A church plant where there is no church

When Love In Action International Ministries co-founder Mike Shroades and I began this ministry 13 years ago, we knew God had a great plans for LIA. However, we never dreamed of the global impact He would make through Love In Action in Third World nations.

We have always been about the Great Commission Jesus gives all of His followers in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age."

When Jesus said "all nations," He was referring to people groups. So, reaching unreached people groups is a key part of our global mission. There are an estimated 7,165 unreached people groups in the world, totally 2.87 billion people. That's nearly 3 billion people who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We can't sit back and be still when nearly 42 percent of the people in the world have never heard about Jesus.

In the Philippines, there are more than 4.6 million people, comprising of 32 people groups, who have never heard about Jesus, and another 220,000 people (16 people groups) who have heard mention of Him, but not reached. We have been amazed by everything God is accomplishing through Love In Action in the Philippines. Our indigenous pastors/missionaries work nonstop reaching the people in their areas, many of whom have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

To date, we have reached six of the 48 unreached people groups and have seen thousands surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Now, we have another amazing opportunity, but we need your help through prayer and finances.

We have the opportunity to purchase land on an island where there are no Christian churches, only Muslim mosques. This will be the very first Christian church, and there is a real hunger there. On our pastor's first visit, 662 people surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, and they are now begging for a place to gather.

Due to safety reasons, I cannot name the island or the pastor. This is a very dangerous island and people's lives would be at risk if I said who and where. However, a person in authority on this island, who recently gave his life to Jesus, is helping our pastor arrange this land purchase.

So what's the cost of this land purchase to plant the very first Christian church in an unreached area? Just $1,250. I am giving $250 toward this awesome opportunity. If just four more of you will give $250 the land can be bought. Can you help? Will you help? Any amount you are able to help with will be very much appreciated.

Donations can be mailed to: Love In Action International Ministries, P.O. Box 85, Dothan, AL 36302. Note on your donation that it's for "Philippine Church Plant." Or, you can donate online by clicking here and then clicking on the "Make a Donation" button.

The time to act is now. These people need to know about Jesus, and we have a wonderful opportunity to plant a church and have a home base on an island with nearly 400,000 people.

This is just one of many amazing opportunities to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Asia. Please continue to pray for LIA, our indigenous pastors and missionaries, and for the lost souls who need to hear about Jesus Christ.