What a great opportunity in this important month of 2025, the month in which we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, to share with you an account of what God has allowed us to accomplish and the advances of our Missions Mobilization Ministry. 

In 2020, when we began this EFM Missions Mobilization Ministry for Hispanic Friends, we never imagined how far God would allow us to develop this task. 

Praise the Lord for the second Future Missionary Retreat in Mexico, where we had 31 attendees, including four young people who traveled from Bolivia! We are so happy because, since the first retreat, we have had young people interested in exploring the call to missions, and some of them have since begun training at the Friends Theological Institute in Mexico City. These young people are praying earnestly that God will guide them to the places where they will be sent. Another fruit of these retreats was the calling of José Olivas, who has been serving as a missionary for a year now among the Shuar people of Ecuador. Another fruit of these retreats is the Moscosa family (Pedro, Sandy, and their two little daughters), who will be sent in January to start a new church in the state of Jalisco through the VM32 project. We hope to witness and be involved in the process of sending many more.

Let us praise the Lord together for the EFM Latin America Sending Learning Conference held in Guatemala in August. We felt privileged to have been part of the planning team for such an important event. It was truly beautiful to see representatives from 11 countries, including several superintendents and influential leaders of the Friends of Latin America, all gathered in a shared sense of unity, fellowship, respect, and mutual learning. As a result of this conference, several Yearly Meetings have expressed interest in having us share about EFM and missions and in encouraging their leaders and youth to be more active in sending, participating in support, and even going. We have already scheduled several trips in 2026 to some of these Yearly Meetings. Also as a result of the conference, a young, single lady pastor from Guatemala was challenged to join us on the Luke 10 prayer trip to Ecuador. There, she felt God’s prompting to pray for her to explore the possibility of going as a missionary. Although she won’t be sent at this time, this young lady pastor is influential at her Annual Meeting, and we know God will use her to inspire and mobilize others. Glory to God!

The recent Luke 10 Prayer Trip to Ecuador was valuable and purposeful. The main intention was to have very intentional times of prayer with national leaders and in places where God allowed us to go this time. We are grateful that we were able to visit and have ministry experiences in Shuar communities. On this trip, God allowed us to meet and strengthen relationships with key people whom we believe he has allowed us to meet in order to have alliances and national coverage that will serve our EFM missionaries who will be sent to this field in the near future. Thank you so much to all of you who were involved in this trip with your prayers from home.

2025 was fast-paced, very busy, and very intense for us, but very fruitful for the honor and glory of him alone! In the midst of raising our funds, all the events, trips, and experiences have been worthwhile because we see that the kingdom of God is being impacted. God willing, we will continue to strive and be obedient in this mobilization effort to see many more workers sent to the fields where the harvest is ready. “And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” Romans 10:15 (NLT)

In Obedience to him,
Edwin and Maria Giron

The post December 2025 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Christ’s Light in a Land of Many Idols | Shared by D K Sarkar serving in India

The following report comes from our missionary, D K Sarkar in Kolkata, West Bengal. October was filled with many Hindu festivals across the region, times that bring both challenge and opportunity for believers. Please pray for our brothers and sisters who face pressure during these celebrations and who continue to share the hope of Christ with their neighbors.

I am sending you an update about the Hindu festivals in West Bengal. These celebrations often bring challenges for us. Local festival committees sometimes insist that we contribute money toward the events, and at times the situation becomes very difficult. During these festivals, we organize camps and prayer meetings to encourage and strengthen our new believers. Please continue to pray for us.

The month of October was filled with Hindu celebrations focused on idol worship. People become deeply devoted to these idols, following traditions passed down from their ancestors. They often do not know much about the idols themselves but simply continue the customs they have received.

Many different idols are worshiped, each believed to hold its own kind of power. These idols have no real existence, yet priests and holy men have promoted their worship for generations. Below are a few of the main idols celebrated in West Bengal.

