Church planters in Atlanta, International Gospel works encourage boy to read his Bible, Importance of churches reaching college campuses

Church planters Joaquin and Megan Pena are excited how God is working at their young church plant just outside Atlanta. The Penas are a part of Gospel Hope Church Espanol in Avondale Estates, Georgia.

Joaquin is originally from the Dominican Republic. He says they’ve had 12 new families interested in learning more about their fellowship lately. 

Pray for Gospel Hope Church as they continue to reach Avondale Estates and the nations for Christ.

Despite being beaten by his father for studying his Bible, a young man simply identified as Asad is continuing to read and grow in his new faith in Jesus. International Gospel workers are helping as they have the opportunity to encourage him.

They’re asking you to join in praying for Asad and for many more like him. Pray for Asad to be obedient and wise as he grows in the knowledge of God and His Word. Ask for opportunities to share the good news with his parents, and pray that his parents’ hearts will be softened to receive Jesus.

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Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.

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Even as many students are on summer break, Chuck Lawless says churches must continue to focus on reaching college campuses. In a recent article he offers a number of reasons. Here’s a few of them:

1. There are a lot of them.  More than 19 million students are in colleges and universities in the United States. That’s a “people group” unto themselves – a mission field often within a short distance of our churches.
2. They are in a critical stage of life. They are inquisitive, open, questioning. They’re being exposed to theories and worldviews other than Christian. If we can reach them now while they’re open, the rest of their life will be transformed.
3. God has often begun awakenings with college students. In the Second Great Awakening, God moved at places like Hampden-Sydney College and Williams College (where the “Haystack Meeting” occurred). The 1970 revival that began at Asbury College in Kentucky spread to multiple campuses in the U.S.—and we recently saw glimpses again of that movement.   

They are the nations among us. More than 1 million international students attend colleges and universities in the U.S. Many are open to talking about religious matters, and some will have their first exposure to the gospel on their university campus.