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International Interns’ Global Empowerment Ministries division,
also known as GEM, is full of excitement at the opportunities God has
presented. GEM seeks to empower people by facilitating the start-up of
business enterprises in the national settings in which it serves. GEM’s
strategy is two-fold: first, by assisting in forming Christian led businesses,
GEM helps the poor of Eastern Europe to care for themselves. Secondly,
GEM teaches biblical principles that encourage the nationals to invest
in the support of their own pastors and ministries of their churches,
including the training of future church leaders.
Not too long ago the people of Eastern Europe, including Moldova, lived
under the hammer and sickle of Communism. Now, thanks in part to GEM,
they are learning the challenges and advantages of the free market economy.
Along with that, many nonbelievers will become Christians, because they’ll
see the benefits of a Christ-centered life, full of joy and confidence
in where they are going to spend Eternity.
Just a little effort goes a long way in helping people transition from
total dependence on the “old ways” to self supporting, God-reliant
independence. The GEM program seeks to provide financial freedom and
a sense of eternal value in Christ.
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PROJECTS
One of the first Global Empowerment Ministries projects undertaken
is located in the tiny and very poor country of Moldova. This land-locked
country happens to be blessed with wonderfully rich and fertile
soil. This distinction makes “agri-business” the ideal
start-up for this region. GEM had the privilege of assisting a
group of believers in launching a farm-based co-op in southern
Moldova, which was set up under the accountability of a strong
Christian church and its pastor.
Being able to tend their fields much more quickly with modern machinery,
the co-op members were soon in the position to “hire out” their
services to other area farmers. Under the guidance of Pastor Stepan
Staucean and his project director, the Association began paying back
the loan and making plans to increase their profits in the next growing
season. Generous-spirited investment by GEM partners in the USA encouraged
these nationals to reach for their dreams and significantly improve
their personal and collective God dependence. |
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IMPACT
International Interns’ goal is to help fulfill the Great
Commission by planting churches, and training and equipping national
leaders to fill the need for new pastors. The Leadership Development
Institute, also known as the LDI, was formed to empower these Christians
through a three-year training course taught by National and American
teachers and mentors utilizing a comprehensive curriculum. The
funding for this remarkable program comes in part from the profits
of Global Empowerment Ministries’ Farm Project. Proceeds
from the harvests, in the form of tithes and offerings, go towards
training church planting pastors, youth workers, Christian educators,
evangelists and missions minded leaders.
GEM's Farm co-op Board and members can see the results of their
labors in a physical harvest of crops, and in a spiritual harvest
of souls. International Interns, through its GEM and LDI divisions,
is currently working with a people group in Moldova called the
Gagauz that hold much potential for missionary outreach. With a
Turkic background and similar language, the Gagauz are the key
to evangelizing their distant cousins in Turkey. Sponsored by GEM
profits and trained through the LDI, Gagauz Christians are being
used in Turkey, Crimea, and Central Asia to reach Turks and Tatars
for Christ. GEM harvests yield lasting fruit.
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