By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer
MYANMAR (LBM) – An urgent prayer request has been issued by the founder of Compel Outreach International for 27 graduates of its Bible university who are living in Myanmar, a country devastated by a March 28 earthquake that resulted in more than 3,800 deaths.
According to Bill Britt, ministry founder and a member of First Baptist Church, Haughton, the graduates are in a difficult situation but are still being faithful to their call to spread the light of Christ in a dark time.
“We’re trying to get relief money to them right now for food, clothes, water and other necessities,” Britt told the Baptist Message. “They’re still sharing the Gospel with people who are there. A lot of people are looking for answers right now, so it’s a good time to tell them about the Lord.
“Pray first of all that we can get some relief to the 27 graduates so they can help other people as well,” he continued. “And pray that God will open the people’s hearts to the Gospel during this time of devastation.”
The 27 Compel Outreach’s Bible University graduates are among 1,500 (serving in 12 Asian nations as evangelists, church planters, pastors and missionaries) who have earned a degree since it started in 2001.
The indigenous ministry was founded by Britt and his wife, Wendy, in 1982, and now Compel Outreach International is present in Africa, Asia, Central America and other parts of the world, sharing the Gospel through mass crusades, planting churches, rescuing orphans, educating children and training local pastors and church leaders. Since its founding, the ministry has recorded more than 2 million professions of faith out of 5 million persons who have heard the Gospel. Additionally, more than 3,000 pastors have been discipled and trained, 50,000 Bibles have been distributed and 4 million meals served. Meanwhile, 12,000 villagers receive fresh water weekly because of the ministry.
Britt said he never would have dreamed God would use the ministry to touch so many.
“It’s really amazing because I never would have dreamed being from Haughton, a small town in Northwest Louisiana, that God would have us traveling the world and preaching the Gospel in so many places, but He’s been faithful,” he said. “He opens the doors every year, with a full schedule. It’s been quite amazing.”
For more information visit compeloi.org.
