Bangladesh (MNN) — The Kingdom of God is growing in Bangladesh, despite growing restrictions on missionaries.
Over the next few days, we’ll be highlighting this Kingdom expansion in a 4-part series.
“There’s a huge need in [Bangladesh] today for training, and they have a facility they’re trying to build that will service all these training groups, including A3, Wycliffe Bible Translators, many others,” shares A3 President Joe Handley.
“Several of us are rallying to help Peter in raising the funds for this center.”
Peter Mazumder, co-national director for A2/Bangladesh and general secretary of InterVarsity Bangladesh, dreamed of starting a facility like this years ago. The vision he invested in and laid foundations for years ago is finally gaining traction and support.
Watch as Mazumder shares his vision for the LWC here.
“The buildings include the actual training center, a dormitory, the chapel will be in one of those buildings, and then a clinic,” Handley explains. “The foundation has been laid for one of the buildings and a few floors for the other building.
A building project like this isn’t something A3 usually focuses on, Handley says. Normally, A3 spends its resources and time investing in Asia’s church leaders.
“In this case, we have a very unique situation for the country, where they lack that freedom of expression and freedom to worship the way they would like to in these training centers,” says Handley.
“So, we saw that as a critical need for the country.”
Another bonus? The Living Water Center would cut costs to run A3 Bangladesh by 70%. The benefits are more than physical and financial, though. A spiritual dynamic runs throughout this Kingdom expansion.
“This center is not just for those of us doing ministry,” Handley explains.
A community of 6,500 garment workers lives near the future site of the Living Water Center. Only 150 of these workers follow Christ, and Mazumder hopes the LWC will become a regular place of worship for these believers, as well as an outreach to the community.
The LWC’s health clinic will play a critical role.
“When you have 20, 30, 50 people living in very small rooms and cramped quarters without hygienic conditions, you can imagine the healthcare needs of this community,” says Handley.
Meeting physical needs can often open doors to start a conversation about Jesus.
Tomorrow, we’ll share how the Living Water Center will help ministries reaching out to college students. Stay tuned!
Listen to audio broadcast (story begins at 2:16)
- Originally published on Mission Network News
- Download audio file: http://www.asianaccess.org/mnn/4-5min-Nov24-2014.mp3
- Photo credits: 1) Cover photo: God on Throne — Anonymous painter from Westphalia, late 15th century (Image credit Wikimedia Commons); 2) Peter Mazumder at the inauguration of the Living Water Center. (Screenshot taken from BSFB.org); 3) Screenshot taken from 2013 progress video.
- Related Story: Life-Giving Water for Bangladesh – Never thirst again!
