Mid-Year Momentum: Advancing Through Adversity
- Dr. Nelson
- Jun 20
- 6 min read
"And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem."
-Acts 6:7
Click here or on the video above for a video message.
God graciously continues to expand the CCI ministry as our team perseveres through tremendous hardships and trials. Our dedicated team remains unwavering in its commitment to extend training into new countries and equip pastors, church leaders, and disciple-makers with the truth of God’s Word. We rejoice in how the Lord is using CCI to impact nations for His glory.
At this halfway point in the year, we pause to reflect on His faithfulness, celebrate the growth, and press forward with renewed strength. The doors God is opening, the hearts He is transforming, and the lives being equipped for gospel ministry are all testimonies to His power working through His people.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we press on by multiplying disciples, strengthening the church, and proclaiming Christ to the nations.
New Countries: Bhutan, Ghana, The Gambia, and Puerto Rico |
|---|
Last year, our Regional Director of the Indian Subcontinent visited potential trainers in Bhutan. Bhutan is a closed country that requires a tourist guide to accompany you wherever you go. Last July, I trained 20 new trainers in Malaysia. These brothers and sisters were from different parts of Asia, including Bhutan. The Lord provided the trainers and opened the way for us to print manuals in the country to train workers there.
In March and April, CCI Liberia National Director Emmanuel Jonah traveled to Ghana and the Gambia, where he trained 20 new trainers. Classes are underway now in these countries, and new classes have also begun in Puerto Rico. By God’s grace, we are now serving in 46 countries.
The Gambia, a small West African country surrounded by Senegal with a narrow Atlantic coastline, is predominantly Muslim. Approximately 96.4% of the population identifies as Sunni Muslim, with Christians making up only 3.5%. Pastor Louis Mendy testified that six Muslims converted to Christ earlier this year, but one of them was poisoned and passed away. The spiritual darkness in this region is immense. Please join us in prayer for the advancement of CCI’s work in the Gambia.
New Coordinators: Sri Lanka, Northeast India, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos |
|---|
This year, new coordinators began serving in Sri Lanka, Northeast India, the Philippines, Thailand, and Laos. Please be encouraged by this testimony from our new coordinator in Sri Lanka. For security reasons, we will refer to him as Pastor A.
We are grateful for Pastor A’s commitment to CCI and are already seeing fruit through his leadership in Sri Lanka. Please continue to pray for him and all our coordinators, as they are the primary means by which the CCI ministry expands and multiplies throughout the nations.
Pastor A began serving with CCI in January and currently oversees the ministry in Sri Lanka, which includes 13 classes with 98 students. For the past 27 years, Pastor A has faithfully ministered in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, a region deeply scarred by the country’s brutal civil war. Through his work, he has planted eight congregations in resettlement villages and has been deeply involved in rebuilding communities by caring for widows, orphans, and those with mental illness.
In addition to promoting evangelistic outreach and providing discipleship training across multiple districts, Pastor A leads a compassionate initiative called School Back to Life, which offers free education for children and self-employment training for widowed mothers.
At one point, Pastor A was falsely accused, arrested, and tortured by the Sri Lankan military. Yet by God’s grace, he and his family remain steadfast and joyful in their service to the Lord. Their commitment has not wavered. In recognition of his sacrificial work, Pastor A has received several awards from the Sri Lankan government.
Faithful Service: Hardships in Myanmar and in Haiti |
|---|
For the last three years, the people of Myanmar have experienced incredible turmoil. When the military seized power after elections, civil war and unrest broke out across the country. Earlier this year, a powerful earthquake hit central Myanmar, causing widespread damage and suffering. Our Myanmar team continues to serve faithfully under the National Director's leadership. In Yangon, where churches themselves face poverty and scarcity, believers took up offerings to help those suffering in even more deeply affected areas.
Pastor B, an area coordinator, led a two-day training on Christ and the Christian life with over 25 youth. Many refugees participated in the event, and believers generously contributed to cover the training costs. Two participants even made a public profession of faith with water baptisms. Amid hardship, we continue to see powerful displays of God's grace at work.
Haiti continues to experience widespread chaos as violent gangs tighten their grip on the country, bringing suffering, instability, and fear to millions. What was once mainly concentrated in Port-au-Prince has now spread to surrounding areas, engulfing previously less affected communities. Entire neighborhoods have been displaced, families are living in constant fear, and basic necessities like food, clean water, and medical care are increasingly difficult to access.
Yet even amid this darkness, the light of Christ continues to shine through faithful believers who stand firm, pray fervently, and reach out with compassion to those in need. Pastor Louis Saindius, a coordinator and one of five staff members in Haiti, continues to serve faithfully in these troubled times.
Pastor Saindius led a graduation ceremony celebrating nine students who completed their training. This moment was a powerful testimony to the perseverance of the Church in Haiti and the multiplying impact of biblical training, even in a nation gripped by fear and violence. (Pastor Saindius is pictured below on the far right.)
Our teams in Myanmar and Haiti covet the prayers and support of their brothers and sisters in Christ as they navigate ongoing instability and danger.
A Milestone in Ministry: Keith Arnold Ordained |
|---|
On May 18, Keith Arnold, North Mexico Area Coordinator, was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel during a special service at Suncoast Baptist Church in New Port Richey, Florida. It was a meaningful day for Keith and his family, as the church formally recognized his calling, character, and commitment to ministry. Keith also had the privilege of preaching the Word of God to the congregation that morning, boldly proclaiming the gospel and encouraging the body of Christ.
Just two days later, on May 20, Keith returned to the mission field in Sonora, Mexico, where he faithfully serves. He has resumed his responsibilities with renewed passion, continuing to promote the CCI ministry, train local leaders, and teach four active classes. We praise God for Keith’s dedication and for the ways He is using him to equip believers and strengthen the church across Northern Mexico.
Tour in the Apostles' Footsteps Trip to Turkey in October 2026 |
|---|
I invite you to join me in Turkey next year, from September 26 to October 6, as we follow in Paul's footsteps through Galatia, Pisidia, Asia Minor, and the seven churches of Revelation (Revelation 2-3). Our journey will include visits to Istanbul, Attalia, Perga, Aspendos, Myra, Patara, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colossae, Philadelphia, Sardis, Pergamum, Thyatira, Smyrna, Miletus, and Ephesus.
I've personally visited five of the seven cities mentioned in Revelation. One of the most impactful moments for me was walking through ancient Ephesus and standing in the very amphitheater where the riot occurred, as described in Acts 19:21-41. Just behind the theater are the remains of a massive ancient library. There, etched into the marble floor beside a three-story pillar, I discovered a menorah, evidence of a nearby synagogue, likely where Paul reasoned with and persuaded many that Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 19:8-10).
These ruins are not just stones, but confirm the historical accuracy of the biblical accounts. Visiting these places deepened my confidence in Scripture, reminding me that these are not myths, but real events in real places. I believe this experience will do the same for you as you see how God moved in these regions to establish His Church.
Thank you so much for your partnership in equipping ministry leaders around the world! Your generosity empowers us to equip godly men and women in 46 countries to rightly divide the Word of truth.
If you would like to support a specific coordinator serving in a particular country, please click the button below.
We’ve also established a National Coordinators Fund, which allows you to give toward a shared pool that supports all of our coordinators around the world. To contribute to this fund, click the designated button below.
Together, we’re raising up leaders and spreading the gospel to the nations!
Dr. David Nelson
Chief Steward and Servant
Comments