Latest Story
February 2026
When Anna* was challenged to think about her goals for 2026, she sensed a clear nudge from God: begin preparing material to train others. As the...
When Anna* was challenged to think about her goals for 2026, she sensed a clear nudge from God: begin preparing material to train others....
February 17, 2026
“In the 1980s, if you walked into a Christian bookstore in France, you’d find maybe two shelves of Christian books,” Florent...
February 13, 2026
As someone who’s spent much of his life planting churches in Asia, Ted now serves as the Director of Encompass...
February 10, 2026
Reaching the unreached is a beautiful idea, but it’s a lot easier said than done. Even so, Auburn Grace Community...
February 9, 2026
“I had no idea what Japan was,” Kya says. “Then my parents took me when I was 10, and now I wake up every day and think about...
January 30, 2026
Mika* grew up in Japan as part of a family that was culturally Buddhist, yet God gently placed people in her life who...
January 29, 2026
Grace Church in Simi Valley, California has been partnering with Encompass for over 60 years now, making us their primary missions agency. That...
January 23, 2026
The environment a child grows up in becomes their baseline for what’s normal. As you can imagine, children growing up overseas often form a...
January 23, 2026
“I never set out to become a crisis response person,” says Barb. In fact, if you had asked her younger...
January 21, 2026
“On Christmas Eve, we received word that our longtime neighbor, Larisa,* had passed away,” our workers Eddie* and Sarah* shared. They...
January 7, 2026
The year is 1964, the location is France, and the context is…frustration. Our...
January 2, 2026
When Encompass deployed church planters Paul and Louise to France in 1987, they had a long-term commitment in mind. Little did they know their...
December 10, 2025
Google and prayer. It sounds like an odd pairing, but for Encompass’s own Betsy Becker, it has become a surprisingly powerful way God opens...
December 2, 2025
"I had to confiscate a loaded pistol from one of my students once,” Kevin recalls. He had been working as a school’s band director in...
November 26, 2025
The Birth of Our Movement in Central America & the Caribbean
The Charis Alliance first entered the region in 1951 when Encompass...
November 24, 2025
We’ve been called to “go into all the world” and share the gospel—but in today’s world, the nations are coming right...
November 7, 2025
Most of the time, when two organizations do the same kind of work, they view each other as competitors. But that’s not how it should be in...
November 5, 2025
The Birth of the Movement in Western/Central Asia
Western and Central Asia are dominated by Islam, making it especially...
#13574
November 3, 2025
Relevant Magazine recently reported that 52,000 Christians have been murdered in Nigeria since 2009. When the article was...
#13567
October 30, 2025
“I was pinching myself to see if it was real,” Cecil said, looking around the room at Encompass’s recent Japan...
#13549
October 21, 2025
The Birth of Our Movement in Central Europe
The Charis movement originated in Germany when Alexander Mack formed a house church in 1708. That...
#13541
October 15, 2025
‘ Know It, Live, It, Give It Away. ’ That’s the guiding principle for how Grace Church, Medina East disciples...
#13515
October 7, 2025
Encompass workers Rob and Nichole Plaster recently organized a “Bible Blast” initiative. Three churches born out of their...
#13511
October 6, 2025
Encompass has ministered in Africa for over 100 years! Here’s a snapshot of what the Charis Alliance’s presence looks like there today....
#13500
October 3, 2025
Our ministry partners in Cambodia recently held a three-day youth camp that brought together 100 students across the region! This year's theme,...
#13497
October 2, 2025
Adapted from the newsletter of Encompass missionaries Steve and Rachel.*
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the gift of...
#13492
September 29, 2025
Reflecting on past experiences gives us opportunities to learn, be encouraged, celebrate victories, and gain motivation for current and...
#13461
September 26, 2025
“If you want people to care about missions, you need to raise up a generation that will do that.” This quote really challenged...
#13443
September 9, 2025
The Birth of the Movement in Cameroon
The Charis Alliance’s presence in Cameroon started the capital city of Yaoundé in...
#13375
September 1, 2025
“Before I knew God, I often felt lost and unsure about my life,” Sreynith says. “But everything changed when I came to...
#13431
August 29, 2025
Most believers know the tension: we should be sharing our faith, but we don’t always know how. We feel the pressure to say something, but when we...
#13420
August 20, 2025
What if the kids in your church could participate in a missions experience that set them up for a lifetime of missions involvement?...
#13402
August 8, 2025
Encompass World Partners is thrilled to welcome Grace Fluty, our new Deployment Specialist! In this role, she will get to know potential...
#13393
August 7, 2025
[Adapted from the newsletter of an Encompass missionary who has waited an unusually long time to receive their visa renewal.]
Anxious and...
#13369
July 28, 2025
The Birth of our Movement in Argentina
It was in September of 1909 that Charles F. Yoder departed for Argentina with his family and their...
#13366
July 28, 2025
Is your church using monthly or annual campaigns to support missions and outreach projects? Maybe you like the idea of that but just don't know...
#13360
July 24, 2025
“I’ve felt that calling for years—to go, to share Jesus with people who don’t know Him,” Emily says. “And now...
#13332
July 23, 2025
Twenty-five years ago, just before Sam and Tracey picked up their lives and moved to Europe, a veteran missionary couple told them that being...
#13288
July 10, 2025
JB's missions journey began during his college years, a truly formative time. He was part of a discipleship group where God opened his eyes...
#13246
July 8, 2025
Not too long ago, Cameroon had about 80 Charis churches with only four pastors. That’s a big reason why Jason and Christy Carmean moved...
#13279
July 8, 2025
The Birth of the Movement in Brazil
Our story in Brazil began in 1948 when Clarence L. Sickel (missionary to Argentina) was sent to survey...
#13276
July 7, 2025
Dr. Augustin Hibaile was frustrated as he witnessed local police attend church on Sundays but then live lives that did not resist corruption the...
#13241
July 7, 2025
In a world divided by conflict, a powerful story emerges from Encompass’s global workers in Germany, showcasing how God's love transcends...
#13236
July 2, 2025
As a beloved member of the Encompass World Partners family, Blaine Horst is retiring after 36 years of dedicated service. His journey...
#13135
June 18, 2025
After 38 years of faithful service, Steve Bailey recently retired from Encompass World Partners, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of...
#13110
June 11, 2025
“They wanted a pastor who would help lead them to be a more outward focused church,” says Pastor Reg Overstreet. This was one of the many...
#13105
June 10, 2025
The Birth of the Movement in Japan
In 1984, Encompass deployed Cecil and Debbie O'Dell on a small team for a life-changing journey...
#13093
June 9, 2025
What if we could equip and empower church-planting leaders to raise up and mentor the next generation of church planters? That would ensure that...
#13083
June 2, 2025
Adapted from a story by the Charis Fellowship
Central Cuba is a geographical paradise. It has valleys full tropical...
#13078
May 29, 2025
“France has many, many spiritual needs,” Dave Hobert says. “Even now, they say it’s still less than two percent...
#13069
May 27, 2025
How many greetings do you recognize?
American English: Happy Birthday Spanish: Feliz cumpleaños Portuguese: Feliz...
#13057
May 20, 2025
Encompass World Partners is excited to welcome Whitney to the staff as our new Mobilization Assistant! Whitney, who lives in North...
#13048
May 13, 2025
How does a local body of believers develop an awareness of and even a passion to be involved in cross-cultural missions? For starters, they talk...
#13037
May 8, 2025
“Japan will be in your future, you’re going to go there someday.”
That’s what Allana felt like God...
#13030
May 7, 2025
The Birth of the Movement in the British Isles
In the aftermath of two world wars and the dissolution of the British Empire, Britain and...
#13019
May 1, 2025
Sota,* a bright and eager 20-year-old student from the countryside of Shiga, Japan, embarked on a life-changing journey when he decided to study...
#13014
April 29, 2025
“Knowing that there are people out there who don't know Jesus, we just have that pull on our hearts to share the gospel with them and spread...
#13011
April 29, 2025
Imagine living in a district that is constantly being ravaged and torn apart for its natural resources. Opposing armed forces regularly engage in...
#12999
April 22, 2025
Growing up in Canada as the daughter of missionaries and church planters, God immersed Ana in a life of service and travel from a young age. This...
#12984
April 16, 2025
Denver Murray never expected much out of life. He grew up in poor neighborhoods, one of which had no electricity or running water. Painfully...
#12941
April 14, 2025
God is constantly working through His people to advance His kingdom around the world. When He calls missionaries to serve, He also calls others to...
#12947
April 11, 2025
Birth of the Movement in Chad
Thanks to the hard work of our pioneer missionaries in Central Africa, our movement steadily expanded throughout...
#12953
April 10, 2025
Have you ever heard of a church having a Spanish congregation, an English congregation, and a culture of yard sales? If not, meet Bellflower...
#12942
April 10, 2025
Before his freshman year of high school, Colin was in a car accident that resulted in a broken leg and hands, and three brain bleeds with a...
#12934
April 10, 2025
At 19 years old, Dillon is preparing to embark on a journey that could change the course of his life. A sophomore at Lancaster Bible College,...
#12929
April 9, 2025
The Birth of a Movement in Southeast Asia
After serving in the Vietnam War, Jay Bell returned to the States where he fell in love with Jesus....
#12866
March 21, 2025
Imagine that your church has been supporting a missionary for years, faithfully sending funds and prayers their way. But how often does your...
#12849
March 14, 2025
“When you’re talking to Mike Yoder, don’t even breathe interest unless you’re serious!” Randy Clark says with a laugh, recalling the moment that...
#12835
March 12, 2025
At this year’s Global Staff Conference, Avery,* one of our global workers with Encompass World Partners, shared a powerful challenge: Can we thank...
#12809
March 5, 2025
Suddenly, a man emerged from the forest with a bone through his nose, feathers in his hair, and a spear in his hand. He walked straight up to the...
#12798
February 27, 2025
Elise never imagined cancer would be part of her story. But as she walks through this unexpected journey, she’s seeing God work in ways she never...
#12789
February 25, 2025
February 2025 – After much prayerful consideration, Encompass World Partners is excited to announce that we are relocating our core...
#12765
February 24, 2025
For nearly two decades, Betsy poured herself out to serve young adults with disabilities in Central Asia. She walked the streets and visited...
#12726
February 19, 2025
How do you get and keep people on mission? If only it were as easy as telling them, “Let’s Go!”
While it’s not quite that simple, Calvert...
#12739
February 13, 2025
This year, Ryan* and Patti* will start serving with Encompass on special assignment in Central Asia. As a retired doctor, Ryan knew that he would...
#12701
February 12, 2025
The Birth of the Movement in France
After World War II, American Christians became more aware of the need for missionaries in Europe. As a...
#12684
February 4, 2025
Diagnosed with lung cancer, Alex* was nearing the end of his life. He had spent his whole life living like God didn’t exist, and now he wondered...
