"Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus said this to His disciples in Matthew 19:14, and as His followers today we carry that same heart, reflected by our many children's ministry projects. Outreaches to street children in the Philippines, a feeding program for young beggar boys in Africa, weekly Sidewalk Sunday School ministry in Guatemala - these are just some of the ways that GTN missionaries are working to minister the love of Father God to His children.
The ultimate goal of missionary work is to see a person, a tribe, a village so impacted with the power of the Gospel that the nation is transformed. Integral to this transformation process is church planting and the raising up of strong national leadership so that new believers can be equipped and sent out to spread the message of God's redemption and love to those who have not yet heard. To date, Go To Nations has planted over 1500 churches around the world and seen over 1.2 million people come to know Jesus Christ.
Comprised of a comprehensive training curriculum and certifications, Community Health Evangelism (CHE) is the educational understanding behind and a resource for doing Community Transformation. Some of our staff in Guatemala and Philippines are certified in CHE, and it is also taught in our Timothy Internship Programs in Guatemala and the Philippines. Our certified trainers are Jude Kelly in Iloilo, Philippines and Nancy Henson in Peten, Guatemala. Both women are also certified in Nursing and help provide medical expertise during our many medical outreaches.
Community Transformation is a combination of several ongoing projects - such as well drilling, medical clinics, and nutrition education - in one concentrated area in order to establish positive change on a large scale. Villages like La Nueva Sesaltul in Petén, Guatemala that were once ravaged by disease and death are now thriving thanks in large part to these projects, with entire families being led to the Lord as a result.
Over the years, Go To Nations has conducted many short-term construction trips in poor villages around the world. Carpenters, brick masons, painters and everyday people who know how to hammer a nail have participated in the building of homes, churches, village council areas and schools in countries like the Philippines, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Jamaica, helping to boost infrastructure and support local mission work.
The greatest need of the heart of man is salvation through Jesus Christ alone-- " . . . for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 6:8 NLT). Go To Nations is committed to making disciples through each of our projects, regardless of function. Because those who are lost important to God, evangelism is at the very heart of our ministry.
Approximately 774 million of the world's population today are considered to be illiterate (UNESCO). Many of those same people are master craftsmen, gifted agriculturalists, and can fluently speak several languages, but are held at a disadvantage because of their inability to read and write. Giving the gift of literacy to someone can open up an entire new world of possibility and elevate the standard of living, both on an individual and a national level.
Each year, Go To Nations conducts numerous medical clinic outreaches around the world. The doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical professionals who participate in these short-term trips give generously of their time and talents - literally becoming the healing hands of Jesus Christ to the sick and the poor.
According to a recent estimation by the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly two-thirds of the world's population is considered to be underfed today. Through feeding programs and basic health education, our missionaries are helping to dramatically improve the quality of life in villages and communities around the world.
Since its inception in 1981, Go To Nations has established more than 40 Bible schools - called Calvary Bible Institutes (CBI) - in countries like India, Thailand, the Philippines and Mexico. Led by dedicated missionaries and teachers, students who attend our Bible schools are not only trained to study and teach the Bible but are equipped to start evangelism movements in their own communities. Many of the 1500+ churches planted by GTN has been in partnership with CBI graduates.