Central Church of God
5301 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270
Middle East
Due to many of the countries in the Middle East being closed to the Gospel, we are very restricted in what can be openly shared about the ministries and people Central supports. However, Central is very active in its support and outreach in both the Jewish and Muslim world and is committed to supporting both our brothers and sisters who live and work in this region, as well as reaching out with the Gospel to the lost.
Information that can be shared and the countries we are involved in are listed below:
Israel and the West Bank
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Syria
ISRAEL
Central has been supporting ministries that reach out to the Jewish people for many years. We are committed to sharing the Good News that the Messiah has come in the person of Jesus Christ and we support many Messianic congregations and people who work in the Jewish community.
West Bank
Central Church also supports and has been partnering with several Christian ministries in the West Bank who are reaching out and ministering to the Palestinian people through many different programs, including discipleship and mercy ministries. Central Church is also involved in helping to raise awareness of who the Palestinian people are, God's heart for them and how the Body of Christ can get involved in reaching out to them with the love of Jesus Christ. One fourth (25%) of all worldwide refugees are Palestinians, which makes up the single largest people group block of refugees in the world according to the United Nations. Among Palestinians, 99% are Muslims and the church there has been under tremendous pressure due to the on-going conflict. We are committed to standing side-by-side with our brothers and sisters in the Palestinian territories and demonstrating God's unity and love through practical ministry.
Please continue to pray for both the Jewish and Palestinian people.
Global Vision Outreach
Central Church has been involved in the outreach and teaching ministry of Dr. Randall Smith since 1996. Our entire church has been blessed by Dr. Smith's (Randy) extensive knowledge and ministy of the Middle East and Randy has spoken several times at Central as well as leading teaching excursions for many of our short-term teams that have served in Israel.Randy is the founder of Global Vision Outreach, Inc., a small mission with a big heart! At the core of this dynamic ministry is their commitment to the call to “make disciples that make disciples”. Global Vision Outreach began as a relief work during the “second uprising” in the West Bank while Randy and his family were living on the edge of Jerusalem. Their home overlooked Bethlehem and Beth Jala, two Arab villages that were overtaken by small bands of armed young men from Gaza and other outlying areas that launched attacks on the Israeli community from the village. The Israeli army answered these attacks, and a low grade war developed that devastated the villagers. Arabs and Jews were being hurt. Randy and his wife, Dottie, were certain that God did not want them to just stand idly by. They began helping families on both sides of the conflict, caring for them as Jesus would have. They sought the Lord to provide funds for food and medicines and over the years the ministry has continued to grow, but to many other kinds of outreaches as well.
From those early days Global Vision Outreach has grown to assisting other sister missions with a variety of ministries. Their main ministry has been to develop both Bible teaching materials as well as the training and raising up of young leaders through the Great Commission Bible Institute. One aspect of this training is to send these young people to various parts of the world to aid ministries and expose them to the possibility of God’s call in their lives.
Global Vision Outreach continues to have an outreach into Israel, through their partnering with a handful of ministry leaders that are working to establish greater work among the homeless. The ministry also contributes to individuals and families that have special needs, particularly in the believing community. Their outreach partnership with Jerusalem Ministries has extended their reach into Arab communities of the West Bank. This young and forward thinking Arab group is taking the Gospel into places they cannot go, so Global Vision Outreach supports them with prayer, funds and direction. The outreach has been incredible!