#12671
February 3, 2025
It’s the first day of his mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 1992, and Ryan* wakes up to find a line of locals at the gate eager to see “el...
#12644
January 30, 2025
In January 2025, the vast majority of our global staff gathered in Portugal for a historic Global Staff Conference. Encompass has never had that...
#12639
January 30, 2025
“If the gospel is so accessible in the United States, why would we stay here?” That’s the question God used to lead Bruce and Lisa Triplehorn to...
#12631
January 29, 2025
When Zach and Lydia first prayed for their friends Kyler and Claire as they left for Japan, they didn’t realize God was preparing to send them...
#12619
January 28, 2025
Since 2018, Mike McKeever and his wife have been hosting a Great Commission Fellowship in their home to pray, share life, and foster a deeper...
#12596
January 24, 2025
Grace Church in Mabton, Washington prays and gives towards international missions—but they’re also making a global impact right in their own...
#12593
January 24, 2025
"You can read a lot of books about teams, go to a lot of seminars, ask ChatGPT or Google AI, and come up with a bunch of similar and overlapping...
#12590
January 24, 2025
Bri Gadaire, a lifelong resident of Vancouver, Washington, has always had a heart for missions. From the moment she read a book about David...
#12526
January 13, 2025
“We just open our home. It’s nothing special,” says Mike McKeever, host of the Great Commission Fellowship at Grace Church at Willow Valley in...
#12507
January 9, 2025
8 January 2025 – It is with much sadness—but hope in Christ—that we inform you of the homegoing of Susie Hobert, wife of Dave (Hobie) and...
#12501
January 9, 2025
The Birth of a Movement in CAR
After a dramatic conversion experience in Philadelphia, James Gribble felt a profound calling to dedicate...
#12472
January 6, 2025
Building trust through relationships is one of the most effective ways to share the gospel with internationals from least-reached countries. At...
#12469
January 6, 2025
Adapted from Making Disciples: Creativity as a Recipe to Share the Gospel
Sharing the gospel in some regions is tough—laws, cultural...
#12360
December 6, 2024
The Great Commission requires all of us—prayers, givers, welcomers, senders, and goers. Pastor Adam Copenhaver of Grace Church in Mabton,...
#12356
December 5, 2024
After decades—even centuries—of traditional mission activity in Japan, it’s evident that there is a need for non-traditional approaches for...
#12330
November 20, 2024
In northwest Central African Republic (CAR), Christian communities have endured brutal violence throughout the year. Muslim herders continue to...
#12327
November 20, 2024
Adapted from Mobilizers Matter by Charis Women
“Due to the undiagnosed health issues, I began having panic attacks multiple times a...
#12290
November 4, 2024
Something keeps drawing Kento* back to the outreach events hosted by Encompass’s team in Osaka. He’s not quite sure what it is—maybe curiosity,...
#12284
November 4, 2024
"Paige* is crying for hours each night and not sleeping," reports one of her friends. She didn't tell anyone that she was laying in her bed...
#12277
October 31, 2024
In the spring of 2026, Will and Emma Ferguson are set to join Kenji’s team in Yamanashi, where they’ll share the hope of Jesus with the people of...
#12259
October 30, 2024
After almost a decade of serving Afghan refugees in Western Asia, Ally and Ramin* are stepping into a new chapter. As they move from living...
#12174
October 23, 2024
The School of Evangelism was started in Chad in 1998 to equip people to share the gospel and plant churches there. As the concept grew, The School...
#12170
October 22, 2024
"Even though we're just a small group, we’ve seen God do some amazing things," say Marj Wisker and Jami Kurtz from Martinsburg Grace Brethren...
#12164
October 21, 2024
Adapted from Honor and Anger
Anger is an intense emotion of annoyance and displeasure that leads to hostility and combat. Something...
#12153
October 15, 2024
After Jean Picq spent 18 years in the secular workforce, he and his wife, Christine, wanted to make themselves more available to God. They were...
#12144
October 14, 2024
There are many ways for churches to engage in cross-cultural ministry. Sometimes, it makes sense to organize your own outreach event, mission...
#12130
October 8, 2024
Dave got a call from his pastor to see if he could visit Lynn in the hospital. Normally, his pastor would have gone, but he was headed out of...
#12127
October 8, 2024
Since the 1990s, the School of Evangelism in Chad has trained hundreds of central Africans in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting,...
#12115
October 7, 2024
“Which mobilization organization should I become a missionary with?” That’s a common question people ask when starting to...
#12112
October 4, 2024
Gene and Mindy* have dedicated much of their lives to serving the people of Southeast Asia. Recently, God called them to start a new chapter by...
#12109
October 4, 2024
The work that missionaries do is often lonely and filled with challenges. As one team of Encompass missionaries in Western Asia was in a season of...
#12098
September 27, 2024
After working as a worship leader in Atlanta for over a decade, Clay* felt called to move his family to one of the least-reached places on the...
#12072
September 27, 2024
Since its publication in 2022, tens of thousands of copies of the Africa Study Bible have been distributed across French-speaking Africa....
#12062
September 26, 2024
People might be tempted to elevate missionaries to the status of “super Christians,” but the truth is…missionaries are normal...
#12035
September 9, 2024
Grace Polaris Church recently demonstrated an inspiring way to support their missionaries by coordinating church-wide lunch events for them. The...
#11830
August 14, 2024
Written by Jenny Troutner and adapted from Charis Connect
Walking into the prayer room at the Charis Fellowship Conference might have made...
#11744
August 8, 2024
With the generous support of people like you, Encompass World Partners has been able to extend real help to our partners in Chad who have opened...
#11730
August 5, 2024
One year has passed since Ralph Justiniano unexpectedly passed away in the summer of 2023. When the Lord took him home, he was participating in a...
#11717
August 2, 2024
“God basically just picked me up and put me there,” Cassia says about her recent 10-month mission trip to Cameroon. Her journey began with some...
#11686
July 30, 2024
You just finished high school or college, and now you find yourself asking, “What does God want me to do with my life?”
It’s a daunting...
#11681
July 29, 2024
22 July 2024 – Thank you for your prayers over the weekend. They were heard!
As of late Friday night, all technology and services that...
#11599
July 19, 2024
Amid our constantly-changing world, Encompass World Partners continues to faithfully reach the least-reached. God blessed us with so many...
#11596
July 19, 2024
You see a need, so you figure out a way to meet it. Maybe the need is a large homeless population in your city, so you rally some volunteers and...
#11535
July 11, 2024
The Bible uses metaphors of both “open doors” and “hard soil,” but recently God has been showing Eddy* that it might be...
#11500
June 28, 2024
“We’ve spent a lot of time trying to encourage parents to release their children to the mission field,” Rachel says, “but now we’re saying to...
#11403
June 14, 2024
Generosity isn’t just a side gig at Gateway Church in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania—it’s in their DNA. The reason they take...
#11396
June 12, 2024
Many churches dedicate one Sunday a year to promoting missions, but Pastor Tim of Waynesboro Grace Church (WGC) dedicated two months of weekly...
#11379
June 7, 2024
Eddy and Sarah* have been running an incubator for entrepreneurs in Central Asia for three years now, and we’re overwhelmed by the success God has...
#11267
May 21, 2024
“When you have to live as an immigrant it changes your worldview,” Brian says.
Shortly after Brian met Jesus in 1995, God gave him a heart for...
#11263
May 20, 2024
If you think that international ministry trips are only for people in their twenties, guess again! In early 2024, Ashland Grace church sent about...
#11235
May 17, 2024
Many churches dedicate one Sunday a year to promoting missions, but Pastor Tim of Waynesboro Grace Church (WGC) dedicated two months of weekly...
#11241
May 14, 2024
“When I used to look at missionaries who are reaching closed countries, I always thought that they had to go with some sort of cover story,” says...
#11226
May 13, 2024
Did you know that the mental health field is practically nonexistent in Japan? The country might have psychologists and neurologists, but it’s...
#11220
May 8, 2024
In 1984, Encompass’s first global workers to Japan buckled their airplane seat belts, looked at each other with tears in their eyes, and said, “We...
#11190
May 1, 2024
The process of going on a mission doesn't have to be overwhelming. We're here to help you explore your calling and to walk with you every step of...
#11179
April 26, 2024
Have you ever been the only Christian in your town? That’s the reality for many of our global workers which is why it’s important to have teammates...
#11176
April 26, 2024
Ever considered business as a missions platform? Malachi interned with Encompass and stepped into the lives of the locals by working at a factory...
#11173
April 26, 2024
During Patty’s first year as a missionary, her annual support level—which covered her salary and other expenses—was just $15,000. That was 40 years...
#11166
April 26, 2024
If you had the joy of interacting with Ralph Justiniano, then you probably noticed his unparalleled love for Jesus. He truly viewed his Savior as...
#11162
April 26, 2024
Sometimes things don't always go as planned on the mission field. Listen to Tim and Ginger share their story!
#11159
April 26, 2024
Living in a new culture doesn’t always go as planned. Listen to Dave share his story about one mistake that he made while living in France.
#11152
April 26, 2024
Imagine empowering the kids in your church’s Vacation Bible School to help believers in Chad reach their Muslim neighbors. Or what if your...
#11080
April 11, 2024
If you’ve ever seen Disney’s Aladdin, you might remember that Princess Jasmine’s father was referred to as “Sultan.” If that has been your only...
#11059
April 1, 2024
On September 24, 2023, Lanham Grace Church held their second annual “All Nations Sunday.” Located in the Washington, DC area, their congregation...
#11049
March 28, 2024
In a world marked by constant change and shifting values, the role of a local church remains undeniably significant. However, not all churches...
#11027
March 25, 2024
Loneliness is a pervasive issue in today’s society. Despite our digital connectedness, we can still feel profoundly isolated or disconnected....
#11022
March 20, 2024
When children leave their home countries to live in other cultures, they adopt parts of both cultures, and sometimes end up feeling like outsiders...
#11019
March 20, 2024
Tom Julien was a wise and insightful Executive Director who led Encompass World Partners to success for decades. We’re so grateful for his...
#11007
March 14, 2024
How vibrant and active is your church’s Missions committee? If you want to see your missions committee boost its effectiveness and level of...
#10991
March 5, 2024
“Can you imagine walking five miles to school each morning!?” That caught the attention of all the kids in the audience. Francois was describing...
#10976
February 22, 2024
Our stomachs turn whenever we hear news reports of a crisis affecting hundreds or thousands of people. Every new crisis painfully reminds us of...
#10959
February 21, 2024
Anxiety is nothing new to humanity, but modern technology has really added lighter fluid to an already-burning fire.
Every day, countless...
#10936
February 16, 2024
If you want to go on a short-term mission trip or become a long-term missionary, you have many good mobilization organizations to choose from....
#10902
February 7, 2024
Jason likes to go to bicycle races on Saturdays in the spring, and at one particular race, he had an idea that changed his life. At that race, he...
