A Virtue Cycle | the Reach October 2026

by | Oct 28, 2026 | Diaspora, Field Story

Dear Friends,

We are all familiar with the concept of a vicious cycle—one destructive action leading to another, and then another. Recently, however, I heard a spin on this idea—the virtue cycle. A virtue cycle begins when one faithful act sparks another, creating a ripple effect of blessing, transformation, and Gospel impact.

In a world where Satan so often wreaks havoc through vicious cycles, it can be easy to lose sight of the redeeming virtue cycles where the Lord is powerfully at work.

One example comes from a city in the former Soviet Union where World Outreach worker B* has faithfully invested years of ministry. More than a decade ago, B led a seminar on how Christians can serve faithfully in society. Among those attending was a young pastor whose imagination was ignited as he caught a vision for what God could do through Christian leadership.

Not long afterward, that young pastor became the mayor of his city. Over the years, he has grown into an exceptional leader known for his integrity and faith. Recently, B returned to visit the city and preach at the church the mayor now attends.

“It was a perfect picture of how our work of training leaders for service in society inspires and uplifts the churches, expands their witness, and multiplies their impact,” B reflected.

The impact extends far beyond the church walls. Under this mayor’s leadership, the city has experienced remarkable economic growth. International companies have chosen it as the base for their operations in the country because they trust the city’s leadership. In a region where corruption is common, this mayor’s refusal to accept bribes and his commitment to honesty have distinguished both him and his city.

And the virtue cycle continues.

Inspired by his example, three other pastors in neighboring cities have also become mayors. As B explained, “Change one leader’s life, see that change other nearby leaders’ lives, and watch it spread through a nation over decades.”

God is at work. The soil is fertile. Lives are being transformed by the power of the Gospel, and that transformation is flowing into churches, communities, governments, and entire regions.

Stories like this are the result of the steady, day-by-day faithfulness of World Outreach workers. They show up year after year, investing in people, building relationships, and trusting God for the harvest. The joy of seeing communities transformed requires perseverance, dedication, and a deep reliance on the Lord.

But those who go are not the only ones called into God’s mission. Every World Outreach worker is sustained by faithful believers who pray, encourage, and give. The ministry that began with one seminar, shaped one pastor, and is now influencing an entire region was possible because others chose to partner in the work.

Will you help create the next virtue cycle? Your prayers and financial support enable World Outreach workers to continue investing in leaders, strengthening churches, and sharing the hope of the Gospel in places where transformation is desperately needed. As you give, you become part of these stories of changed lives, thriving communities, and the ongoing work of God’s kingdom around the world.

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*First initial given to protect identity

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R&R on the Field | the Reach September 2026

by | Oct 7, 2026 | Field Story

Dear Friends,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28

Every three years, the entire World Outreach community comes together for Family Gathering, a week filled with fun, encouragement, fellowship, and worship. This highly anticipated event provides workers and their children with an opportunity to reconnect, be refreshed, and spend meaningful time with one another.

One worker especially looking forward to the event was K, who serves in a Muslim country and is the mother of several young children. Summers where she lives are long, hot, and dry, and she and her family eagerly anticipated the reprieve that Family Gathering would bring. Hosted at a beautiful resort in Cyprus, the event conjured visions of the Mediterranean Sea, sparkling pools, and abundant food. Those expectations helped sustain the family through many long and grueling summer days.

When the long-awaited date finally arrived, K and her family checked into the resort and began reviewing the schedule for the week. What K had not anticipated was a program that included not only time to enjoy the Mediterranean, pools, and food, but also structured times of worship, teaching, and equipping. As she looked over the week ahead, her heart sank.

“I just wanted a break,” she sighed to her husband.

