And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Bethlehem's Global Diaconate task force, under the Global Outreach team, oversees the disbursement of Treasuring Christ Together funds to relieve global suffering and support ministries of mercy. Out of every dollar given to TCT, 5% goes to the Global Diaconate (5% goes to new church planting, and 90% to campus multiplication).
For more information about the Global Diaconate, contact Todd & Tamara Rasmuson.
Global Diaconate Blog
The Global Diaconate blog gives additional opportunities and updates related to Bethlehem.
2011 Global Diaconate Projects
Bethlehem, through the Global Diaconate, has helped with the following needs in 2011:
Third Quarter
South Sudan: A team from Bethlehem went on a survey trip to South Sudan in early October. David C., a Bethlehem member, has had a heart filled with a longing to return and do what he can to bless the home he fled over 20 years ago when civil war ravaged his town. After traveling to Sudan with the group from Bethlehem, he stayed behind to make plans to help his people.
Kenya: With the current drought in East Africa, the region’s crops and livestock have all but disappeared, leaving some 12 million people with nothing to eat. African Inland Mission (AIM) Eastern Region is assisting with drought relief in Northern Kenya in a number of communities that are linked to missionaries on the ground.
Myanmar: The resurgence of civil war among rebel armies and the Myanmar government has caused the displacement of over 30,000 people in Kachin, Shan, and Wa states in northern Myanmar. More than 500 displaced persons in need of food and shelter have come to the Bhamo orphanage.
Second Quarter
Nigeria: Discipling for Development, a ministry of The Navigators, aims to equip Nigerian national missionaries to serve among the poor and unreached in Hausa-speaking regions in Northern Nigeria. Scott P., a Bethlehem global partner, and Blair A., a Bethlehem member, are mentoring Nigerians who will be doing the training for others in this ministry.
Central Asia: One of our global partners in Central Asia is working among Muslim peoples. The vision of this community development project is to see communities access the resources they need to live life free from poverty. With this vision, the organization is partnering with disadvantaged communities by helping them implement relief & development projects, recognizing their own culture as a key to their sustainability. The project is based on the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) model, which focuses on utilizing the gifts and abilities of those people already within the community.
First Quarter
Central Asia: Two of Bethlehem’s global partners are serving in a strong Muslim area in Central Asia. They have recognized the need for education and for projects that depend on local initiative, effort, and risk. They have had an opportunity to work with local leadership to start a school, which would service approximately 360 students in 1st–12th grades, and to provide extra-curricular instruction in English, computers, and other subjects for 1,000 students. The project is designed to be self-sustainable within three years. Tying our global partners' love for the community with their love for Jesus, we pray, will provide fresh openings for gospel breakthroughs.
India: Bethlehem has also had opportunity to help Freedom Firm design and support a program that enables girls rescued from child prostitution in India to attend a wilderness camp. Freedom Firm provides safety and holistic restoration in Christ through the operation of aftercare homes and programs. The camp brings healing and wholeness to girls and seeks to rebuild their lives.