#10888
February 6, 2024
Many times, sending churches and individual supporters want to help their global workers, but don’t know where to start. After serving...
#10862
January 29, 2024
Adapted from Congratulations to Alfredo Abreu, winner of the 2023 Kenn Allen Award
Each year, the International Association for Volunteer...
#10834
January 17, 2024
Adapted from “ A Common Mission ” originally posted by the Charis Fellowship
Driven by a commitment to their common mission, the people of...
#10760
January 5, 2024
Do you have a ministry idea, but need help making it a reality?
We’re passionate about working together to make disciples, which is why we...
#10670
December 28, 2023
“And why have I never heard this before?!” a woman blurted out in the middle of a teaching by Encompass mobilizer, Mike McKeever....
#10638
December 18, 2023
In France, everyone eats crepes on Groundhog Day, but if you ask them why , no one knows the answer. It’s kind of like how we hold Easter egg...
#10626
December 15, 2023
When Matt was a teenager, he viewed Christianity as a bunch of rules, so he thought to himself, “Why don’t I just wait until I’m old to do that?”...
#10594
December 11, 2023
After Eddy* became a believer, he wanted to go wherever the greatest need was. “It doesn’t matter where,” he said. That’s how he ended up in Asia...
#10534
December 4, 2023
Want to give a gift to a global worker, but don’t know what to send to someone who may be living and working in another country? Gift ideas for...
#10468
November 27, 2023
In summer 2022, Madeline participated in Encompass’s six-week Explore Atlanta experience where she participated in cross-cultural...
#10515
November 20, 2023
What do you plan on doing after working in your career for 45 years straight? God calls everyone on different journeys, but He called Tim and...
#10495
November 16, 2023
“No matter what my job is, it’s a ministry role. That’s how I see work in general,” says Dave Pacheco, Encompass’s Director of Mobilization and...
#10488
November 13, 2023
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to...
#10475
November 9, 2023
During Patty’s first year as a missionary, her annual support level—which covered her salary and other expenses—was just $15,000. That was 40...
#10462
November 7, 2023
There are many Bible verses about Great Commission work. In the Old Testament, God even sent messengers to other nations to declare His glory. In...
#10433
October 30, 2023
On his summer internship to Central Asia, Malachi learned that working in a factory can be pretty difficult. “The factory would get so hot...
#10424
October 24, 2023
If you’ve ever had the joy of interacting with Ralph Justiniano, then you would have quickly noticed his unparalleled love for Jesus....
#10417
October 19, 2023
On her two-and-a-half month trip to Ireland during summer 2023, Kelsey’s ministry assignment was pretty open-ended: it was to join meetups and...
#10412
October 16, 2023
You have a mission trip coming up, and you want to make sure you are ready. Thankfully, Encompass World Partners has been sending missionaries for...
#10404
October 13, 2023
Though A.O. only spent every other weekend with her dad, he regularly took her to church and introduced her to Jesus. Her mom wasn’t a believer, so...
#10393
October 9, 2023
Encompass World Partners is delighted to announce that Dave Pacheco will join our staff as the new Director of Mobilization and Recruitment.
Dave...
#10375
September 21, 2023
“He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when...
#10343
September 5, 2023
Life can be hard enough, but when you live in a foreign country, everything becomes much more difficult. How do you navigate daily logistics in a...
#10330
September 5, 2023
“Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist.” ...
#10296
August 18, 2023
A new year is a great time for renewed focus on the Great Commission. We pray that one of your church’s resolutions is to become more missional,...
#10286
August 18, 2023
Are you interested in missions or support someone about to embark on a mission trip? Over Encompass’s 120+ years of sending missionaries, we’ve...
#10132
August 14, 2023
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but...
#10074
August 10, 2023
When people think about support-raising for a mission trip, they often think of asking people for money, having a car wash, or hosting a...
#10118
August 7, 2023
Some churches have enjoyed having a rich history of being missions-minded, and one such church is Maranatha Brethren Church in Hagerstown,...
#10207
August 4, 2023
16 Aug 2023 Update
In a recent update, Joan said, “Thank you so much for your prayers since Ralph’s homegoing. We have felt God’s peace in the...
#10168
August 1, 2023
Shortly after Encompass was founded in 1900, a Scottish man named Hugh E. Alexander founded the Geneva Bible Institute in France. The two...
#10102
July 31, 2023
29 July 2023 – It is with great sadness that we communicate to you the news that our dear brother and Encompass teammate, Ralph Justiniano, has...
#10157
July 29, 2023
God accomplished a lot through Karen’s 33 years as an Encompass missionary to Africa. Her first assignment was in the Central African Republic...
#10113
July 24, 2023
Adapted from an article by the Charis Fellowship
Once every five years or so, Charis Alliance leaders from all over the world gather for a...
#10098
July 17, 2023
Article adapted from “ United in Ministry ” by the Charis Fellowship
“If someone could be born into the Charis Fellowship, I was,”...
#10086
July 12, 2023
In mid-2023, Encompass sent a small team to Nigeria, which marked our first visit to the country in an official capacity. The purpose of the trip...
#10064
July 10, 2023
After growing up in Ireland as the child of Encompass missionaries, Seán and his family moved back to the US, not knowing if they’d ever return....
#10049
July 5, 2023
Shortly after graduating from Grace College and seminary, Jason landed his dream job of becoming a pastor. He led a healthy church in Ohio for 15...
#9826
June 26, 2023
One night in Schriesheim, Germany, a number of people crowded into an old millhouse to worship and pray. Without warning, someone urgently pounded...
#10006
June 23, 2023
Living in a new culture doesn’t always go as planned. Listen to Jenn share her story about one mistake that she and her husband made while living...
#9889
June 19, 2023
The Apostle Paul envisioned a church where unbelievers walk in and experience God’s glory so dramatically that they fall on their faces,...
#9823
June 19, 2023
Adapted from the Charis Fellowship article, A Product of Our Movement
Dave Guiles spent the first half of his career as a missionary to...
#9874
June 14, 2023
“People often base their idea of church on a Sunday service—a small, one-and-a-half-hour time frame—but we like to emphasize one-on-one...
#9820
June 12, 2023
You are a missionary, and you want to share all the amazing things God is doing … but putting them into words can be hard! How can I make my...
#9816
June 9, 2023
While technologically and economically advanced, the Japanese are classified as the second least-reached people in the world. Out of 26 million...
#9690
June 2, 2023
While cultural shifts have had a visible impact on this country there is a nationalistic pride among the people to become more of an Islamic state....
#9685
May 26, 2023
When practiced correctly, interdependence is a beautiful sight that benefits all parties while glorifying Jesus. The theme for the Charis Alliance...
#9663
May 22, 2023
This internship takes place in the mountainous heartland of Central Asia and the geographical half-way point of the ancient Silk Road. Its cultural...
#9681
May 19, 2023
As Pastor Andre prepared to return home from an evangelistic visit, two men emerged from the shadows and stopped him. As they drew nearer, the men...
#9660
May 15, 2023
In the mountainous heartland of Central Asia, the light of Christ is shining through the tangible love of local believers. Children born with...
#9675
May 12, 2023
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” —2 Corinthians...
#9721
May 9, 2023
Mboi is one of Encompass’s partner evangelists in the Central African Republic (CAR).
One day when he was taking a trip to a remote village, he...
#9602
May 8, 2023
How do you share the hope and truth of the gospel with people who aren’t interested in hearing? The thriving city of Dublin is particularly...
#9667
May 4, 2023
At age 17 Philippe left his home in France and moved to California. He didn’t know English well enough to make friends, so he ended up reading...
#9587
May 1, 2023
“Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist.” —Oswald J...
#9634
April 27, 2023
Crispin and his wife Marites have been talking about moving from one province in the Philippines to another so they can plant a new church in a...
#9573
April 24, 2023
The process of going on a mission doesn't have to be overwhelming. We're here to help you explore your calling and to walk with you every step of...
#9620
April 24, 2023
It has been nearly 60 years since Encompass World Partners first acquired the Chateau in Saint-Albain, France. Despite being located in a...
#9611
April 21, 2023
As a teacher at a Charis Alliance seminary in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), Francois has seen God’s goodness many times. He teaches...
#9566
April 17, 2023
Dr. Dave Guiles, executive director of Encompass World Partners, shared at Grace Polaris Church on 19 March 2023 about the heart of God for the...
#9561
April 12, 2023
“I really feel God tugging at my heart to serve in missions, but I don’t know what the next steps should be.”
As missions mobilizers, people...
#9547
April 6, 2023
UPDATE (27 March 2023): Thank you to everyone who gave to this project. Because of your generosity, our partners now have the finances they need...
#9495
March 8, 2023
Before the civil war in 2012, the Peulh were Muslim nomads who gathered in clans with hundreds of cows to sustain their livelihood. They lived in...
#9475
March 6, 2023
In his classic book Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper says, “Worship is the goal and the fuel of missions: Missions exists because...
#9465
March 3, 2023
UPDATE (27 March 2023): Thank you to everyone who gave to this project. Because of your generosity, our partners now have the finances they need...
#9454
March 2, 2023
When Valérie was just 13, her parents separated—which is hard enough for a teenager—but then just three years later, she had to endure the death...
#9396
February 20, 2023
“A Turkish pastor in that region and his wife died in the earthquake while their 10-year old son survived.”
“A Turkish believer that we know...
#9420
February 16, 2023
The United Kingdom’s 42 magnificent cathedrals remind humanity of how vibrantly the gospel once thrived in that part of the world. But in recent...
#9355
February 13, 2023
“Are we willing to do anything so that others might come to faith?” That’s a scary question! Imagine how...
#9409
February 13, 2023
All Encompass missionaries are required to complete our five-week training program, Engage Five. The name is not because the training is five...
#9368
February 6, 2023
Brian and his wife Tammy spent a year in Argentina learning Spanish. When they returned to the US, they launched a Spanish ministry and planted a...
#9241
January 30, 2023
Even though Africa has more Charis Alliance churches than anywhere else in the world, many of those congregations don’t have a pastor. In the...
#9348
January 24, 2023
Everyone is looking for peace, joy, and contentment in their lives. Believers find these gifts through a relationship with Christ, but what about...
#9237
January 23, 2023
The Encompass family is mourning the loss—but celebrating the life and ministry—of Tom Julien, former Executive Director of Grace...
#9321
January 18, 2023
About 30 years ago Encompass global worker, Florent, started a church in Cusset, France. He pastored the church for several years, but then handed...
#9232
January 16, 2023
One day while Florent was pastoring a church in France, he was approached by an aggressive-looking lady who had been seeing floating green eyes...
#9307
January 16, 2023
After sharing Jesus with people in England for over 30 years, Tom and MaryAnn will be moving to the US. As they’ve been saying goodbye to their...
#9227
January 9, 2023
The passion of the Transformation Works Network is to display the gospel in word and deed through hospitality ministries, medicine, business...
