What will high gas prices to to the ministry?
There does not seem to be a single day when someone does not ask this question.
The high cost of fuel is affecting us all. You, like us, feel the added pressure of travel.
As we prepare for the balance of our ministry in 2008, which includes three trips abroad, (Ghana, Czech Republic, and Romania) the increased cost for ministry is staggering. Consider this:
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In March of this year, our airfare to Ghana was $1,300 while a ticket priced today stood at over $2,000.
- Since our March project to Ghana the cost for our transit hotels in Europe and nearly doubled.
- The actual cost of the project in Ghana has increased around 50% since March.
So, you ask, "what will GEM do?"
The Lord has been faithful to Global Evangelism Ministries since our very inception. It has been incredible to witness His protection, provision, and providence.
The work of the Kingdom is going forward through our efforts in Ghana, the Czech Republic, and Romania. In addition to these, we have no fewer than sixteen invitations from new countries around the globe. These invitations are coming from Christians in the various countries who desperately need help from a ministry such as ours - a frontline, evangelistic, and unencumbered ministry. Only time will tell what will happen with these invitations.
The simple truth of the matter is this, we trusted God to supply our needs when the fuel, travel, and project costs were lower so we will trust God now with the higher costs! I am convinced that nothing catches God off guard - including increased costs.
A fundamental lesson we learned years ago is this: "Whatever God initiates, He accomplishes!" The heavenly Father is not controlled by the changing economic environment.
We fully believe that God will continue to move on the hearts of His people to provide the funding necessary to accomplish all that He has called and commissioned us to do. He has never failed us and He will not start now.
It is the prayer of all involved with Global Evangelism Ministries that you will join us in trusting God to supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. He is our source. He is our strength. He is our supply. Join us in praising Him.
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Alaska continues to provide ministry opportunities for GEM
Global Evangelism Ministries-Alaska (GEMA) will conduct weekend events designed to engage adults in bush villages with a goal of reaching them with the Gospel of Jesus. The long term goal is to identify Christians that God has His hand on moving them toward being leaders in the local church. GEMA will then design and conduct special classes on the field and via the internet to help train those identified Christians to be more effective leaders and pastors.
It is the prayerful understanding of GEM-Alaska, in consultation with Christian leaders in the state, that finding and equipping native people to lead native churches in the native areas is the only way to increase the reach of the Gospel. This is a huge task and the logistics of this ministry in such a large state is something that only God can do.
Both GEM and GEMA are committed to being a tool in the hands of a God that can do anything. The rewards are many and the blessings will be greater still but the road to see even the first native become an effective leader in a local church will be long. The first of the weekend events took place at the end of April with wonderful results. Since that weekend, God has produced the first native Christian (Robert) that is moving toward local church leadership - God is awesome! The next event has not yet been planned but follow-up with Robert is being initiated. |
 News from Ghana
The GEM slogan of "going where others will not dare go" was fully brought to bear on the GEMOG team in the above just ended project. Great is the faithfulness of our good Lord even in uncertain times.
The economic condition in Ghana is difficult , yet not impossible. The daily cost of living has climbed greatly over the past year. Our support for local pastors has placed a great toil upon GEM, but we trust God to meet these and all needs. The price for a bag of rice, which cost us around twenty dollars in March of 2008 now costs us nearly ninety dollars.
The government has made an effort to help the poor of our country but these efforts will but this will not last!
As for me, I am always reminded that what the people of my country (and the whole of the world) need cannot be provided by a government, but by Jehovah God alone. Please continue to pray and give for GEM that we might continue to go where others refuse.
For the sake of the Gospel,
Sammy Lartey
National Director
Global Evangelism Ministries of Ghana (GEMOG)
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