International Outreach

Reaching the uttermost regions of the Earth.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Over the years, the Church of the Living Word has expanded its efforts beyond the Syracuse community in an effort to help many people overseas that have been in physical, financial, and spiritual need. As a Church, we want to do our part in helping to spread The Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord commanded His disciples to go out into every portion of the world to share the Gospel message (See Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:46-48, and Acts 1:8). Our hope is that as we are able to assist those in other nations, they in turn will be able to carry the Gospel "to the uttermost part of the earth."

Early in the work, Pastor Robert J. Mazur met some Canadian Saints who were pastoring a Bible believing, Spirit-filled local Church in Granby, Quebec. Decades have passed now and our informal spiritual relationship with our Canadian brethren remains to this day.

Paraguay and the Ukraine

In the mid 1980's, we aided a native Church of Spirit-filled believers in Paraguay. We helped them build a local Church so that they in turn would be able to reach out to the people of their surrounding areas. Later on, we began to offer assistance to the suffering (and sometimes persecuted) Church in the Ukraine.

India

Now, as of late, through an almost uncanny bit of Holy Ghost timing, Living Word Church is busily engaged in its most significant missions outreach yet to the Church in India. Bro. Charles Singh, an Indian national and pastor in the southern region called Coimbatore, contacted the Church of the Living Word by way of the Internet. (For details pertaining to this development, click here for the India article on this website.) After our pastors thoroughly determined that Bro. Charles was indeed a sincere, Spirit-filled believer, they invited him to come and visit with us. How refreshing it was to see a man from the other side of the world praising the Lord and adhering to the same Scriptural doctrines that we embrace also! Immediately, Bro. Charles became like family to us, and has since visited the Church several times. He keeps our pastors up to date with the latest advancements in the Children's orphanage and Theological School that he operates.

Through video tapes that Bro. Charles has sent, we are able to be encouraged and partake in the joy of seeing the children's delightful facial expressions as they receive food, new clothing, books and school materials, and better living accommodations and furnishings all as a result of our support.

Likewise, we have been able to see the improvements in living conditions that are being made at the Theological School, too. It is here that Bro. Charles trains preachers to go into the far reaches of India, Burma, China, and other nearby areas, planting Churches in various communities. Bro. Charles is no longer threatened with having to close both ministries due to a lack of resources. Today, both of them are flourishing spiritually, physically, and financially, as the Lord adds the increase. As a result of our backing, now Bro. Charles can focus on getting the Gospel message out to different areas of India. God has blessed his efforts and many are receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior now as a result!

It is wonderful to see the Lord having His way in nations all across the globe. Here in America, we tend to take so many things for granted such as being able to have ample amounts of food and clothing, drinkable running water in our own homes, and other conveniences that we enjoy on a daily basis.

Not only do we enjoy the rich blessings that America has to offer, but we also are blessed with the freedoms we have in this country, which include being able to worship and speak about Jesus Christ freely and openly. Our brethren in foreign lands not only have to battle with poverty, but they often have to battle with persecutions and the fear of losing one's life for the Gospel. Yet, these Saints are dedicated to the cause of Christ, even unto the point of death sometimes.

Such interactions with our brethren overseas cause us to realize just how truly blessed we are, and how thankful we should be for what the Lord has provided us here in America. The majority of the world's nations may lack in freedoms, resources, and comforts, but yet the Christians of those countries are blessed. Even the poorest of folk can still possess the riches of the Kingdom with Jesus Christ!

It is quite humbling because we are reminded that the Lord's peace and provision is sufficient for us all, no matter what condition we find ourselves in.

'Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me..." ' (Matthew 25:34-36)

International Visitors

At the same time the Lord is using us to encourage various Churches in other countries, He is also sending many international visitors our way. At Living Word Church, one can expect to see quite a variety of folks attending. There are not only visitors from all parts of the United States at just about any given time, but Saints from England, Trinidad, and Ghana as well. During the 1980's, there was a small group of Russian immigrants who found our Church. Pastor Bryan M. Rocine and other Saints reached out to these people and spent a period of time teaching them how to improve their English speaking abilities. Recently, many young men from the Sudan also have visited our congregation. Living Worders have helped them get started on a new life here in the United States. As of late, we have also had visitors from the countries of Togo and Kenya in Africa, Puerto Rico, India, South Korea, and from other South East Asian nations. What a blessing it is to see people from all over the world rejoicing and praising the Lord Jesus Christ! Such an image brings to mind the apocalyptic vision of Heaven that the Apostle John received in the book of Revelation. John states, "After this I beheld, and, lo a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb' " (Revelation 7:9-10). Anyone who is a Born-Again believer until the time of death or The Rapture will be a part of that Heavenly scene, no matter what country he or she comes from!

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