#9152
January 2, 2023
We believe that the church is God’s way of magnifying Himself in this present age. Encompass World Partners’ Church Planting Network...
#9256
December 30, 2022
The passion of the Crisis Response Network is to partner with churches and ministry leaders to care for people—mind, soul, and body—during natural...
#9149
December 26, 2022
Because of Encompass’ network structure, collaboration and camaraderie across cultures, languages, and countries comes naturally. Within the Church...
#9145
December 19, 2022
Encompass’ network structure facilitates collaboration across cultures, languages, and countries. Church Equipping Network (CEN) members function...
#9139
December 16, 2022
Many Encompass staff who have worked in Latin America are mourning the recent passing of Edson Silva (age 54)—former Charis Ministry Partner with...
#9083
December 7, 2022
Over fifty years ago, Tom and Doris Julien stepped out in faith to purchase a dilapidated 14th century chateau in a small village in Burgundy,...
#9063
December 5, 2022
Can you imagine what it would be like to live on $2.15 a day? Luxuries like education, healthcare, and even housing would quickly fall to the...
#9052
December 5, 2022
Coming from a first generation Polish and Irish family in Pittsburgh, Christmas traditions were very important to me growing up. Some of our...
#9033
December 1, 2022
“Fear of failure drives just about everything,” says Josh Feit who serves as an innovation consultant for Encompass.
As human beings, we tend...
#8964
November 7, 2022
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
In June 2021, an intergenerational team of...
#8950
November 2, 2022
Missio Nexus is a US-based group that connects over 53,000 people from missions organizations, churches, and businesses engaged in the Great...
#8960
October 31, 2022
Jesus Lavoto recounts the story of how he battled Hurricane Ian’s flood waters which ended up sweeping him outside of his house and endangering...
#8947
October 27, 2022
When Wes Yoder started pastoring Davidsville Community Church (DCC) in small-town PA, the congregation only had about 20 people and couldn’t...
#8896
October 10, 2022
Encompass World Partners and Assist Church Expansion are collaborating in response to Hurricane Ian. Your prayers and giving will make a...
#8837
September 30, 2022
Muslim herders have recently attacked six villages in eastern Chad, leaving 35 dead and 75 wounded. The survivors were forced to flee as the...
#8799
September 20, 2022
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. –Matthew 9:36...
#8750
September 8, 2022
“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”...
#8610
July 26, 2022
For Elise Klawitter, her experience with Encompass World Partners is coming full circle. She is preparing to embark on a Gospel work journey that...
#8547
July 20, 2022
Scarred from a history of civil war and genocide, Cambodians are enjoying a period of peace. In Battambang, the second-largest city in this...
#8448
June 30, 2022
When you step into North Shore Bible Church in Massachusetts, you are immediately greeted by a warm church family. Although many have said that...
#8434
June 27, 2022
Florent and Lori are hosting five Ukrainian refugee women in their home in France . These women love the Lord, and despite the language barrier,...
#8391
June 16, 2022
“I didn’t expect to see you here!” remarked one of our new global workers at the January 2022 Core Training. They were surprised to see a Charis...
#8356
June 3, 2022
Melisa teaches 2nd-grade English at an international Christian school in Okinawa, Japan . Most of the kids she works with are from non-Christian...
#8284
May 4, 2022
Throughout its history, Auburn Grace Church in California has been missions minded. In recent years, leadership has worked to take it to another...
#8250
April 27, 2022
When oppressed Afghan families flee their home country, their journey often ends before they reach Europe or America. Unable to continue, unable...
#8233
April 21, 2022
Because Lanham Grace Church has about 40 people on any given Sunday, its members see it as a small church. And yet because their hearts are big...
#8226
April 21, 2022
As global cultures continue to evolve at breakneck speeds, we recognize that conventional ministry methods and approaches may not keep pace with...
#8187
April 18, 2022
When Vance went in for knee surgery, he expected it to be a routine procedure with a painful but routine recovery. What happened was anything...
#8115
March 25, 2022
Matt and Jen serve in Japan , a nation they thought already had plenty of missionaries. But they learned that the Japanese are actually the...
#8040
March 16, 2022
Take my silver and my gold, Not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose, Every pow’r as thou shalt...
#8019
March 14, 2022
For over a decade, the Timothy Project has connected students at our Bible Institute in the Central African Republic (CAR) with sponsors who...
#7312
March 9, 2022
These are days of severe testing for the Ukrainian people. On February 23, 2022, Ukrainian women started moving west with their children ahead of...
#7968
March 2, 2022
After years of threatening Ukraine, Russia's advance against this neighboring country now seems inevitable. Surrounded on three sides, Ukraine's...
#7895
February 24, 2022
A cold gust of air rushed in when the door opened briefly to allow two bundled individuals into the warm café. Smiling, Roy stood from his...
#7879
February 22, 2022
“Everything around me was Christian,” Andy* says. “My family was Christian, my friends were Christian, my school, my church, my...
#7861
February 21, 2022
Who would be crazy enough to travel to Kentucky the weekend before Christmas to help clear brush and tarp roofs before the rain and snow...
#7607
December 16, 2021
When Kenji became a Christian, his parents were upset. They viewed Christianity as a cult, and tension increased when he was evaluating his...
#7575
December 1, 2021
The Grace Center in Battambang, Cambodia, offers a home for university students where staff serve and minister to them, teaching them about Christ...
#7392
November 3, 2021
When Alex’s father died, he left Alex and his six siblings parentless. Alex’s uncle took them in, but he had a family of his own to...
#7332
October 25, 2021
Almost half of the world’s population is unreached . That means more than three billion people have never heard the good news of Jesus....
#7315
October 20, 2021
Karen works in Cameroon and is overwhelmingly aware of the inequities between different people groups and between men and women. She describes a...
#7141
September 29, 2021
We use Encounter, Explore, Engage and Embark to describe ministry opportunities of short, mid, and long-term durations. Much more than isolated...
#7117
September 24, 2021
In Western Asia , Ally* has befriended Sister A* , a girl from a Muslim family who found Christ as a result of her grandfather’s faith and her...
#7103
September 22, 2021
After Matt became a believer in college, he was reading in Luke about following Jesus, and he realized that he needed to be willing to give God...
#7078
September 15, 2021
Scarred from a history of civil war and genocide, Cambodians are finally experiencing a period of peace. In Battambang, Grace Center seeks to...
#7002
August 25, 2021
There are nearly 4,000 churches across Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic (CAR), and they need strong, godly leaders. Several...
#6989
August 19, 2021
For over 30 years, Louise and Paul have served with Encompass in France and have experienced the ups and downs of numerous seasons of life....
#6928
July 29, 2021
CIDEL (Center International for the Development of Ethical Leadership) is a leadership training program in the Central African Republic (CAR) that...
#6900
July 20, 2021
Sweat runs down his back beneath his suit, but Jason grins. He surveys the Yaoundé city park, taking in its unusually festive appearance....
#6887
July 16, 2021
When God called her to ministry, Kate didn’t know what she was supposed to do, only that she wanted to use her life to point others to Christ....
#6883
July 14, 2021
Steve closed the book. Silence had settled over the people in front of him. Tentatively, a woman a couple of rows back raised her hand....
#6859
July 9, 2021
In Cambodia, a land scarred by civil war and genocide and permeated with Buddhism, Christians introduce university students to Jesus. Kakda is the...
#6836
June 30, 2021
One summer during their Vacation Bible School program, a church in Iowa decided to raise money to provide slates for the children at our Hand in...
#6824
June 23, 2021
The Encompass family is mourning the loss—but celebrating the life and ministry—of Margaret Mason, former missionary to the Central African...
#6802
June 17, 2021
Summer is a busy season, and it can be easy to lose sight of our priorities with all the travel, activities, and schedule changes we experience...
#6792
June 17, 2021
Internships provide unique opportunities to experience cultures different from our own as we determine if God is calling us to long-term...
#6778
June 16, 2021
With a less than one percent evangelical presence, Japan contains one of the least reached people groups in the world. The Japanese are truly a...
#6761
June 3, 2021
In Central Asia, children with special needs are often thought to carry shame and a curse. We want to bring joy to these kids and show them and...
#6749
May 27, 2021
Imagine you decided to take a gap year, but the gap year you took was 2020. Instead of traveling somewhere to explore your missions calling, you...
#6729
May 20, 2021
Less than one in 5,000 of Poland ’s inhabitants knows Jesus, making this country one of the least reached in the world. Recently, Vance began...
#6666
May 10, 2021
Sixteen:Fifteen exists to help local churches discover and use their unique gifts in partnership with others to make Christ known among all...
#6560
April 12, 2021
Around the world, Christians face persecution for their faith. This can take the form of political opposition, denial of work, death threats...
#6366
March 31, 2021
Auburn Grace Community Church in Northern California draws our attention to an important question we often forget to ask: “What is my role in...
#6522
March 29, 2021
In Western Asia, there is a country that has a less than one percent evangelical presence, leaving most of its people without hope, including the...
#6502
March 17, 2021
Throughout the villages scattered across the Central African Republic (CAR), thousands of orphaned children struggle to survive. In this culture,...
#6489
March 10, 2021
Music is something that anyone can connect with, regardless of language, culture, or background. Thierry, the director of our Transformation Works...
#6437
March 3, 2021
Pastor Artur reports on the ways God has blessed his ministry in Castanhal, Brazil. He and his church focus on observing and developing believers’...
#6345
February 10, 2021
100 years ago this month, James Gribble arrived in Oubangui-Chari, one of the least-reached regions in Central Africa (today in the Central...
#6281
February 1, 2021
In Cameroon, Doug and Jacquie teach at the Bible Institute, training couples to be leaders in their churches who have a solid biblical foundation....
#6291
January 27, 2021
When James Gribble first entered central Africa as a pioneer missionary, there were no Christians in the area. He described it as going to “the...
#6221
January 12, 2021
On December 21, Evelyn Johnson met Jesus face to face. What an entrance into heaven that must have been after a long life of faithful ministry....
#6119
December 23, 2020
The picturesque villages scattered across the plains of Western Asia, in view of the majestic mountains beyond, look sun-bathed and peaceful. But...
#6089
December 16, 2020
Diambu*’s hand trembles as he lifts the chikwangue to his mouth. He hasn’t eaten for hours, and it seemed like his mom would never finish...
#6003
December 9, 2020
Encompass World Partners recently received the news that former missionary George Peters passed away. George and his wife Jane served with us in...
#6019
December 9, 2020
If you saw Barb Wooler in the coffee aisle at Walmart, you probably wouldn’t think “cross-country cyclist.” A short, friendly woman with...
#5966
November 23, 2020
We received word this week of the passing, due to COVID19-related symptoms, of former Encompass missionary Lester Kennedy. The Kennedy’s served in...
#5974
November 19, 2020
Up in the Nagano Mountains of Japan, at the end of a sloping gravel driveway, sits a tidy, white cabin. Just a short drive from Tokyo, this...
