2011 And Beyond « Christian Freedom International
In April of this year my family and I moved to Thailand so I could be closer to the projects that we have developed in S.E. Asia over the past decade and a half. It is a short flight to most of our programs in Laos, Thailand, Burma, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
We continue to support hundreds of needy Christians in these nearby countries, and I have been able to more personally coordinate relief aid, visit medical clinics, and oversee orphanages, Bible distribution, educational development, and the training of young Pastors and teachers for the mission field.
Unfortunately, in many places the Church is suffering like it never has before, and the need for CFI’s ministry is at an all-time high. The so-called Arab Spring has resulted in increased persecution for minority Christian populations, whether in Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, or Afghanistan.
The news is full of “popular uprisings” to overthrow dictators who have ruled with an iron fist for decades. However, the alternative is not democracy with freedom of speech, religion, or assembly. Rather, radical Islamic Sharia law is now being imposed from Libya to Turkey to Egypt.
Burma, on the other hand, seems to be loosening its determination to purge Christianity from within its borders. We are guardedly optimistic that there may be a crack in the door for the Gospel to be proclaimed among the traditionally Christian population in Karen State, Karenni State and beyond.
The proclamation of the Gospel is the most important part of CFI’s ministry. I want to be sure that our programs are being run as efficiently as possible, and that our donor’s hardearned funds are being used in a prudent and Biblical manner. In September, five CFI Board members came to Thailand, and together we visited the Karenni Bible School in Mae Hong Son and saw first hand the changed lives of students who are dedicated to studying the Scriptures in preparation for the ministry. They know that their lives may well be in jeopardy when they return to their homeland in Burma and yet they are determined to preach the “Good News” to the “ends of the earth.”
I am pleased to share with you the 2011 Annual Report, which documents the many events and activities that CFI has undertaken this year in our continuing mission to assist the Persecuted Church around the world. Because of the cost of sending you a “hard copy” of our Annual Report this year, I decided to post it on our website
in pdf format. You may read it online, print it for your records, or share it with others. Here is the link to the annual report: http://www.christianfreedom.org/2011annualreport/.
We are also looking forward to future projects, all of which we will share with you as they are more fully developed. Nothing, however, would be possible without the prayers, encouragement, and financial support of hundreds of faithful donors like you throughout the United States and Canada, and for that I say thank you!
You truly do make a difference for our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.I pray that you and your loved ones will enjoy a healthy, and happy New Year!
Sincerely in Christ,
Jim Jacobson,
President
P.S. 2011 has been a particularly challenging year for all non-profit organizations, while the needs seems to be increasing exponentially in the “Arab Spring” countries where CFI has projects. The national news media is focused on what seems to be a “popular uprising” leading to “freedom” and yet the minority Christian population is being
systematically crushed.
Please prayerfully consider how you can help these persecuted brothers and sisters. Thank you in advance
This entry was posted
on Friday, December 30th, 2011 at 2:37 pm and is filed under News.
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