What K did not realize at the beginning of the week was that God was about to meet her and minister to her heart in ways she never could have imagined. The theme for the week was He is Our Firm Foundation, and as soon as she saw those words on the opening slide, she began to cry:

I suddenly had this overwhelming feeling that Jesus was in the room with me, and it was like He was saying, “You don’t need a pool. You need me.” The crying continued all week. I felt like a dry sponge soaking up every word each speaker said, every song that was sung, and every testimony shared. I came back to our host country with an intimate awareness of the Spirit that had dulled after a year of living here. These words are alive in me. He is with us, He has called us, He is real, and even though Allah is proclaimed king over a loud speaker five times a day here, Jesus is really King. And we get to proclaim that to the darkness. . . .

Everything in our host country is dry and shriveled up like a sponge without water, and only He can bring it to life again. For a while, I thought that conferences for workers were not really necessary, but I think that is the naivety of a first-year worker speaking, and I am super thankful for all the churches and the organization that made that week happen for us.

World Outreach workers carry many different burdens into Family Gathering, but for K and her family, the week became a source of true rest and refreshment in their Savior. She returned to her host country renewed and better equipped to minister both to her family and to those she serves. The Lord was present in this gathering, using it to strengthen and encourage those who are bringing the good news to people who have never heard.

Family Gathering and similar opportunities provide workers with the care, encouragement, and rest they need to continue faithfully in the work God has called them to. It is vital that those who pour into others are also cared for and poured into themselves.

When workers are refreshed, families are strengthened. When families are strengthened, ministries flourish. And when ministries flourish, more people have the opportunity to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

Would you prayerfully consider partnering with World Outreach through a monthly gift or a one-time contribution? Together, we can help ensure that workers around the world remain encouraged, equipped, and steadfast as they proclaim Christ where He is least known.

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Miriam’s Story | the Reach January 2026

by | Feb 20, 2026 | Field Story

Dear Friends,

Leaving their war-torn home and finding refuge in a new Muslim-majority country in the Middle East, Yusef and Jamila wearily settled into a new and tenuous normal. Life as a refugee is not easy. They are in an unfamiliar country, often not able to find employment, and struggle to obtain basic necessities.

Mary, a U.S.-based World Outreach worker, met Yusef and Jamila in May 2025 on a mission trip to the Middle East. She was part of the leadership team taking a group of EPC World Outreach college cohort students there. Much prayer went into this trip asking God to move among the refugees in this country.

When Mary first met this refugee couple, Yusef and Jamila had been married less than a year, and Jamila was pregnant again after suffering from a miscarriage earlier in their marriage. Yusef had recently come to know the Lord through the leader of a refugee ministry, an Arab Christian man named Elias. Yusef desired for Jamila to also give her life to Jesus. However, he did not want to pressure her into a decision and knew the very real risks that would come with them both professing Christ—the risk of persecution and loss of their Muslim family and friends. Mary and a teammate from the college cohort had the privilege of sharing a meal with Yusef and Jamila three days in a row. They were taken there by Elias, who planned these times together and served as their translator.

During each visit, they shared joyful conversation, delicious food, and seeds of the gospel. They also prayed for Jamila’s health, prenatal care, and baby. These prayers were instrumental in opening Jamila’s heart as she experienced God’s care for her.

One day, Mary shared with Jamila and Yusef how Jesus changed her life. Jamila had been thinking for weeks about putting her faith in Jesus as Yusef had done and listened intently to Mary’s story. At this time, Jamila told Mary if she had a girl, they would name her after Mary. During the visit on the third day, Jamila said she wanted Jesus and prayed to receive him! Jamila beamed as the team then gave her a New Testament in her native language (Arabic).

Mary’s team, including her husband Mark, soon returned to the States, and several months later, Mark returned with a new team, partnering again with Elias to bring practical aid and spiritual hope to those in need. On this second visit, Mark reconnected with Yusef and Jamila—just one day before Jamila was scheduled to deliver their baby! They enjoyed time of fellowship and prayer, drawing encouragement from each other. The next day, Mark and his team flew home, and Jamila delivered a healthy baby girl whom they named Miriam (Mary in Arabic).