#5822
November 5, 2020
We recently received news that former Encompass missionary Amy Guerena went to be with Jesus. She and her husband Phil served as missionaries in...
#5852
October 30, 2020
In July, one of our information technology service partners, Blackbaud, informed us that it had experienced a cyberattack resulting in a security...
#5734
October 7, 2020
Ralph glanced up just in time to see Shinri’s head disappear behind the door frame. Smiling, he looked back at his Bible and continued to read....
#5721
October 6, 2020
“We’ve done everything we can for your husband,” the doctor said gently, his voice crackling through the receiver.
Exhausted from battling...
#5701
September 30, 2020
On October 8, Encompass mobilizer John Ward will be hosting a webinar with Sixteen:Fifteen on the topic of his book Discerning Your Calling ....
#5679
September 22, 2020
Encompass has received word that Stanley Nairn has passed into the presence of the Lord. Stan and his wife Betty and family were Encompass...
#5465
September 4, 2020
At the end of last year, Catalyst Services’ list of Best Missions Books of 2019 featured Encompass’ recent book, Discerning...
#5378
September 3, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing into eternity of Charlotte Austin. Charlotte and her husband Gordon served with Encompass...
#5349
August 27, 2020
In Argentina, the Church of Córdoba has been busy during this season of isolation and confusion. Here are seven ways members have banded together...
#5257
August 19, 2020
Often we don’t realize how God will use our lives. Sometimes it’s in unexpected ways. Recently, a woman in France who had been impacted by our...
#5210
August 12, 2020
Not everyone is ready to go the moment they feel God calling them to missions. The same reason it isn’t recommended that you show up at the...
#5133
August 10, 2020
Just a few hours ago, an Argentine woman surveyed her empty cupboards and lifted up a silent prayer: “God, how do I last until Friday?” But now,...
#5114
August 1, 2020
A white pickup truck rumbles along the dirt road, its rusty bed laden with plump fabric sacks, the material stretched taut over the many pounds of...
#5067
July 24, 2020
Beverly Garber, a long-time Encompass missionary to the Central Africa Republic, passed into the Lord’s presence on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Bev...
#5056
July 16, 2020
During the last week of July 2020, Encompass is partnering with Charis Fellowship for its virtual WeAreOne event. This gathering celebrates...
#5018
July 8, 2020
Encompass staff member Karen discusses how we can be intentional in combating prejudice in our societies. She describes a few of the issues she...
#4998
July 7, 2020
It is with sad hearts that we report the passing of beloved Encompass missionary Larry DeArmey. On June 25, Larry underwent surgery to remove...
#4980
July 2, 2020
Normally, the sun over Manila beats down on the numerous shoppers haggling in outdoor thrift stores, the metal roofs of rumbling Jeepneys...
#4963
June 29, 2020
As the cross-cultural arm of the Charis Fellowship of North America, Encompass World Partners stands with the leaders and influencers of our...
#4916
June 5, 2020
Former Encompass missionary Jane Peters has passed away. She served with her husband, George, in the Central African Republic for 14 years...
#4908
June 4, 2020
When we read the news, we find conflicting reports, uncertainty, fear, and in some cases even panic. Confusion is rampant during this time, and if...
#4858
June 1, 2020
As restrictions keep us indoors and prevent us from face-to-face interaction, our team is turning to technology, driving a new wave of ministry...
#4847
May 25, 2020
COVID-19 has amplified the pervasive poverty that has long gripped certain regions in Central Asia. People who were already living in the margins...
#4821
May 18, 2020
We can all relate to how our lives have altered over the past few weeks—how we are all working to accept a ‘new normal’, even if we aren’t used to...
#4780
May 4, 2020
The entire world is paused—travel has all but ceased, restaurants and stores are closed, churches are empty. To God’s people, this feels like...
#4699
April 27, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis poses significant challenges that have complex implications on our global team. Read our responses to these frequently asked...
#4675
April 22, 2020
APRIL 25, 2020
3:00 PM (EDT) // 12:00 PM (PDT) // 20:00 (AFRICA) // 21:00 (FRANCE)
On the ten year anniversary of his death, you are invited...
#4661
April 21, 2020
God is masterful at using the worst situations to bring out the best results. Throughout Scripture, there are countless stories of circumstances...
#4649
April 16, 2020
Even though much of the world has come to a halt, God’s work hasn’t stopped. It is often in the darkness that His light has the opportunity to...
#4633
April 7, 2020
With hundreds of countries around the world executing lockdowns in different ways, there is a surprising number of similarities in what we are all...
#4617
April 6, 2020
“Do I pray for the whole world? Or do I pray for my friend, who is anxiously nursing her husband and uncle who have the virus?” Louise Klawitter,...
#4608
April 2, 2020
Former Encompass missionary, Gail L. Jones, went home to her Lord and Savior on March 17, 2020, a few days short of her 96th birthday. Gail served...
#4601
April 1, 2020
The Coronavirus has taken more than life and health. For Filipinos in particular, it has destroyed their jobs, their livelihoods, and their...
#4538
March 30, 2020
When crises arise, such as this season of illness, death, and uncertainty generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we all too easily succumb to fear. We...
#4523
March 26, 2020
As the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to ravage the globe, everyone at Encompass World Partners cares deeply about keeping our staff members safe....
#4459
March 20, 2020
The world continues to navigate the COVID-19 crisis. And in the Central African Republic, the Security Sector of Reform Institution at the...
#4415
March 19, 2020
March 19 – Dijon, France
Yesterday, as I prayed through the morning (in the Book of Prayers I have been using for the past few years), this...
#4405
March 19, 2020
We received word yesterday of the passing of Kathryn Hoyt. Kathryn and her husband, Solon, served faithfully together in Argentina for 38 years....
#4166
March 17, 2020
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) sweeps headlines across the world, it is difficult to know what to believe and how to respond. Authorities are...
#4084
March 12, 2020
Though based on probable events, this is a fictional account. In this access-limited location, Encompass is not restricted to the types of...
#4050
March 11, 2020
At the age of 90, Ruth Ann Theobald went to be with her Savior on Thursday, March 5, 2020, in her home in Winona Lake, IN.
While attending...
#4020
March 10, 2020
Have you experienced it...that moment when the Spirit of God makes you restless, earnest, and curious? Every time you hear conversation and...
#2502
August 2, 2019
A primary goal of the Encompass home office is to support their workers in the field. This dedicated, caring team works behind the scenes to...
#2407
July 31, 2019
“Something asked as a question rather than a declarative statement brings a whole different reaction.” It is this wisdom that guides Tom, Director...
#2403
July 31, 2019
The work hours are long, the roads are longer, and sleep is a luxury. This is life on tour. For the past couple of years, Theo has been...
#2398
July 31, 2019
Is there something better out there? Ethan Fogle was living out his dreams, but even he couldn’t help but ask this question. Was this FOBO (fear...
#2391
July 31, 2019
In life and logic, there are many good and necessary consequences. One of those consequences became evident to me just recently. Christian,...
#2388
July 31, 2019
You’re a young single woman living in a foreign country, learning a new language and culture, and juggling all the responsibilities of a new...
#2385
July 31, 2019
Students and their families at the James Gribble Leadership Center in Bangui are mourning the unexpected loss of two students.
Alfred...
#2381
July 31, 2019
There are times when God’s call comes like a bolt of lightning, but more often, it is a gradual unveiling. Manuel Olivas had been interested in...
#2376
July 31, 2019
Gospel witness can start with buying someone a cup of coffee, or by helping someone thousands of miles away get a cup of coffee. In the fall of...
#2372
July 31, 2019
Starting a new job is always a challenge, and even more so when that job is half a world away. That’s what Megan* was facing when she left the US...
#2369
July 31, 2019
Culture shifts of the last 20 years have affected nearly every area of church life and ministry, but perhaps none more so than missions....
#2366
July 31, 2019
What does Notre Dame and Tiger Woods have to do with Holy Week? Sounds like the set-up to a bad dad joke, right? Well, you’re going to have to...
#2363
July 31, 2019
The Barna Group has released a new report called Reviving Evangelism . The study looks at the faith-sharing experiences and expectations of...
#2360
July 31, 2019
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save...
#2357
July 31, 2019
The World Watch List 1 published by Open Doors counts 65 countries where Christians are persecuted. In places at the top of the list, like...
#1406
March 25, 2019
Like so many missionaries in closed countries, Aaron and Beth’s* daily lives look different from those of traditional church planters in other...
#1404
March 25, 2019
A recent Barna study found that 51% of churchgoers in the United States do not know what the Great Commission is, and though 25%...
#863
March 21, 2019
James Gribble and the Pioneering Missionaries of Central Africa Celebrating 100 Years | A Visual Retrospective The western section...
#830
March 20, 2019
by Dr. Florence Gribble with Rob Wilkins Whether mobilizing prayer, pursuing young Florence, battling illness, or blazing new trails to the...
#824
March 20, 2019
It’s easy to think of prayer as a solitary endeavor, a conversation just between God and yourself. If we do pray with others, it can often...
#789
March 13, 2019
Relational Bridges in Southeast Asia Most countries do not lay out a red carpet for the gospel. “For the word of the cross is...
#612
March 11, 2019
The Basics Care teams ensure that every church-supported missionary has formed a bond with a group of people from your church for communication,...
#607
March 11, 2019
What Did The Church Do? Rather than looking at those “going” (like Peter & Paul), these verses pull out the incidental comments of...
#603
March 11, 2019
Why Every Encompass Worker Gets a Ministry Coach “Go and make disciples.” Every cross-cultural worker with Encompass is entrusted...
#601
March 11, 2019
by Brian Smith & Randy Alcorn You can’t take it with you—but you can send it on ahead. "Do not store up for yourselves...
#598
March 11, 2019
by Tom Julien Wherever Truth is Shared Four laws that are applicable in all situations where truth is shared, whether in reaching,...
#593
March 11, 2019
Who sends someone overseas? A church? A missions agency? Encompass believes that a healthy sending will include the missionary, their church, and...
#590
March 11, 2019
by John Ward
I have had the great blessing of serving people through the ministry of mobilization at Encompass since 2007. One of the best...
#586
March 11, 2019
by Dave Guiles
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”
Jesus shared these words with his disciples some 2,000...
#582
March 11, 2019
by Dave Guiles Every Christ-follower can and should be mobilized to make disciples among the nations. But how much do those who attend your...
#578
March 11, 2019
Discerning Your Calling serves as the compass in the Path Series and is designed for those considering the call to go and...
#571
March 11, 2019
I'll admit...I have some pretty funny stories of me trying to learn kickboxing in a foreign language, but those stories are not as worthy of...
#749
March 6, 2019
We invite your church to participate in MissionDay. This special one-day emphasis is designed to help us all focus on global missions, to pray...
#453
February 27, 2019
by Florence N. Gribble Dr. Florence Gribble's record is an inspiring story of the detailed and individual way in which God provides for those...
