth El Messianic Congregation, NY-$20,139.11
Beth El has had prior success through advertising, inviting people to Beth El. This grant will extend that advertising in three or four local Queens papers. The ads will focus on different life issues with Jesus as the solution. The ads will run for an extended period to increase recognition of Beth El in the Queens neighborhood. According to Pastor Marc Danzis, the grant will also purchase evangelistic materials including tracts, Bibles and flyers. |
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Afghanis
living under the Taliban suffered greatly economically, but also
as people. Many, especially women, were oppressed and forbidden
education. War, land mines and other troubles have contributed
to the many orphaned children. In spring of 2002 LCMS World Mission
and the People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO) evaluated
opportunities for humanitarian and developmental relief and found
unexpected openness among the Afghan people. There are vast educational
and medical needs, especially for women and children. Since early
2002 many Afghans have returned to their country and seem optimistic
about their future and open to change and new ideas. This grant
will provide seed money to support the LCMS staff necessary to
provide educational and humanitarian assistance to a people needing
to see the reality of God's love for them.
New
York City has the largest Jewish population in the world, a significant
portion living in Queens. Beth El Messianic Congregation in Queens
is the first Messianic congregation in the LCMS, yet has no visible
presence in the community in which it meets. It currently meets
in a sister LCMS church facility.