I live in a very under-resourced area in Nairobi, Kenya. The average income for a household here is about $150 a month. So when Covid hit, all the restrictions on movement and gathering had a big economic impact on my neighbors. Because there’s so little financial margin, when people lost jobs, had fewer work hours, or had less business in their small shops, it had a dramatic effect.
We wanted to help so we asked the question: What would it look like to really be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities?
Priya (not her real name) came to our city from India at 19 to study biology. She’d grown up in a Sikh family, but her parents were basically atheists. Priya had concluded that God was just a prop that people had made up to blame things on or ask for things from.
When Priya first arrived in the US, she found her way to a party that “Ministry K” (name changed), our international student outreach, was hosting. That’s where her story with us began. But first, let me give you a little background…
An invitation into a Muslim home for one of their largest religious holidays would unexpectedly become an opportunity to clearly share the good news. And the surprising catalyst? Musical theater.
Prayer-walks and blessing have ushered in God’s Kingdom and shut down deceptive substitutes in this west L.A. neighborhood. If you need a reason to persevere in prayer, read this team’s story.
Seeking God’s specific direction and instructions placed one of our staff in the middle of an unfolding story of miraculous answers to prayer in a region where Jesus was virtually unknown.
In Novo’s early years, there was a huge emphasis on investing in local churches and church planting efforts that “fit” the local people—often resulting in churches outside typical models. These foundations have helped us navigate the intricacies of the final component of gospel movements—forming churches.
Leadership development is essential to the healthy growth of the overall Christian movement around the world—and Novo has been fine-tuning our methods in developing such leaders for 40 years!
The second critical component for gospel movements is Engaging Culture. A look through Novo’s development over the last 40 years reveals key influences that equipped us to live this out.
As we reflect on 40 years of ministry, we see the journey God has graciously led us on as an organization, equipping us for gospel movements. One piece of that journey was understanding activating prayer and what it means to be naturally supernatural followers of Jesus.
As we celebrate 40 years of ministry, we’re looking back on some of Novo’s roots—and discovering how God uniquely formed us over the years for the work of gospel movements.
Naija wanted nothing to do with church, and didn’t want her grandson Mobo involved either—until the dramatic difference Discovery Bible Study made in Mobo’s life changed her heart.
Following the colossal explosion in Beirut, NEO, Novo’s ministry in the Middle East, has stepped up to assist those most in need. Here’s how you can help.