#450
February 27, 2019
by Ruth Snyder Weeding an onion patch, facing an armed witch doctor, traveling the roadless savannas of central Africa were events in the...
#447
February 27, 2019
by Florence N. Gribble James S. Gribble was a "pioneer missionary" in the deepest and truest sense of that term. In his short ministry James...
#444
February 27, 2019
by Tom Julien This is the fictional but true-to-life story of missionary "John" and how he comes to the ministry-changing conclusion: "Missions...
#442
February 27, 2019
If God is good, why does He allow suffering?
Encompass’ Crisis Response Network Director Barb Wooler has experienced tragedies first-hand,...
#438
February 27, 2019
This debriefing worksheet will help encourage individuals who went on a short-term trip without a team. It's a personal way of debriefing from a...
#434
February 27, 2019
Jesus urged his disciples to count the cost of following him, concluding with the words, “Anyone of you who does not renounce all that he has...
#753
February 27, 2019
Working Towards a Robust Theology of Women on Mission We are delighted to announce the publication of this anthology of more than 250 pages...
#418
February 26, 2019
An old paradigm for missions divided Christians into two categories: goers and senders. The people who went gave up their careers to overseas...
#751
February 20, 2019
Photographer Erica Manning was praying for God to provide new ways for her to serve others. To her surprise, how God ended up answering her...
#755
February 13, 2019
Last week was our team’s fourth time visiting a migrant's home in the city. The other visits had been more random. But this time, we wanted to...
#757
February 6, 2019
William and Joan Darr know how difficult is for young families in America to move somewhere else so that sound theological training may be...
#759
January 30, 2019
Since the Central African Republic gained independence from France in 1960, the tiny nation located between Chad and the Democratic Republic of...
#761
January 25, 2019
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.”—Psalm 82:3. Those of us living in the US...
#767
January 23, 2019
Sometimes when we set out to serve others, we end up more challenged and inspired by those we serve than they are by us. In those moments, we...
#765
January 18, 2019
Jessica Pietro thought it would be a great idea to host a small dinner for some of her church’s visiting missionaries. And to her surprise, what...
#763
January 11, 2019
When a nation does not value integrity and moral virtue, the effects are felt in all levels of society. Dr. Augustin Hibaile noticed in his...
#775
January 2, 2019
It was a humble beginning, but God had big plans for the baby boy born August 10, 1960, at Bocaranga near the Nzoro District in the Central...
#773
December 19, 2018
A few years prior to his unexpected death, John Allen Chau, an All Nations missionary, devoted his time, resources, and heart to carrying...
#777
December 12, 2018
Christmas in Poland Countries all around the world celebrate Christmas—but they don’t always know what it’s about. Why is...
#6051
December 9, 2018
Christmas in Cambodia Countries all around the world celebrate Christmas—but they don’t always know what it’s about. Why do...
#6048
December 9, 2018
Christmas in England Countries all around the world celebrate Christmas—but they don’t always know what it’s about....
#6035
December 9, 2018
Christmas in Japan Countries all around the world celebrate Christmas—but they don’t always know what it’s about. What is...
#6006
December 8, 2018
Two thousand years ago, Jesus commanded believers to "go and make disciples of all nations…” Los Altos Grace Church, a Charis Fellowship...
#779
December 5, 2018
I knew it was clickbait . But the title still drew me deep into the paragraphs that followed, and I discovered surprising facts that ought to...
#781
December 3, 2018
Motorcycle Club is not a typical Christian ministry. Seven years ago, Encompass Board Member Ted Rondeau launched Free Christian Motorcycle Club...
#783
November 28, 2018
If your child had a burst appendix in the middle of the night, what would you do? If you live in the United States, you would probably drive a...
#799
November 21, 2018
What a wonderful blessing it is to see the Word of God entrusted to faithful men and women who are able to teach others also!
Even though...
#785
November 15, 2018
In a country that is home to 13 million people, there is only one doctor per 22,000 residents. And when these residents need medical attention,...
#801
November 14, 2018
Even with pictures and videos, it’s still difficult to fully grasp the destructive power and havoc of a hurricane unless you’ve encountered it...
#787
November 9, 2018
As I was browsing Facebook early in the morning, I came across an article covering the Wesco tragedy in Cameroon. This was the first I had heard...
#803
November 2, 2018
Can you picture it? A small waiting room, every chair taken, other people standing, pacing, all awaiting their turn. The lady behind the desk...
#805
October 29, 2018
So, you want to be a missionary? Here are a few things to consider.
The following applies to any Christian, but they are especially...
#809
October 24, 2018
Flexibility and availability are key when it comes to church planting among least-reached people groups. That’s what Maddox and Skye* have...
#813
October 22, 2018
Oumar 1 is an unlikely church planter. Born into an Islamic family among one of the least-reached people groups, he was the son of the village...
#815
October 17, 2018
There are so many ways to share the gospel of Jesus because there are so many unique people in the world.
You may have learned some great...
#807
October 12, 2018
Many churches may face the issue of helping believers feel empowered to leave their comfort zones and engage in mission work. As Grace Polaris...
#811
October 10, 2018
Here are two thought-provoking questions to answer today. First, what’s your Global Missions involvement like? Second, have you ever heard of the...
#868
October 3, 2018
The child had spent most of her life lying on the floor. Her atrophied muscles caused her to curl up into a fetal position. Her mother or...
#817
October 1, 2018
If you’ve never had the opportunity to see how God is working through people to make disciples of all nations, Encompass Encounter trips are a...
#869
September 28, 2018
Amber and Sarah have been in Western Asia for several months now. One important task on their to-do list is getting residency papers. This is a...
#873
September 26, 2018
Pioneer missionary James Gribble first claimed land in the Central African Republic for a mission site one hundred years ago. He dreamed that...
#881
September 24, 2018
What would you sacrifice for gospel ministry? One evening a week to lead a Bible study or work on a committee, perhaps? A bit of money to attend...
#878
September 19, 2018
Encompass staff members Bill and Becky work with refugees and displaced people in the United Kingdom. Their "Speaking Allowed" classes offer...
#874
September 14, 2018
At least 35 Charis churches reside in the impact zone of Hurricane Florence, slated to make landfall on Friday, September 14. Encompass Crisis...
#879
September 12, 2018
As Encompass celebrated the 100-Year Anniversary of our pioneer team beginning work in central Africa, Executive Director Dave Guiles...
#883
September 7, 2018
As Encompass celebrated the 100-Year Anniversary of our pioneer team beginning work in central Africa, Executive Director Dave Guiles shared the...
#724
September 4, 2018
Personnel Assistant, Lindsay, does everything with excellence and has a heart for all people. She helps everyone at Encompass go further together...
#722
August 30, 2018
Our newest Hope Team recently moved to Western Asia. This encouraging story comes from the team’s latest experience learning the culture and the...
#888
August 21, 2018
Robert Nugent, staff arranger and songwriter at Grace Polaris Church, a Charis Fellowship congregation in Westerville, Ohio (Mike Yoder, lead...
#887
August 17, 2018
Today in Central Africa a movement is flourishing in seven countries. Nine Bible Institutes and two Graduate Schools are preparing a new generation...
#720
August 3, 2018
At Grace College, the Education department encourages their students to intentionally incorporate cultural expressions in their...
#894
August 1, 2018
Encompass Global Worker Beth is helping guide fifteen young people on a Nomadic Truck Venture.
This is a 5-week mobile,...
#898
July 27, 2018
Recently, the people of Oak Hills Presbyterian Church in Milwaukie, Oregon witnessed the power of God’s work among the nations through the...
#900
July 25, 2018
I don’t think James Gribble ever started out to be a hero.
I don’t think he wrote in his diary hoping that someday someone would copy it...
#901
July 23, 2018
What is God calling me to do in life? Have you ever wrestled with that question? As a Christian, it’s an important thing to ask even...
#905
July 20, 2018
Your life is a story of constant transition. You’re always leaving a chapter behind while moving on to the next one.
Transition:...
#906
July 18, 2018
In 1883, James Gribble was born in Mechanicsburg, PA. Over half of his life was spent serving in the mission of God to reach the world for...
#909
July 11, 2018
Our newest Hope Team recently moved to Western Asia to begin their ministry. This great story comes from the team’s first month.
The Hope...
#911
July 4, 2018
Volcanoes in Guatemala and Hawaii. Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Rising floodwaters in Sri Lanka. Disasters like these are reminders that the...
#918
June 26, 2018
Jeremy Rosario Maldonado’s heart ached as he watched news coverage of the devastation from Hurricane Maria. Originally from Puerto Rico,...
#917
June 19, 2018
The Château is a ministry of Encompass World Partners, a retreat center used by evangelical churches and individuals from all over Europe....
#921
June 13, 2018
A few months before getting married, Katie and her fiancé Cory attended a promotional event for her college at a local church. What started out...
#922
June 8, 2018
One of the most significant events in the whole Bible is in Acts chapter 10! Can you guess what it is? Hopefully, what happened then will happen...
#925
June 1, 2018
One small team of Cedarville students plans to serve more than 90 different people groups within the span of six days. How?
By traveling...
#926
May 23, 2018
During a short-term mission trip to Haiti, high schooler Ally saw for the first time a beautiful display of international ministry where teams...
#931
May 17, 2018
This is a new era in world missions, one that requires fresh approaches to reaching the lost. No longer can we simply set up a church, invite...
#935
May 15, 2018
Over 70% of people in the world today are oral learners. That’s over five billion people who prefer to receive information via spoken stories or...
#930
May 9, 2018
At the CHOOSE JESUS conference in St. Albain, many French youths age 15–25 had the opportunity to engage with God, grapple with significant life...
#934
May 9, 2018
She had never been on an overseas short-term missions trip before, but after a couple of days in Thailand with her church, Adriana told God, “If...
#938
April 27, 2018
Driven by a passion for strengthening global church leaders, Florent Varak is finding new ways to train pastors in the art of preaching. His...
#946
April 24, 2018
Encompass Global Worker Ralph Justiniano has been working with short-term mission teams for several years. Here are three of his challenges for...
#939
April 20, 2018
Church planting is an essential first step in bringing the gospel to a new region. But for a church to thrive over time, its leaders must be...
#943
April 17, 2018
At Encompass World Partners, we love it when we see local churches creatively celebrate global cultures and actively promote reaching the...
#942
April 13, 2018
First off, my earthly dad is one amazing man of God. I especially love how he cares for me and my mom with a steadfast love in an old school...
#947
April 6, 2018
The Bible gives us a stunning image of God’s church: a living, breathing body composed of all types of people, gathered from all nations, united...
#954
April 3, 2018
It doesn’t matter what nations they come from, or what their culture is. They’re all God’s people, praising and worshiping Him with...
#951
March 30, 2018
The New Testament tells the gripping story of God establishing his Church. Working for years in Poland to establish and grow the local church,...
