2011 Christmas Offering
Pakistan is the sixth biggest country in the world (185 million people) with the second biggest Muslim population of any country. 96% of Pakistanis are Muslims. Operation World says that “few countries, if any, present a greater challenge for missions” than Pakistan.
Yet one of the rays of hope is that there are perhaps 1 million evangelical Christians in Pakistan. We believe that one of the best ways to reach Pakistan is to train leaders from this group of believers to reach their own country.
Zarephath Bible Institute (ZBI) exists for this very reason, to train Pakistanis on Pakistani soil to reach Pakistan for Christ. This is the Bible school where our own Global Outreach Pastor, Nate Irwin, taught and served as principal for 8 years. Shortly before the Irwins had to leave Pakistan for medical reasons, a 7½ acre plot of land was purchased in the capital of Islamabad so that ZBI could move into the city from its rural location. Our 2011 Christmas Offering will go towards the development of this campus.
Quick Summary of Zarephath Bible Institute
- ZBI trains national Pakistanis to reach Pakistan with the gospel.
- ZBI offers Diploma, B.Th., and M.Div. programs.
- ZBI's goal is 100% growth in its student body through the campus construction.
- ZBI's 7.5 acre new site is located in the most strategic and growing area of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
- ZBI is now operating in rented facilities in the neighboring city of Rawalpindi.
- Pakistan is the 6th largest country in the world with a population of 185 million, but only 0.6% of these are evangelical Christians.
The College Park Church family will get to meet the current principal of ZBI on December 11, Naz Asif Khan, a Pakistani who taught alongside Nate during his years there. It is a sign of growth and strength to see the school in capable national hands and running well with 40 full-time students.
The Christmas Offering will be collected in the service on December 18 or you can give online. Plan and prepare to invest in the training of leaders to reach this very needy land!
Click here for Christmas Offering FAQ's.