Partnering with Middle East Missionaries
This month, I, Holly, want to share about a dear woman, Isabella Martinelli Azeez. I have known her since 2006, when I joined the Regional Leadership Team and served alongside her father in campus ministry for eight years.
When Isabella was only 12, she started a ministry at her church to raise money to send Bibles to places where Bibles were illegal. Her heart has always been for the lost. She went to college and served with Cru overseas in the Middle East for a few years. There, she met her husband, and they share a passion to reach the Middle East with the gospel. Here is a note from Isabella about her ministry:
My passion is that everyone would have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and to know about the relationship God extends to us through Jesus!
While I was in college in Chicago, I began volunteering with Cru to reach out to international students and those from Middle Eastern backgrounds. Through these experiences, my love for Middle Eastern people groups and culture grew.
When I graduated from university, I interned with Cru for two years in the Middle East and afterward felt called to return to this area of the world long-term. Even in these closed spaces, people's hearts are still yearning for redemption, hope, and salvation. Yet, many do not have the opportunity to hear about the hope of Christ!
I live in a country where 98% of the population is considered unreached, meaning they have no access to learning about Jesus, whether through friends or other resources. However, today there is a unique window of opportunity to reach the Middle East through university students. They are the next generation of leaders in their communities and are among the most reachable and open to Christ!
My prayer is that these students might have the opportunity to explore the truth of Christ, grow in Him, and influence and reach their own communities for Jesus! However, this work cannot be done alone! I have the privilege of inviting people to partner with me in a variety of ways to make this work possible. If you would like to hear more, I would love to connect with you!
Isabella needs to raise $1,300 in monthly support, and because of her location, she has no way to connect with other believers to share about her ministry. Although Matt and I also raise support, we think it is important to occasionally share with you the people we personally support each month and to encourage you to pray about doing the same. We call it “diversifying for God’s kingdom” by financially supporting missionaries all over the world. We have seen that as we give by faith to missions, God always provides for us and our ministry needs. Thank you for your prayers and support for us, and for considering helping Isabella with her financial needs to reach future leaders in the Middle East.
Give a special gift to Isabella
or join her ministry monthly
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Personal Update
We are so proud of Carter and Briella for maintaining their grades in school. Carter has been asked to lead his class in a Bible study, and he enjoys facilitating our kids' small group on Monday nights at our house. We are encouraged by his leadership and desire to invite kids to the group.
Briella received a special award as one who “Esteems others in Need.” This award led us to talk through her spiritual gifts of mercy and helps and how great she does at encouraging and shepherding her peers. She said, “I just LOVE how God has given me these gifts to use with others!” We can’t wait to see what God will do with both of their lives as they continue to grow in Him.
Matt is juggling different ministry websites for the campus ministry and is hoping to complete them before he takes a sabbatical from mid-June to mid-August. Please pray for wisdom as he focuses on those and for a restful sabbatical coming up.
Holly has her next (and final) seminary class for her Doctorate of Ministry on May 11-15th, then she will begin focusing on her thesis over the summer.
Thank you for your prayers for us and our personal ministry needs. We now only need $220 in monthly support to meet our budgeted needs. If you feel so inclined to increase your support or begin supporting us, we would gladly appreciate it!