#950
March 19, 2018
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul encourages the church to pray without ceasing . Really? Without ceasing? What about sleep? What about when I...
#958
March 19, 2018
Helping others process what God is doing in their life and shepherding their burden for the nations is what Juli Ressler calls her dream job ....
#974
March 13, 2018
According to the United Nations international communications agency, more than three billion people currently have access to the internet;...
#957
March 9, 2018
For John and Shari Jones, their first eight months of serving in France have been a valuable lesson in embracing helplessness.
Often, it’s...
#968
March 7, 2018
Roro, Chad is among the most remote places on the planet , and access to basic healthcare in the region is extremely limited....
#961
March 7, 2018
You don’t have to be a cross-cultural worker or a vocational global missionary to make disciples where you are now.
One encouragement our...
#962
March 2, 2018
Annette is an 11-year-old who started attending the Hand-in-Hand Orphan School in GAGA, Central African Republic, three years ago after her...
#965
February 23, 2018
Roy and Holly Angle began their ministry in Dublin, Ireland with a concrete vision of what church planting would look like. But with time and...
#973
February 16, 2018
Hurricanes are powerful, but they’re no match for the love of Christ in action.
Kevin Smith, a member of Ashland Grace Church , a...
#966
February 9, 2018
Missionaries are not robots, they are humans with human needs. Encompass World Partners’ Member Care team meets those needs with...
#984
February 6, 2018
Though all ministry plans have to be held in open hands, it’s important to begin the work with vision and strategy. At Encompass World Partners,...
#982
February 6, 2018
Every one of us is called to make disciples, but in order to do that, we must first be discipled ourselves. The work of discipling those who...
#986
February 6, 2018
Cross-cultural learning is not solely a Global Missions activity. It’s a relational investment that’s valuable in several different contexts....
#977
January 31, 2018
In a variety of ways, the advance of social media and communications technology is positively impacting the Global Missions community. For Rob...
#981
January 24, 2018
A.W. Tozer, an early 20th-century pastor and Christian author, once said, “The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil...
#988
January 17, 2018
Being able to connect with friends and family is not a new value. As social beings, we have always depended on various forms of communication to...
#990
January 12, 2018
As a young child, Dadje Samuel was drawn to the small Sunday School that recently opened in his African village. A few years after accepting...
#1000
December 22, 2017
Chad, Africa has over 140 distinct ethnolinguistic people groups, and several hundred thousand immigrants and refugees from other countries....
#997
December 21, 2017
People and cultures all around the world celebrate Christmas differently, which is amazing and beautiful! Whether it is through the food we...
#998
December 11, 2017
The third letter of John is not exactly the most popular passage of scripture in our sermons, books, blogs, or social media posts, but when...
#1008
November 27, 2017
On November 19, 2017, Encompass World Partners Executive Director Dave Guiles had the privilege of speaking at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley,...
#712
November 22, 2017
“The Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives.”...
#1013
November 17, 2017
From their humble beginnings to their global footprint today, the churches of The Charis Alliance share a common quest to faithfully and...
#1018
November 10, 2017
The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) unveiled a new name and logo yesterday in a live stream video event from Akron,...
#1023
November 8, 2017
There is a unique evangelistic opportunity afforded by thousands of pilgrims walking on an old network of paths stretching across France, Spain,...
#1026
November 3, 2017
“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is! Missions exists because worship doesn't.” –John Piper
Have you ever traced...
#1029
October 20, 2017
This brief, animated history of the Charis Alliance was created in conjunction with the first annual Charis Celebration Sunday, November 5, 2017....
#710
October 18, 2017
The CALLED series is a collection of testimonies that highlight the amazing ways God prepares the hearts of his people for their role in the...
#1032
October 14, 2017
Several FGBC leaders from around the Midwest gathered last week in Ohio at the 2017 Central Focus Retreat. Along with the fellowship and...
#1041
October 6, 2017
The Gateway Church community in Pennsylvania recently celebrated their 20th anniversary. Even from its humble beginnings, the church has always...
#1036
October 6, 2017
Grace Church in Wooster, Ohio has been around for over 75 years, and they are a beautiful example of a community which sends out its own to...
#1038
October 6, 2017
Inspired by his first overseas missions trip, Pastor Joe Caruso has been working steadily on the global outreach efforts of Grace Church of...
#1035
October 6, 2017
If you've ever raised support before, you may have experienced a few brick walls on your way. In those moments, it all seems impossible to find...
#1043
September 27, 2017
Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf was one of the most influential mission leaders of the modern Protestant missionary movement in the 18th...
#1046
September 18, 2017
While teaching little children about Jesus and love, have you ever wondered if they were getting it? How much are they really comprehending?...
#1049
September 13, 2017
As Hurricane Irma churned its way across the Carribean, Grace Brethren congregations in Florida prepared in case the storm would make landfall...
#1052
September 8, 2017
In Japan, where less than one percent of the population is an evangelical Christian, reaching youth is critical to seeing the gospel take root....
#1057
September 6, 2017
Though the genocide and civil wars of the last century have wounded the people and progress of Cambodia, there is hope in the next generation....
#1054
September 6, 2017
My friend was the most passionate and well-equipped person for Global Missions that I had ever seen. Why her passion was curbed and...
#1062
September 1, 2017
When I was growing up, I had no shortage of WWJD bracelets from my local church.
Other than gel pens, these stylish accesories...
#1066
August 23, 2017
Missionaries are the fingertips of the body of Christ touching those who have never heard the joys of Christ. And they are not alone for a whole...
#1069
August 21, 2017
When I was in my teens and twenties, I could easily have been persuaded to become a career missionary except for one thing: There’s no way I was...
#1076
August 2, 2017
"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" - Corrie ten Boom
Since 1977, John Ravert and his wife Christie have attended the New...
#1078
July 21, 2017
“You have to find the cards that you’ve got and learn how to play them. For me, in these cultures, there is such a high respect for older...
#1081
July 17, 2017
When church planters Larry and Sylvia Totzke (pictured below) first settled into to their new home in Portland, Oregon, they decided to reach...
#1082
July 10, 2017
When you open your eyes and heart, chances are doors will open too.
Over the past several years, Columbus, Ohio has taken in large groups...
#1088
July 7, 2017
When Encompass Global Workers John and Becky Pappas came to Germany in 1977 to serve the German people, they never imagined that toward the end...
#1087
July 7, 2017
“I know I am supposed to develop strategies and tactics to ensure I am being effective in ministry, but I’ve never been much of a...
#1085
July 7, 2017
The CALLED series is a collection of testimonies that highlight the amazing ways God prepares the hearts of his people for their role in the...
#1090
July 6, 2017
The Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world. Initially, it was made on behalf of the traditional Hindu god...
#1095
June 28, 2017
Sometimes, the hardest task the Encompass Crisis Response Network must undertake is deciding when and where to expend their efforts.
After...
#1096
June 21, 2017
As a teenager, you may have gone through the “I want to become a Marine Biologist” phase, or at least knew someone who did. This was Jennifer...
#1101
June 14, 2017
After moving to Southeast Asia several years ago, a team of Encompass Global Workers soon discovered the need to creatively blur the lines...
#1106
June 9, 2017
Isaiah 61:1 says, “The Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to...
#1102
June 9, 2017
It makes no sense to light a lamp only to place it under a basket unless you do not want the light to have its full effect nor desire a...
#1105
June 9, 2017
After a whole school year of anticipation, Joachin has received his Roughrider Off-Road Wheelchair, which was delivered to him personally by...
#1109
June 8, 2017
Opening his office door in the early morning, Ted Rondeau walks in and switches on his desk lamp to illuminate the darkroom before sitting down...
#1110
May 26, 2017
Every year, a large influx of students and professionals from Japan come to the U.S. temporarily for a variety of reasons. This window has...
#1113
May 24, 2017
Since 1939, Women of Grace USA has encouraged women to grow in their relationship with Christ and actively engage in the mission of God....
#1114
May 22, 2017
Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple Inc., once said, “When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty...
#1118
May 19, 2017
When Greg Burgess started Publications for African Youth (PJA), he had two goals. First, he wanted to help create meaningful content with...
#1116
May 19, 2017
In every culture, the power of storytelling echoes profoundly in the cavern of the human experience. Stories work their way into our hearts, and...
#1121
May 18, 2017
The CALLED series is a collection of stories that highlight the amazing ways God prepares the hearts of people for their role in Global...
#1122
May 16, 2017
In recent years, Cameron and Harmony’s unexpected adventures in Southeast Asia have inspired a saying, which they remember every morning. “You...
#1127
April 28, 2017
Last week, a diverse group of Encompass constituents completed the newly revised CORE Training at the Encompass World Partners Home Office in...
#1128
April 21, 2017
In the last several weeks, heavy rain showers, brought on by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, have generated an...
#1130
April 17, 2017
When Dan Jackson was asked by Ashland Grace Church to take on the task of overseeing both the Small Group and Missions ministries at the church,...
#1133
April 13, 2017
Late night, in a sweet-smelling coffee shop on a college campus, I listen to the struggles of a girl who does not know what to do with the call...
#1137
April 13, 2017
In the summer of 2015, Abby Horvat was on her way to an internship at the Northstar Alpine Lodge ministry in Matsumoto, Japan. She thought back...
#1134
April 13, 2017
The Education Department of the Association of Grace Brethren Churches of Chad (AEEFT) has negotiated a total of 11 Chadian teachers into the...
#1139
April 7, 2017
For 37 years, David and Susie Hobert have been developing relational bridges in France, and they are still finding new ways to connect with...
#1140
April 4, 2017
The “Called” series is a collection of testimonies that highlight the amazing ways God prepares the hearts of his people for their role in the...
#1143
March 31, 2017
For many years the Grace Center in Battambang, Cambodia has rooted itself in the heart of the city, meeting the needs of a community without a...
#1147
March 15, 2017
After nearly five years of faithful living in their community, John Ward (Encompass Director of Mobilization) and his wife Kate are seeing...
#1153
March 10, 2017
The desire to establish a regional base for multi-ethnic churches was a key factor for Encompass World Partners in the decision to move their...
#1154
March 10, 2017
The first of the Encounter Atlanta Teams have kicked off 2017! Adults from the Liberty Grace Church and several college students from the...
#1148
March 10, 2017
When Encompass World Partners moved its headquarters from Winona Lake, Indiana to Atlanta, GA, in 2012, one of the reasons was a desire to...
#1158
March 9, 2017
Joachin is 13 years old. He has been paralyzed in both legs since birth, and during recent rebel attacks in the Central African Republic, he was...
#1159
March 7, 2017
In December, the Center for International Development of Ethical Leadership (CIDEL), dedicated a new chapel on the University of Bangui campus...
#1164
March 3, 2017
Last November, leaders in the Central African Republic gathered for a Global Evangelists Forum with a focus on reconciliation and healing....
#1168
February 21, 2017
Soon after Tyler accepted Christ in college, God called him to go preach the gospel in a place where Christians were scarce.