• Ganesh – Considered the god of wealth. Many people believe that if they worship Ganesh, they will gain financial prosperity. This worship began mainly in Mumbai but later spread to Bengal as people desired the same material success.
• Biswakarma – Regarded as the maker or architect of the world. People worship him, believing he will help them in building and improving their homes.
• Durga – Durga Puja is the biggest Hindu festival in West Bengal. She is considered the powerful goddess who killed the demon Ashur (Devil). Depicted with ten hands holding weapons, she is worshiped for four days during a time when schools, colleges, and offices close for the celebration. Her festival attracts many people, even some Christians come to watch the events
• Lakshmi – The goddess of wealth. Hindus believe that worshiping Lakshmi will bring them prosperity and abundance.
• Kali – Known as the goddess of destruction. She is depicted as dark, standing on the chest of her husband, with a garland of human heads around her neck. Her worship takes place at night and involves blood sacrifices, often from male goats.

We are enlightened by the blood of Jesus. We know all these idol worships are fake. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse of our sins. We are called to tell these people about the truth. Please pray for us.

D K Sarkar, EFM Kolkata

Please pray:

• For our strength and protection as we face difficulties and demands during the Hindu festival season.
• For steadfast faith among new believers who may feel isolated or pressured during these celebrations.
• For open hearts among those devoted to idol worship, that they may come to know the truth and freedom found in Jesus Christ.
• For fruitful ministry as we hold camps and prayer meetings to share the gospel and encourage believers in West Bengal.

The post November 2025 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

EFC-Nepal Ministry Update | Shared by Pastor Amen and the EFC-N Family

Prayer continues to be the heartbeat of our ministry. In Kathmandu, believers gathered for chain prayer, all-night prayer, fasting prayer, prayer walks, mountain prayer, and revival prayer. These times of seeking God keep the Church alive and active in its mission. Regional Prayer Camps were also held in different districts, and we are witnessing the fruit of these prayers in transformed lives and growing churches.

Pastors & Leaders Seminar and Ordination

In the Nawalpur Region, Magarkot Friends Church hosted a three-day seminar to strengthen pastors and leaders in God’s Word. On the final day, we celebrated an ordination service for new pastors, elders, and deacons who committed themselves to serve faithfully.

Skills and Business Development for Ministry

We continue to encourage pastors, leaders, and believers to view business as mission, an opportunity to sustain their families while also advancing the gospel.

Pastor Ramesh and his wife, Binu, now run a grocery store and chicken farm to support their ministry. Pastor Bijay and his wife, Salome, completed training in welding and sewing; Bijay has already built church buildings and homes with his skills. Pastor Adam began raising goats after government training, envisioning his farm as a model for other churches and pastors.

A Day of Dedication and Celebration

In Sindhuli, the Khurahari Evangelical Friends Church dedicated a new church building in the morning and, later that same day, celebrated the wedding of their pastor, Bijay, and his wife, Som Maya (Salome). Both are graduates of our FSTCL Bible College and continue to serve faithfully.

Regional Highlights

• In Chitwan, more than 300 people heard the gospel, several were baptized, and others experienced healing, including a witch doctor who came to Christ after prayer and a Hindu woman freed from a demon, leading her whole family to faith.
• In Bardiya, 38 new believers are preparing for public testimony of water baptism, and a new fellowship has been planted in Surkhet District.
• In Pokhara (Gandaki Province), after more than a decade of prayer, a new Friends Church has been planted with a worship hall for 60 people. One member, Gita, who became paralyzed while working abroad, has come to Christ, been baptized, and now leads worship with the help of therapy. She and her young son still need support, but her faith is a testimony to God’s grace.

We thank God for His faithfulness and for your prayers and support. Together, we are witnessing the gospel spread throughout Nepal, touching lives, building communities, and advancing God’s kingdom.

