A tightening is happening in nations hostile to the Gospel. Restrictions are getting more restrictive, not less.

Despite the broader culture’s narrative to “be who you want to be,” there is an increasing pressure in nations restricted to the Gospel to conform and fall into line.

Communistic governments like China and totalitarian regimes like Iran are becoming bolder in their approach towards Christians and other minorities that are in conflict with their agendas.

We’ve seen it in Iran as young people have taken to the streets in protest against the current Iranian regime.

We have shared reports from our Iranian contacts how the government has arrested protestors, taken them to hospitals, and injected them with drugs causing them to overdose. They’ve told their families they are in prison when they are really dead.

Others have literally had their eyeballs removed simply for protesting against the current Islamic regime. Sorry for being so crass. However, it paints a picture of how the Iranian government is trying to provoke fear in the people to maintain control.

While the enemy may be trying to instill fear in people, God is using others like you, me, and Christians in Iran (His Church!) to reach people
for Jesus!

Just over Christmas, World Compassion partners helped reach 1,000 families in Iran! Not to mention the 61,000 people who were presented the gospel message and given a Bible last year! Thank you for your prayers and financial partnership to make this and so much more possible.

Here is a snapshot of the lives we touched together last year:

CUBA

We helped 3 churches continue creating room for growth by supporting extensive build-out projects!

Ukraine

Together in partnership with a European church, we provided urgent relief and ministry to thousands of people impacted by the crisis in Ukraine!

IRAQ

• 483 refugee women were supported to go through our skills training programs in northern Iraq! More importantly, 46 ladies prayed a salvation prayer! • 6,247 families were served and ministered to through our mobile medical clinic! In just one village, 21 families accepted Christ! • 4 mall businesses owned by Christian families were kick-started, helping the Gospel message stay alive in Iraq!

Afghanistan

11 families reached a final destination where we will help them resettle and connect with local churches!

Iran

• 500 emerging leaders went through a new discipleship program we started this year! • 61,000 people were reached with a Bible, and the local church was mobilized in evangelism!

CHINA

5,324 students studied our ABC curriculum. 1,382 of those were new in 2022!

Myanmar

• 500 new ABC students began their studies, bringing the total number of ABC students to 1,112! • 24 future pastors and church leaders attended our Ministry Training Center (MTC) program!

But the work is not done!

We’ve set goals to do whatever it takes to help the Word of God seep through the cracks of communism, totalitarianism, and restrictions and into the hands of the people.

You can read about the ways we plan to accomplish that in 2023 on the insert you received with this letter.

Just last month we shared how China’s tightened restrictions have cut children off from experiencing the Gospel, limited access to the Bible and Bible teachings by banning religious content from being shared online, and put further limitations on the gathering of the Church. Can you imagine? Put yourself in their shoes for a moment.

The heavy hand of communism has tried to snuff out the voice of the people and one of the most fundamental freedoms to humanity – the freedom of religion.

It seems the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is literally trying to choke out the Gospel from going forward in China – but the Bible is the Bread
of Life. It’s the sustenance people need to survive and God has us positioned to make sure they have access.

Once again, your financial partnership is providing spiritual food to thousands of people in China who otherwise would be cut off!

As you read this, World Compassion’s ABC Bible and Leadership curriculum is currently being delivered incognito in the form of book sets and audio devices to 1,000 Christians across China. Thank you to all who faithfully have given to make this possible!

With online access being shut down, the Chinese people are dependent on physical resources. Our audio devices and book sets are giving them access to the teaching and the Bread of Life they need.

It’s people like you – partners of World Compassion and brave Christians in China – who are willing to give financially, pray, and sacrifice their safety to help put our ABC Bible and Leadership material into the hands of people across China. If we don’t, how will they grow spiritually? How will their faith increase? How will the church go forward to the next generation?

We’re planning to help train 4,000 people with our Bible teaching and leadership training material in China and Myanmar in 2023.

Would you be a part of this with us?

Your giving allows us to continue providing Chinese Christians and new believers access to God’s Word – access their government is trying to deny.

You can help provide our ABC Bible and Leadership teaching in China and Myanmar, too, for just $50 (£41).

This will help them walk in an understanding of the Bible, discover their gifts, and better lead the Chinese church in this season despite government opposition!

For $100 (£82) you can help train two emerging leaders, or for $250 (£205) you can help train five leaders through this life-changing program! We have the teams in China ready to go!

As you think about what to give… Did you know that pastors in the Chinese underground church literally preach out of the ABC discipleship material every week in their church?

This means for every student you help support, you’re potentially reaching hundreds more with God’s Word that they need to be sustained, encouraged and empowered!

As we move into our 54th year of ministry, I want to invite you to continue in our mission to empower the local church in nations restricted to the Gospel. Nations like China, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar and Cuba.

This time of year is a great time to evaluate how your passion for missions intersects with the treasure God has entrusted you with.

If you’re not already, would you consider partnering with us monthly? You can do this by easily setting up a specified monthly giving amount on the enclosed card or on our website.

This helps us so much when making plans and budgeting projects around the world. Then, if there is a country project that pricks your heart throughout the year and you want to give something in addition to your monthly amount – you can! Many of our partners give this way.

For example, $21 (£18) every month would help reach 3 people with the Gospel in Iran, or $100 (£84) every month would train two leaders in China or Myanmar through our ABC Bible Training Material. Restrictions seem to be getting tighter, yet we will continue to press on, putting our hand to the plow, not looking back, not looking to the right or left, but keeping our eyes on Jesus and the mission He gave us.

Thank you for being committed to seeing the message of Jesus carried into nations restricted to the Gospel. This year, I believe God is going to continue using you in that way as we ready ourselves to rally around our persecuted brothers and sisters.

This helps us so much when making plans and budgeting projects around the world.

Example: $25 (£20)/month would reach 3 people with the Gospel in Iran. $100 (£82)/month would train two leaders in China or Myanmar through our ABC Bible Training Material.

Every week, World Compassion partners ask for prayer as they are believing for loved ones to come to know Jesus. Every morning, our team prays over these requests. If you need prayer for anything, click here or send us an email at prayer@worldcompassion.tv.