Eight years ago,...
#1166
February 20, 2017
The CALLED series is a collection of stories that highlight the amazing ways God prepares the hearts of people for their role in Global...
#1171
February 11, 2017
Great partnerships often start as simple relationships.
In the late 1970s, after 14 years of work in Brazil, Encompass Global Workers...
#1173
February 8, 2017
In 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. Communism was diminishing in Eastern Europe, and each change opened doors for evangelical ministries....
#1176
February 8, 2017
On Christmas day in the Philippines, a massive typhoon called Nock-ten (Nina) ripped through the mainland, causing heavy damage to buildings,...
#1182
February 1, 2017
Why does God call us to dangerous places?
If your heart beats for the nations to know God and you understand that millions of people who...
#1184
January 30, 2017
The desire to unite our fellowship of churches around the world with a common identity and a collective mission birthed the Charis Alliance...
#1188
January 27, 2017
The Called Series is a collection of testimonies that display the amazing way God develops the hearts of his people for Missions. Through this...
#1189
January 23, 2017
When you are immersed in a culture that is widely influenced by Christianity, it can be difficult to remember there are people in the world that...
#1191
January 18, 2017
One morning, Pastor Jeu, a ministry partner of Wayne and Ellen Patton, was walking along a beach in Cotijuba, Brazil when he encountered an old...
#1194
January 16, 2017
More Muslims have come to Christ in the last 20 years, than in all the centuries before combined. The Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts of...
#1202
January 9, 2017
God’s work often takes paths that we would never expect. Bailey had thought that she would serve God in Spain, but she soon realized that was...
#1199
January 9, 2017
Encompass World Partners is committed to mobilizing individuals and churches to fulfill their roles in the Great Commission. The Kairos course...
#1206
January 5, 2017
Have you heard of the term “laser-focused”? As you might imagine, it describes someone who is extremely focused on something, maybe a goal –...
#1208
January 3, 2017
Many unique Christmas traditions and rituals are practiced all around the world during the holiday season. Take a look at some of these fun...
#1210
December 24, 2016
Have you ever noticed that life naturally drifts towards self-indulgence and self-interest? Being many years into my journey with Christ, I...
#1216
December 21, 2016
Since her 2015 internship in Japan at the NorthStar Lodge, Abby Horvat has been determined to return to the country that filled her with...
#1214
December 16, 2016
More than two years ago Jason and Christy moved their family to Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon, where they help equip students with...
#1218
December 14, 2016
On December 5, the Center for International Development of Ethical Leadership (CIDEL) dedicated a new chapel on the University of...
#1220
December 12, 2016
Encompass World Partners moved its headquarters to Atlanta, GA in 2012, and the desire to reach across cultural boundaries in their new home was...
#1224
December 6, 2016
Susie Agnolutto had been going to the same laundromat for 20 years without experiencing anything more extraordinary than the clothes getting...
#1225
December 5, 2016
Of all the damage caused by the recent civil war in the Central African Republic, some of the worst has been the terrorizing of vulnerable women...
#1235
December 1, 2016
“As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it unto me.” –Matthew 25:40
As war and scarcity impact the lives of so...
#1234
December 1, 2016
When John and Shari Jones gathered their eight grown children together in the beauty of Glacier National Park, they had big news.
After 24...
#1231
December 1, 2016
Jamie is a tech-savvy, community-oriented, well-informed, innovative, compassionate, authentic global citizen. She loves opportunities where she...
#1238
November 28, 2016
If you’ve been tracking with this blog for any amount of time, it’s obvious that we exist to send more fruitful disciple-making teams to the...
#1240
November 23, 2016
Generational profiles help us understand the behaviors and values of people within different age groups.
Pop-culture and historical events...
#1242
November 18, 2016
Movement Day was launched as an initiative of the New York Leadership Center to gather up ministry, marketplace, and non-profit leaders who...
#1244
November 17, 2016
Imagine trying to summarize the entire Bible into 1,000 words, while capturing the overarching narrative in a gospel-saturated language. And on...
#1246
November 14, 2016
In September, Encompass' Transformation Works Network (TWN) director traveled to the Chateau of St. Albain, France for an exciting meeting....
#1248
November 9, 2016
Last February, a small team from Liberty Grace Church in Johnstown, PA headed south to participate in the 2016 Encounter Atlanta trip. They came...
#1250
November 9, 2016
When Encompass Global Workers Ted and Vivien loaded their suitcases into the trunk of a taxi cab in Manila, they were planning an ordinary drive...
#1253
November 8, 2016
Peter is a Missions Ministry leader at Cornerstone Community Church in Ohio, and back in the fall of 2014, he was excited to lead a team to...
#1257
November 7, 2016
Before coming to the U.S. and meeting the Japanese Returnee Ministry Team, Mai attended Tenri University in Nara, Japan. The school is based on...
#1255
November 7, 2016
If God is good, why does He allow suffering?
Encompass’ Crisis Response Network Director Barb Wooler has experienced tragedies first-hand,...
#1268
October 27, 2016
If we are God’s feet and hands, we have to ask where He wants to walk, who He wants to lift up.
When word came through Encompass’ Crisis...
#1266
October 27, 2016
Off the northern coast of the major Brazilian city of Belém, the Island of Cotijuba sits as the gateway to the Amazon River chain. Encompass...
#1265
October 27, 2016
The people of Cotijuba, Brazil have always been cautious of the strangers who visit their island. They are especially suspicious of those who...
#1262
October 27, 2016
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”...
#1273
October 26, 2016
Have you ever learned a new word or idea, and then suddenly it appears in every talk and book you encounter? One day, you didn’t know the word...
#1275
October 24, 2016
Matt Higby was on his way to a prayer meeting when he placed a phone call that he didn’t expect would be answered.
Matt, a recent...
#1300
October 22, 2016
On March 24, 2013, the government of the Central African Republic fell to rebel forces. The final battle was the end of months of the rebels’...
#1277
October 21, 2016
“God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.” –Hudson Taylor
Last Thursday was a beautiful morning in...
#1279
October 17, 2016
On October 7, former Executive Director Tom Julien was awarded Grace College’s Distinguished Service Accolade at a dinner honoring his service....
#1281
October 14, 2016
Most countries do not lay out a red carpet for the gospel. “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing…” 1 Corinthians 1:18....
#1283
October 11, 2016
Imagine trying to complete a top-level ministry degree when your country is in turmoil.
The Central African Republic experienced a...
#1286
October 10, 2016
The Japanese are among the largest unreached people groups in the world today with less than one percent of the population finding peace in...
#1291
October 4, 2016
Did you know that in the Central African Republic over HALF of the churches lack the leadership of a biblically trained pastor?
The Body...
#1294
September 30, 2016
How does a church put into practice the core value of celebrating diversity? Dustin Speaks, mobilization pastor at Grace Polaris Church...
#1299
September 29, 2016
Dragon Con has been in Atlanta for 30 years bringing crowds of over 70,000 to the city each Labor Day weekend. The multi-genre convention...
#1307
September 26, 2016
There is a grand and glorious mosaic that is found in the stories of women in the Bible. It emerges as a picture of men and women, made in the...
#1308
September 16, 2016
Have you ever experienced option fatigue? People who are seeking clarity in the where, when, what, how, and who of missions are often diagnosed...
#1311
September 12, 2016
The fall semester has begun. And let's be honest: we're creatures of habit. Where our spirit desires to practice spiritual disciplines and start...
#1315
August 16, 2016
Ginger Hock has served with Encompass World Partners in Africa for 11 years. She recently shared this story, as told by Hand in Hand orphan...
#1321
August 4, 2016
#730
July 25, 2016
I have had the great blessing of serving people through the ministry of mobilization at Encompass since 2007. One of the best things about my work...
#1325
July 19, 2016
Yes! While reading more and more about Germany, I thought it would be good for [all of us to have] a better picture of what Germany actually...
#1329
July 7, 2016
If you watch or read any news, you have likely heard the term "Brexit" this week. The media use that shorthand word to speak about the UK's...
#1330
July 1, 2016
Let me introduce myself. My name is Kate Ward. I am married to John Ward and I have three beautiful boys, Micah, Camden, and Owen. My husband...
#1339
June 6, 2016
One out of five children in Chad dies before the age of five. And many women die during childbirth. The Medical Works department of the...
#1340
June 3, 2016
Florent Varak, director of Encompass' Church Equipping Network, and Philippe Viguier, pastor of the Grace Brethren church in Lyon, France,...
#1342
June 2, 2016
The joy of hearing God’s call to missions is unlike anything else. When we feel the power of Christ’s commission to go and make disciples of all...
#1344
May 26, 2016
Ethan Higa graduated from Grace College on May 7 following an internship at Encompass.
Walking to my hotel through a rougher part of town...
#1349
May 16, 2016
Encompass loves the partnerships the Lord continues to provide in the pursuit of sending out more workers. As the "master builder," God crafts...
#1351
April 29, 2016
Attenders of an "Engage 5" training session at Encompass headquarters in Atlanta.
What makes cross-cultural workers effective? A call from...
#1353
April 15, 2016
Hand-in-Hand orphan school teacher Yalimon Saint Junior.
I had worked as a tailor in the town of Yaloke, Central African Republic, for 5...
#1357
April 6, 2016
Karina Corrales, Encompass worker in Chad, Africa, recently facilitated a class about Chronological Bible Storying with a group of 23 women from...
#1361
March 21, 2016
When a church is planted, and you see a community of believers established, what comes next? For Encompass, it’s here the work of our...
#1363
March 18, 2016
Ron and Chery Boehm are members of the church and represented Vision Ohio. On December 6, 2015, Western Reserve Grace Church in Macedonia, OH...
#1365
March 16, 2016
In an article for CE National, a church effectiveness ministry, Encompass' Director Emeritus, Tom Julien, shares his thoughts on how busy...
#1367
March 14, 2016
Last week participants from Liberty Grace Brethren Church (Johnstown, PA) , Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church (Martinsburg, PA), and students...
#1369
March 9, 2016
Church planting 101: Find a place that needs a church and start one there. Simple, right? Not exactly. Church planting is so much richer,...
#1373
March 3, 2016
A group of pastors and leaders recently participated in the initial organization of Grace Brethren churches in the Bahamas, potentially named...
#1377
February 29, 2016
I’ve been musing on the apparent tension between global and local mission endeavors during most of my adult life. I was that home-grown kid from...
#1382
February 17, 2016
Did you know that team conflict is one of the most common reasons for why cross-cultural workers leave their field of ministry prematurely? It’s...
#1387
February 5, 2016
Encompass missionaries Wayne and Ellen Patton live and minister on the island of Cotijuba, Brazil, along with their teammates Dave and Kim...
#1389
February 1, 2016
Sadly, it’s time to put my Christmas pants away. I’m not ashamed to admit it: I enjoy some holiday R&R in an old pair of red and green...
#1399
January 4, 2016