Thank you. God bless.
Pastor Amen and EFC-N Family

Please pray:

• For the provision of land and church buildings in key locations, and for both numerical and spiritual growth in our churches.
• For God’s blessing on the upcoming provincial conference, the couples seminar for pastors and their families, and the leadership retreat, that each may bring lasting impact, encouragement, guidance, and renewal.
• For a fresh movement of new church planting across Nepal.

The post October 2025 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Molly Morton | Preparing to Serve in Ireland

Suddenly, I looked at the calendar today and realized there are only a few weeks left in my furlough. It seems like time has flown by, while at the same time it feels like February and the beginning of my furlough were a million years ago. God has been gracious to me during the last five months as I have traveled, connected with partners, spent so much time with my family, visited different churches, rested well, met new people, reconnected with old friends, and grieved the unexpected loss of my father. I have so much gratitude for the EFM community of support while I have been in the U.S. I cannot imagine doing this without that support.

As I get ready to return to Ireland at the end of this month, I look back at a few exciting things that happened in July. My best friend, Becky, is also a cross-cultural worker. We had the blessing of being in California at the same time this month. We spent a few days together catching up, shopping, and eating. We also had the pleasure of meeting up with one of our childhood friends, Katherine. We got to meet her three boys and share a meal together. We have been in each other’s lives since preschool. It was a lovely time of reminiscing and learning about each other’s current lives.

Over the last couple of months, I have been visiting churches in my official capacity as a furloughed missionary. I am beyond thankful for the ways each of these churches partners with me prayerfully and financially. It is lovely to see each unique worshiping community and to share with them about my work in Ireland with the Nazarene church. One highlight of these church visits was visiting the Discover’s Class at Rose Drive Friends Church. Many of the men and women in that class taught Sunday school to me and my siblings as children at Rose Drive Friends Church (RDFC). It was so great to see these faithful co-laborers and to share with them.

As my furlough and deputation come to an end, I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your support. The prayer and financial support I receive from each of you is vital and important to my work in Ireland. Thank you so much.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

The post September 2025 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Each year we prepare an annual report for the representatives of yearly meetings/regions that meet during the summer. We call it the “Summer Update” and you can click here to read and download this year’s.

We are sharing this report with you because of your interest in and support for the missionaries and ministries of EFM. We pray that it will not only help to keep you informed but that it will also be helpful to you in praying and giving.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are setting a goal to raise $150,000 to provide pre-field training for the 10 households we plan to launch by the end of 2025. You can click the button below to start preparing the way for these missionaries! In the last six months of 2023 we will be ramping to celebrate what God has done these past 60 years and anticipate what he will do. Look out for more information coming soon to get involved.

Because of Christ,

Stan Leach
Executive Director

The post EFM Summer Update 2023 first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Would you please join us in special prayer for a unique gathering about missionary sending that will be happening in Kibimba, Burundi over the next week? Some people have already started their journeys, others will travel on Friday, the 21st. The gathering is being called the Central African Missions-Sending Learning Conference begin on Saturday, April 22 and go through Friday evening, April 28. This is truly an International gathering as it will include church leaders from Burundi, Congo, El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States.

We are so thankful that Brad’s parents could come out for a visit and that they will be with Chelsea and the kids while Brad is on this trip.

In Him,
Brad & Chelsea
Sarai, Gideon, and Ian

The post The Carpenter Family- Africa Missions Conference! first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Each year we prepare an annual report for the representatives of those yearly meetings/regions that meet during the summer. We call it the “Summer Update.” Through this post we are sharing the EFM Summer 2021 Update.

We are sharing this report with you because of your interest in and support for the ministries of EFM. We pray that the report will not only help to keep you informed but that it will also be helpful to you in praying and giving. There is an important announcement on the first page of this report that reminds us that missions is not just about praying and giving, however. It’s also about going! May you be open to the ways in which the Lord is leading you to be part of the answer to the prayer for more workers in his harvest fields.

Click here to read.

The post EFM Summer 2021 Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.