Open Bible, Open Map
This year, AFCI celebrates 75 years of continuous ministry thanks to devoted partners like you who have upheld our original vision of accelerating the spread of the Gospel worldwide. Over seven decades, the sacrificial giving of our donors has enabled AFCI to train teams of nationals to take the saving message of the Gospel to high-risk regions of the world inaccessible to many other ministries. As a matter of fact, AFCI is actively ministering in 11 of the 50 countries identified by Open Doors as having the most extreme persecution.
But there is more to be done. Although we have welcomed three new nations into our AFCI family this year, there are more to reach. Moreover, as our world becomes increasingly perilous, our existing AFCI teams remain intent on carrying the Gospel to unreached people groups, even amidst rising oppression.
The photo above features AFCI’s visionary founders who were inspired by the same passion that moved missionary, William Carey, to write, “To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.” AFCI still pursues this vision by seeking to reach the 42% of the global population who have never heard the Good News, no matter the cost.
This is why I am approaching you, one of our faithful ministry partners. Would you prayerfully consider a year-end gift towards our goal of raising $150,000 for our Greatest Need Fund? Your sacrificial 75th anniversary gift will increase our ability to initiate, support, and expand our strategic ministries around the world. This will provide essential resources to encourage and empower our teams to fulfill the Great Commission in areas of the world where they are persecuted for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Allow me to share a story from AFCI’s strategic ministry in Pakistan, where living as a Christian may cost you everything.
The three million Christians in Pakistan, who comprise less than two percent of the population, have long lived under a shadow of fear and oppression. Most believers live in sheer poverty, consigned to low-wage jobs on the periphery of society.
On August 16, a horrific incident transpired in Jaranwala when self-identified Islamic extremists set fire to 26 churches and around 90 Christian-owned homes in a single day. An additional 100 residences were looted.
After defaced pages of a copy of the Quran were found near this Christian area, local mosques put out a call for revenge over loudspeakers and through social media. Thousands of angry Muslims gathered and ravaged the area for more than ten hours. Women, clutching babies as young as two days old, fled to the nearby sugarcane fields for an agonizing night without food, shelter, or water. It was reported that whenever the mob noise grew close, mothers stuffed cloth into their babies’ mouths to muffle their cries, fearing the attackers would discover and harm them.
The AFCI Pakistan team swiftly mobilized to bring aid to the affected families as well as providing counseling and encouragement in the aftermath of this calamity.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christ’s birth this Christmas, you can show your care for our persecuted brothers and sisters in countries like Pakistan who are approaching this season after losing everything. Your generous contribution will provide for our AFCI teams as they faithfully serve in some of the world’s most dangerous areas for Christians. Please help us meet our goal by giving a special year-end gift today.
Thank you for your partnership as you stand with the faithful ministers of AFCI, unwavering in their
commitment to Christ’s Great Commission, no matter the cost.
In Christ,
Brian Hamilton
International Director
…so that all nations may know of Your salvation (Ps 67:2)