A few weeks after Miriam’s birth, Yusef told Mark about Miriam’s name, “I chose it in honor of your wife, Mary. We loved her very much.”
 
God had answered the team’s prayers. Mark and Mary were incredibly blessed by this, and stood in awe of our Father, who works in mysterious ways, bringing people from around the globe together for His glory and bringing lasting change for generations to come. God used Mary’s story to draw Jamila to himself, and now little Miriam will grow up knowing the Good News of Jesus as a result of Mary and her team’s obedience to go be the hands and feet of Jesus. Praise God for the work he has done!

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Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus in Pakistan | the Reach November 2025

by | Nov 17, 2025 | Field Story, Mission Story

Dear Friends,

After enduring the oppressive summer heat, the July and August rains in Pakistan are usually welcomed as a respite and blessing. This year, however, the rains that typically bring relief have instead brought widespread and devastating flooding. As a result, people have lost their homes, modes of transportation, and for many, their lives. The extent of the damage is overwhelming.

Asaph, a World Outreach worker in Pakistan, commented on how the monsoon rains that lasted for weeks on end caused a degree of damage not seen in this region for 50 years. Yet even amid the disaster, God is at work.

One way EPC World Outreach seeks to carry out the Great Commission is through word and deed ministry—a lifestyle of love, mercy, and justice for the flourishing of the communities we serve. In bringing the good news of Jesus Christ around the world, we also want to care for the real, tangible needs of the people we encounter. The International Disaster Relief Fund is one vehicle through which we can do this.

World Outreach was able to partner with Asaph by sending $26,000 toward relief efforts in the area. “The need was great and overwhelming, even to figure out where to begin or whom to prioritize,” said Asaph. Through prayer and counsel from other ministry leaders, Asaph and his team decided to provide food rations to 150 families for a month. They were also able to provide support to some whose homes were damaged or who lost their motorcycles, their only mode of transportation, in the flooding.

While the needs in Pakistan stretch far beyond our reach, for these 150 families, the aid was inestimable. It sustained them during a very dark time and gave them hope as they faced the full weight of the devastation.

We praise God for the way he is providing for this region while we also recognize that the work is not done. The need remains great, and Asaph estimates that food prices will rise in the coming year as the flooding caused extensive damage to rice fields in the area.

Would you consider partnering with us first in prayer for this region? May the Lord continue to move mightily in the lives of people there. May he be glorified, and may the precious people of Pakistan come to know the forgiveness of our Savior. If you would like to financially support relief efforts, you can give to the International Disaster Relief Fund here.

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Nepali Time | the Reach August 2025

by | Sep 29, 2025 | Field Story, ITEN

Dear Friends,

 Nathan R. Moser works in Nepal with the International Theological Education Network (ITEN) for EPC World Outreach.

According to the Nepali calendar, the year is 2081. Most countries of the world have accepted the standard counting of years from Anno Domini, Latin for the “year of our Lord,” roughly counted from the birth of Jesus. The Nepali calendar starts in a different place.

If you are type-A person when it comes to time, Nepal will adjust you like a ham-fisted chiropractor. Our classes always started late, but just right for “Nepali Time.” If you can score some “Nepali Tea” while taking your “Nepali Time,” all the better.

Nepal breaks another rule of time. The clocks of the Royal Observatory in London set the world standard according to Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT. Most countries follow time zones that add or subtract whole hours relative to GMT, but not Nepal. If it is 12 a.m. in London (GMT), it is 6:15 a.m. in Nepal.

And there is still something else. Did you know that people age faster at higher altitude? This is not only because of sun exposure, or a thin atmosphere, or the cold. Einstein’s theory of relativity proved that time itself is curved. People of the Himalayas pass time slightly faster than people at sea level.

