News and Views
We have our fingers on the pulse of modern missions. Mission work is changing rapidly as the world's cultures and global conditions are changing. Ease of travel and communication impact how the Gospel is spread. But at the heart of missions, there is the work of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the obedience of the Church to carry out Jesus' command to go into all the earth.
We want to present challenging biblical truths, insights into today's missions environment, and progress reports on reaching the entire world with the Gospel. Please keep checking our blog regularly for updates, stories and challenging thoughts from Scripture!
Ed Stetzer, a renowned church-planting expert and executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, recently interviewed Reach A Village Founder and President Bob Craft about keys to the staggering number of new believers and house churches being started by Thai Christians. This movement in Thailand was featured in the Christianity Today April cover story.
Craft said that, ultimately, it is the work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, but he also shared some insights from the Thai Christians’ methods. For example, they keep the initial Gospel presentation simple and...
Sometimes, you don’t know what you’re missing until you find it. As a busy working parent, some days seem so long, but there is something that has recently added a bit of unexpected joy to my day.
Every day, I leave at the same time to pick up my daughter. At the same intersection, I see a crossing guard wearing a yellow vest, gray slacks and bright smile each day. She makes it a point to smile and wave at every single car that passes her. No matter how tired I may feel, the crossing guard never fails to put a smile on my face and lift my spirits.
Last week, I was running a little bit late...
We are excited to share that the Christianity Today April cover story "Making Missions Count" features interviews with Dwight Martin of CrossTies Asia, a ministry of Reach A Village, and with Bob Craft. We are so pleased for this opportunity to talk about the role new technology and national Christians, like our Thai ministry partners the Free in Jesus Christ Church Association (FJCCA), will play in the future of global missions. New technology can show in real time where ministry needs are greatest and help bring organizations together to work toward Great Commission goals. The...
The ministry of Reach A Village was featured in the March issue of AFA Journal, a publication of the American Family Association. In an interview, President Robert Craft told about our focus on training local believers in order to reach the remaining 1 million unreached villages around the world. “They are unreached, but not unreachable,” he commented.
He explained that, from his own experience as a missionary, he had observed that indigenous Christians were more effective when it came to communicating and connecting with the people on a spiritual level because of their shared language and...
A few years ago, I began considering how to find someone to travel to Southeast Asia in my place and continue the partnerships I’ve had with ministries for almost 20 years. As Reach A Village has grown, so have my responsibilities as president. Additionally, I will turn 67 in March, and some health issues prompted me to get more intentional about the search. It wouldn't be easy to find the right person. The individual would have to live in North America, yet be passionate about reaching the lost in Asia, be able to work across cultures with international pastors, teachers and church...
While a student at Olivet Nazarene University, I would sing in the annual performance of George Frideric Handel's “Messiah” every December. My choir would practice for months in advance as the yearly event was a proud tradition.
One of the most popular choruses featured this verse from Isaiah. For a good portion of it, Handel focuses on the first phrase of the verse, "for to us...
“I thank God, whom I serve … as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith …" 2 Timothy 1:3-5a
There are many things for which to be thankful, like our faith, family, life, health, peace, food and shelter. This Thanksgiving season, I want to encourage you to also take time and thank the Lord for people He has brought into your life. When Paul wrote these words, he obviously felt that his life and ministry were nearing an end (2 Timothy 4:6). Perhaps that is...
The July rescue of the soccer team trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand is still capturing the world’s attention all these weeks later. Currently, Reach A Village is involved in an even greater rescue mission that is also worthy of global attention and will require an international response. People in unreached villages are trapped in the darkness of sin and death. How long will they have to wait to be rescued?
There are many parallels between the mission to rescue the Thai soccer team and our rescue mission. No one nation or organization can accomplish the goal on its own; it...
We are pleased to announce that we have started a YouTube channel! We are delighted to have this new forum to fill you in on all of the latest ministry developments. Hosted by our International Ministry Director for Southeast Asia, Ellis Craft, the videos will feature topics relating to missions, interviews with missions leaders, testimonies of inspiring transformations, exciting developments from our global partners, and updates on church planting efforts. God is doing so many tremendous things worldwide, and we want you to have a front row seat! We hope you’ll join us as new...
“‘For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.’” Matthew 18:20
Growing up in rural Alabama, I was a typical American boy who watched Saturday morning cartoons. Most were filled with heroes like Superman, Spiderman, Batman and the Lone Ranger. The rugged individualism portrayed by superheroes was an important cultural value. I thought that, surely, I should aspire to be that kind of hero in my generation.
When my heart was challenged with Jesus’ Great Commission, I sold my car to buy one-way tickets for myself and my family to Thailand. I wanted to join the...
