Send Relief aiding war-torn Sudan; Reaching unchurch people through small groups

Good News for Today

Send Relief continues to aid Sudan, as half the nation faces acute hunger and famine chases refugees and internally displaced persons.

Cholera and heavy rains exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, according to international governmental agencies.

Jason Cox, Send Relief’s vice president of international ministry, said the war is not getting enough attention in the U.S., even as Send Relief continues to send aid.

“This war has created what is now the largest population of forcibly displaced people in the world. The humanitarian needs are overwhelming, and growing. But the opportunities are also great,” Cox told Baptist Press.

Famine has affected nearly 4 million refugees since 2023.

Learn how you can help at Send Relief.org.

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According to the 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study, more than 3 in 4 pastors (77%) say developing leaders and volunteers and fostering connections with unchurched people (76%) are ministry needs they face.

Scott McConnell, director of Lifeway Research, noted that “Motivating a congregation to function as one unit in sharing the love of Jesus with others” is the key.

According to Lifeway’s Ken Braddy, the frist way to connect with the unchurched is often through the weekly worship service. The second best way to help people share their faith is through groups.

Building relationships with unchurched people requires proximity to them. And when they receive an invitation to attend an ongoing Bible study group, smaller groups tend to be the best places for them to meet believers as they assimilate into the church, Braddy writes in Baptist Press.

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More than 2.3 billion people face food insecurity every day. Learn how you can help at IMB.org.