GHI Spring Newsletter 2025 – Adapting to Change

By Trudy Barsness | March 25, 2025

Dear Friends,

Spring is on the horizon! While the flowers are not yet blooming here in Minnesota, we know they are on the way. There may be more snow, but the longer days of sunshine feel hopeful. As we anticipate these changes, we also navigate shifts in our world. In this edition, Rev. Herb Klem reflects on cultural change, both in the Bible and in our present time.

Here's what you will find in our Spring Newsletter:

Adapting to Rapid Change - Insights from Rev. Herb Klem
A New Project - Pochalla Hope Church
Partner Highlights from 2024 - transforming communities

We hope these stories encourage and inspire you!

Adapting to Rapid Change

We live in times of rapid social and political change, which can make us fearful. AI is exploding with new options for us every day. Social media constantly demands our attention. Turn on the news and we see ever changing politics. In this fast-paced changing world, where is God?

God is not surprised by change. Throughout history God has guided individuals and nations through uncertainty. There are thousands of promises in the Bible which remind us that God who created billions of atoms and all the stars also loves each of us and will always be with us.

In Genesis, 3,000 years ago, God called Abraham to trust Him both as an individual and father of a nation meant to bless all nations. He was a simple tribal leader who knew about sheep and faced raids from thieves, who captured his nephew. Through it all God stood by Abraham, forgave him of his sins and helped him ally with other kings to save his family. Abraham’s faith was personal, shared within the community, and known within his nation.

From Abraham to Moses and the times of Jesus, change was constant. In the Old Testament, scholars think up to a million Israelites left Egypt to escape slavery, oppression and genocide. The Bible’s early stories often feature people navigating cultural upheaval, tragedy, and spiritual growth. Yet, God’s love was steady, even when people or nations messed up.

The early church also wrestled with change. Acts shows the tension as Jewish believers struggled to accept Gentiles. The salvation offered through Jesus was for all people—a truth that challenged cultural and religious norms. Today’s multicultural world is more accepting of cultural diversity. As churches grow and evolve, debates continue about whether these shifts are reform or a return to the original message.

How we communicate is changing as church services are available online, there are Bible apps on our phones, and other platforms like podcasts and texting shape how we engage with faith. Our young people, like early Gentile believers, plead for change—or simply leave.

At GHI, we began as four professors working with international students, focusing on ethnic reconciliation as central to the gospel. Today, we navigate rapid cultural and economic changes, evolving communication styles, and new social structures. Our diverse board helps us address these challenges as we expand our donor base and seek your input. We thank you and God as you who have supported these new ministries with us.

The point of this is that through God’s whole story from Abraham to today, change is wild, traumatic. God still loves all of us - each of us - as individuals and as nations. Let us trust our savior and keep our mind on the wonderful promises of God.

Pochalla Hope Church

South Sudan has long faced conflict, war, and poverty—circumstances that have left many in need of hope and reconciliation.

Pastor Jay Omot knows this struggle firsthand. Forced to flee South Sudan as a refugee of war in the 1990s, he eventually moved to Minnesota. Years later he returned to his home of origin in Pochalla, South Sudan, and found the Christian church meeting under a tree. With deep conviction to have a sustainable place of worship for this rural farming community, Jay created partnerships that led to the construction of a permanent church in Pochalla.

Pochalla Hope Church is an indigenous-led ministry, served by a local Evangelist, ensuring the church grows within the community it serves. The church building itself serves in multiple capacities as a hub for community support, hosting groups such as visiting medical teams providing essential healthcare.

The project's mission is to expand into underserved rural areas, to establish churches and spread the Word of God, transforming lives.

Learn more: globalhz.org/pochalla-hope-church

Partner Project Highlights from 2024
Your support is transforming communities!

Iriba Shalom (Rwanda)

Celebrated 10 years of ministry bringing healing and reconciliation for families affected by genocide.

Opened a senior's home for widows

150 children and families have been sponsored to date

20 Young adults trained in IT skills

Youngster for Christ (Kenya)
38,445 people heard the Gospel
3 new churches planted
1,300 girls participated in the ambassador program
56 new home Bible study groups launched

Institute for Faith & Gender Empowerment (Kenya)
1,500 youth reached with sexual reproductive health education
68 gender-based violence cases receiving legal advocacy
100 religious leaders trained in reproductive health dialogue
300 people attended a health camp for cancer screenings, family planning & HIV testing

More 2024 Impact Across the Globe...

Church Leadership Training – Thousands trained in Asia, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya & the US.

Children’s Ministry – Thousands of children heard the Gospel in Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, Zambia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Cambodia, Thailand, Kenya & the US.

Christian Education – Over 1,300 students enrolled in K-12 schools in India, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda & Ghana.

Vocational Training & Micro-Businesses – Hundreds (many single mothers & widows) trained or started small businesses in Uganda, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Rwanda & Kenya.

And there’s so much more! Visit our "Projects" page and check out our newsletter updates for more stories of impact.
Partner Projects: globalhz.org/projects