Team World, France
TEAM’s global vision is to reproduce the Body of Christ wherever the most people have the greatest need. Five years ago, the Lord gave the missionaries in France a new vision for the Rhone-Alps area. They, together with their sending churches, believed God was calling them to start 10 new churches in the next ten years in that region. TEAM is an alliance of churches and individuals from around the world who have a common goal – to send missionaries to establish reproducing churches among the nations of the world.
Linda Guest
God has graciously given Linda, a heart for people who have not yet heard the “good news” of Jesus Christ’s message. Bringing love and hope to people both in her own community and overseas for the past nine years has been her passion. In 2005, she completed her Masters Degree at Dallas Theological Seminary in Cross Cultural Ministry. In 2006, she heard the call to France where 10% of France’s population is Muslim (6 million). Even harder to believe statistics: less than 1 % of France is Evangelical, there is only 1 Evangelical church per 26,000 people (US has 1 per 980). More than 60% of France has never or practically never been to church. Equally astonishing - 80% of France has never opened a Bible. Sunshine After Rain Ministries provides monthly support for this honorable missionary.
Finnish Free Foreign Mission (FIDA), Bosnia
Bosnia-Herzegovina is still struggling with after-war structural change. Unfortunately, the development hasn’t been fast enough and people have had to give up hope and their expectations. There are even bigger developmental differences than before between Bosnia-Herzegovina and its neighboring countries with the country quickly is falling behind their Balkan neighbors. FIDA continues working to offer education for development of communities, while strengthening the national’s belief in a better future. Partnering with other NGO group’s such as Joni and Friends, people with disabilities, often victims of the war, have been served since 1997.
Ulla and Ari Tepponen
Tireless servants in Bosnia since 1994, Ulla and Ari Tepponen faced a country torn apart by a Civil War that had pitted cultural "Christians" against the Muslim population when they first arrived. Undaunted by the challenge of exhibiting and living the “real” Christ, they have remained committed to the work against significant resistance to the Gospel message. Even now, believers in the community face physical attacks and severe persecution. In 2006, Sunshine After Rain Ministries returned to Tuzla, to facilitate children’s programs in area orphanages, hospitals and the Roma (gypsy) villages where the Tepponen’s continue to reach the hurt and broken of Bosnia.