After our ITEN Bible course, I met what looked to me like an older man. He traveled from a high mountain village to learn with us in the valley of Nepalgunj. His skin was darkened and weathered tight. His home village was still covered with snow in the springtime, as it is much of the year. He smiled at me like a happy churchman. I learned that he was fully one year younger than I am. I took a hard look at the picture we took together. He did not look so old, and I did not look so young. Now I was counting the time wrong.

With my Himalayan friend I look to the Ancient of Days and the Eternal Son. We stand together, brothers, in time and out of time, saved for the great renewal of all things. By the Divine word we labor together, back to our villages and out into fields, for the harvest of all peoples.

By Nathan R. Moser

Nathan R. Moser teaching a group of Nepali ITEN students

Nepal is one of the many ITEN sites that serves national Christian leaders in places where the gospel is largely unknown and education is limited. Through ITEN, these leaders are equipped to minister to their own people and send their own missionaries to unreached people groups. Click here to support the work of ITEN.

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Partnerships for the Gospel | the Reach March 2025

by | Sep 8, 2025 | Church Partnership, Field Story, ITEN

Dear Friends,

Partnership. One small word that is absolutely essential for the work of World Outreach. There are many ways partnership plays into World Outreach’s work, and one of those ways is the partnering of local, indigenous believers around the world with WO’s ITEN, the International Theological Education Network.
 
ITEN serves national Christian leaders in places where the gospel is largely unknown and education is limited. These leaders are equipped to holistically share the gospel with their own people, and Sierra Leone is one of the various ITEN sites throughout the world.
 
The EPC’s work in Sierra Leone began more than 20 years ago with Memorial Park Church from the Presbytery of the Alleghenies spearheading the effort. Throughout the years of investment by the EPC, local people began to profess faith in Christ, and they eventually formed their own EPC denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sierra Leone (EPCSL), which is active in the Muslim majority villages of north Sierra Leone.
 
With the formation of the denomination came the urgent need to educate and equip local Christian leaders. So, in 2018, ITEN began working with the local churches of Sierra Leone. World Outreach ITEN workers such as Bruce Anderson, Mike Kuhn, Ed and Nan McCallum, and Steven Woodworth helped teach the nine courses required for graduation from the program.
 
Two local believers, Pastor Thomas and Pastor Abraham, graduates from the program themselves, are now facilitating the education with the support of ITEN. The program is not accredited by an academic institution, but EPCSL recognizes the ITEN training, called by them the Pastor Training Program (PTP), as their own ordination prerequisite. This education model, known as “non-formal theological education,” has become essential for training the rapidly growing churches of the developing world. In fact, theological seminaries and schools can produce only a small fraction of pastors and leaders needed to keep pace with church growth in the developing world. Thus, there is a great need for non-formal theological training.
 
Pastors in the EPCSL identify people they believe to be good candidates for the program. These candidates become students who attend 5-day course intensives 2-3 times a year. The EPCSL has produced two cohorts of graduates from this program, most of whom are now serving as evangelists, Sunday school teachers, and outreach leaders in their various communities.

Sierra Leonean Pastor Thomas said that the program focuses on equipping pastors for the holistic development of the people they will be ministering to—both the spiritual and physical needs. He says, “Most of the churches are engaged in little developmental projects like rice farming, groundnut farming, Bennie [local version of sesame] farming, local chicken poultry and many more. The inspiration to do all this comes from the PTP community development module.”

The work of ITEN in Sierra Leone is tangibly changing lives. The EPCSL, which began with 6 churches, now has 26 churches in the process of being planted by PTP trainees. While ITEN comes in as a partner to the EPCSL, it is the local church that oversees and runs this program. Believers from this corner of the world are taking up the mantle—they are discipling their own people, planting reproducing churches, and proclaiming the gospel to those who have never heard. Praise the Lord for the work He is doing!

Want to learn more or get involved with the work of ITEN? Click here to give to the work of ITEN and learn more.

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